Day 9 Getting To Rome

Due to the lack of watch or phone I asked the night watchman (on day 8) to knock on my door at 6:30 a.m. so I could make the 7:30 bus to the Figline station. I'm pretty sure he thought it an odd request but he agreed pleasantly enough.

On the night of day 8, I wondered if the night watchman would remember me - I should have had more faith in him because he came ah knocking at what I presumed to be 6:30. Ah! Lovely Man! After waking I gathered my things, headed to the pick up area, and realized that the bus was scheduled to leave at 8:30. Sweet. Instead of minding, I was happy that I had one more hour to sit at the terrace with a coffee and write.

At Florence I had a few hours to burn before my train to Rome - I went for lunch, walked about, bought soap from Lush, (def over rated) and asked strangers to take pictures of me. As you can tell the day had gone quite smoothly until the boarding of the train to Rome. I'm going to have to go back to my journal for this - as I will be doing from here on - My written memories are more exact.

Side note: Florence is beautiful - but there aren't a ton of young people there - lots of middle aged and plus.

5/22/09

"I'm trying to calm down - Fucking Italian men - This guy attempted to take my seat - It's obvious that it's mine, my things are strewn all over the table! And still he asks where - where! An old 60+ guy attempted to cut me in line! I didn't allow him! But I'm âppauled that he tried! Three or so youngish men sat on the station steps and placidly watched as I struggled to pull my bag up the stairs! What the Fuck!"

These three incidents happened one after the other. The first two caused my hair to raise a bit, but I was able to exhale deeply and forget about it, that is until the third. Now, the first two speak for the,selves, but the last one was insane. On route from home to JFK airport eight, count 'em eight men assisted with my bags - and if we want to get specific about it - I didn't lift my bag once on the way to the airport. Yet, when I drag my bag one step at a time up a flight of steps, a handful of Italians simply sat there and watched? It was border line perverse and I came close to yelling out - Pick up this bag right now! I said it in my head the way my mother would - I've observed that about myself a lot lately, when I'm pissed I speak like an angry Brazilian woman, but in English.  It's funny if I think about it.

Anyway, getting back to Rome. I got there quick, the EuroStar will do that. Rome's central station was as busy as Penn - I took a cab to the hotel at which the tour group had been herded to. When I got there I had this sense of....I did it!!! But that feeling didn't last very long since Claudia said, "Technically you're not supposed to eat because your trip is over- but there's plenty here so go for it." It took me a few moments to grasp that whole concept. In one sense I was free, on the other I had just arrived and had no idea where I was going to stay. Claudia had also mentioned that I could ask someone on the tour if I could crash in their room, rather then paying the night. So yes I asked the lovely Jenna if I could room with her and her mate - she said yes -

The night continued with lots of goodbyes - I finally learned tall guy with hat's name and guy with messy hair's name - It was a little sad - Maybe I'll share about it tomorrow - I'm getting off before this comp randomly shuts off again,- Don't ask. (Sorry Roeland haha)

Day 8

I awoke at 6 a.m. due to my room mate's return from I'd rather not say what. As she gathered her things she mumbled something in her Australian accent about, "are you getting up for breakfast - the bus leaves soon." I thought for a moment and responded, "Yeah I'm not coming."

She: "What?"

I: "Yeah I'll meet you guys in Rome."

She: "Are you sure?"

I : "Yup, I'm pretty sure I can catch a train in Florence."

She gives me a perplexed look.

She: "Are you really going to Rome?"
I: "Yesss, I'll see you there." (Laughing)

Once I made that decision I left our cabin in my PJs in search of our tour guide, Claudia. I explained to her that I would meet them in Rome - I had the address and number - She was agreeable enough about the whole thing - wait, what am I saying, she was pretty amazing about it actually. She gave me her e-mail address along with her number - we hugged in case by chance I couldn't find them, ha, and we said our farewells.

When I got around to it I rented a pedal bike to venture around the surrounding towns. Since the more populated areas were down the hill from us it was big fun gliding and steering my way, and trying not to get too close to the oncoming cars that were swerving around sharp corners. At one point I took a wrong turn and became lost - I stopped someone's old Italian Grandmother for directions for the "ciudad", but she couldn't understand my broken spanish phrases or the flailing of my arms, so I had to back track. When I got somewhere it was this little town called Figline - it does not sound how it's spelled. When the Italians say it sounds like: Feeema. (very long E) ........And now I have to rush a bit since I'm about to catch a train to Nice....(!) So Figline was perfect - it was the first location I had visited to that was not infested with tourists. No-one spoke English it was fabulous - not the best time to forget my Italian phrase book at the hotel but that's how my life tends to work out - I never have the things I need when I need them. When my stomach said food I found a secluded resty and sat alone with my journal - I ordered four cheese gnochhi that nearly made me cry it was so good. New York you were put to shame.

The return home wasn't big fun - up-hill in the dark is another story. I had to get off my bike four different times to walk it while listening to God's sound track of bats, frogs, crickets, and yelping dogs - It was a bit creepy, especially since I'm reading 'Dracula'. - Yet, I was so out of my element that I had to laugh....so I did.

Smile

I'm off.





Brendan........

So many kisses and hugs!!!!!!!!!!

Heart.

Me!

Day 7

Day 7 I woke up late!!!! It was the first morning of not rising at 7 a.m. since the morning I left for this crazy trip! It was a free day. We had the option of catching a bus into Florence for a walking tour, plus lunch, plus gelato, or staying at the resort to do as we saw fit. Of course I didn't get on the bus -- That would just be silly of me. I took up a table at the hotel restaurant, ordered brochette, and shouted in my journal until Kaan sat down to saw hello. My view: The pool and hmm the beautiful hills of Tuscany! Right choice? I think - Yes.

Kaan wanted to know what I was going to do about food since we both opted out of the tour dinner in Switzerland. (Kaan decided against it because he was tired of oohing and ahhing on que - I opted out of dinner because I opted out of most group activities. If I ever joined the military - I'd go A-wall in a week - I find it very hard to adhere to explicit directions. You say yes - I say no - you say yes, yes. I say Yes, no? (It's my most favorite game.) I told him about Za Za, this resty a friend from home suggested, he said yes, we looked up the address, took a map and went.

So good!!!! We had such a great time! I have to get my journal for details...."Emm it was so good and so was the convo. We spoke of lots, mostly relationship stuff. He's actually a quite decent guy - all most at the cusp of being a "nice guy," but not quite because he is courageous. When you stumble upon this - take it how it's meant. A huge complimenti!

When we got back everyone was at the hotel disco - I didn't really feel like going because I thought it chancy to try for further perfection. You have to know when to call it. But I went.

Once there I carefully avoided the Italian men that were dancing with their fists above their heads as if they had just won a champion soccer match, and went over to a lounge area, where I met these two English chaps, brothers, one 26, the other what 18? The eldest, G seemed sensible until he got on to the subject of 2012. Does anyone know what I'm talking about! He explained for over an hour how the world is going to go through this whole shifting/changing mode - and that money will be of no importance. Basically, he said the world is going to restart itself. Normally, I would stomp my right foot and argue the matter - but it all seemed to give him hope - which worried me a bit, so I smiled and played stupid and waited for the proper moment to escape. See what I mean about calling it?

Day 6

Day 6

Day 6 I spent 10 hours on a tour bus chatting with Kaan about odd subjects such as leg hair among other funny tidbits. I received a few death stares, or at least I thought I did, from B, since Kaan was spending most of his free time with yours truly. O well, tough - I was enjoying the company....that's all! (Jeez)

We arrived in Florence that night and I decided it best not to attempt to room with Kaan because B is a larger girl than I, and would probably kick my ass.
That night we had our first Italian dinner at which I arrived late to. I arrived late to nearly every group function. (I'm telling you, we were cattle being steered into every decision and activity down to the bathroom breaks. The whole thing thoroughly pissed me off.) The pasta was lovely, but the pizza was dry and did not meet my expectations. After dinner I passed Kaan and B as they were aggressively talking -- My guess was that it was probably about the bus ride, followed by us sitting together at dinner. What, it was the only seat left! All I could think of as I walked past was that I was glad I turned down his offer to rent mopeds and ditch the group for day 7. haha

Smile.