ITALY 4th November- Rome - Sorrento- beauty too hard to describe and twists and turns down the hill

Up hideously early which I began to realise might be the norm :( and headed to the Vatican, a city in a city (it's actually it's own country) to the museum. Devices in our ears I have to begrudgingly say two things. It was nice being in a tour group that pre ordered tickets and organised a time for us to enter in front of the crowds that were already lined up, and I can (begrudgingly, yes I repeat myself) say it was good getting there early.

We followed our local tour guide Christina from the day before. She was great, good humoured without being cheesy, though I still could do without the 'watch the tricky step' aka crack in the pavement. We were walked through the courtyard with statuses, ruins, gardens, through rooms filled with ornate artefacts, tapestries handwoven over years, sculptures, paintings, frescoes and jewels. We were also given a sneak peak look at a set of stairs previously unopened that was used as the Pope's private stairwell. It's really too hard to even describe the nature of these amazing pieces, I just don't think I'd do them justice. We ended the tour by walking through the Sistine Chapel. It was incredible especially once we had had an explanations about the certain stories and little nuances that Michael Angelo included. 

We bid our tour farewell and got back on the bus. We travelled for quite a while until stopping at a cemetery that commemorated many of soldiers who died during wartimes. By this stage we had been going quite a while since breakfast and there seemed to be no break or food in sight. The troops were getting restless and I was quite concerned that some of the older group participants may laps into diabetic comas lol...but seriously it wasn't planned all that well. About half an hour later we arrived at a truck stop where we were given copious amounts of instructions and a word of warning...that if they throw a cappuccino at you just laugh a they do it to everyone...WTF!!! 

Well the experience wasn't as bad as that but wasn't far off. The staff there certainly didn't look like they got a lot of job satisfaction, nor cared about delivering the right meals to the right customers...one even had a little tantie and stormed off...ahhhh the passion of the Italians lol. Anyway we all got something and stocked up for future bus trips.

We finally arrived in the area of Sorrento where we got on smaller buses to head down to the Amulfi Coast. Our bus driver was cute!! And instead of our usual tour leader Letizia we had Dan give us some info about the area, as he had lived there for a period of time a while ago. He was quite entertaining. We stopped for photos and I was offered a uncovered sugar coated almond by aforementioned cute driver, whilst trying to be polite and decline, he was quite persistent.... I think by accepting the almond I now maybe engaged lol.

After lots of twists and turns down a beautiful coast line we arrived at Positano. It was a gorgeous sea side down, nestled into the coastline of the Amulfi Coast. We had free time so Letizia helped me find a cafe that the Aussie cinque terre team had recommended. I and a few followers traced the streets down to the beach where we found a great cafe. I said hello on behalf of the girls to their favourite waiter and settled in for a drink of lemoncello. Yum! The sun was setting and the lights were slowly coming on in the town. It was lovely definitely a place I could see coming back to.

Returned winding back to Sorrento, hotel johanna and got ready for a group dinner in the hotel. The wine flowed freely as did the conversation with my mate Sharyn and two other Australians, older ladies but lovely and two American ladies who were younger than the other pensioners and good value. Along with friendly service to compensate for earlier in the day, I wet to bed happy and full.

ITALY 3rd November- Rome first day of watch that tricky step....

Ok so I feel remiss not to have elaborated on my WTF moment about my new travel family  forgive  me for some poetic licence to keep you in suspense. 

No word of a lie, last night when I looked around I thought I was probably the youngest by a good 30 years, really truly everyone I saw around was at least 65!!!! Getting on the bus for the first time all I heard around me was 'gee those steps are steep, watch my knees, huff puff' ..... Are you kidding me???????? What's worse is it was all said with heavy American accents. Now please excuse the total stereotypes about Americans also given I had just spent the last 10 days with 8 absolutely amazing fabulous Americas but seriously!!!!!!!! To steal Georgia's line I thought perhaps I'd gotten on the wrong bus heading for a retirement hm! 

Last night we went to dinner and I did sit on a table with a mother daughter from Australia and another lady called Sharyn from Australia, along with two guys and an older American couple. Dinner was ok and I was just hopping that I could at least hang with the Aussies to keep me sane, hopping to god that I got on with them and they were my kind of people. The food was nice and Letizia was careful to ensure I was served only what I could eat. There were lots of instructions and I did go to bed furiously texting anyone who was up relaying the hell I was in, and begging if anyone knew anyone In Italy who I could at least hang  out with during the evenings. I guess what was hard was the stark contrast between this group and my last travelling buddies. Young, friendly, same ideas about holidays, positive outlook..and now this seemed to be entire opposite. Fortunately or unfortunately my expectations were high.

So the next day with a little foreboding I went up to breakfast and got on the bus. It was really early, about 7:40. The early start paid off though as we got to Saint peters cathedral / Vatican well before any of the lines. I guess that was the benefit being in a tour group is that pre bookings could b organised and thus lines could be skipped. It was on the way here that we got our first talking to about soft hands and gypsies. We were told not to worry but.... Suffice it to say we all got off the bus bags positioned at our fronts and gripping them tightly lol. We were also told about seat rotation.... Sorry say that again... Yes we were told that we would b sitting next to whomever we were sitting next to and then rotated around the bus so no one got too attached to their seats or hogged the 'best' seats. Really??? Are we in primary school??? Writing this blog a little later than I had intended,  I totally understand why it was necessary, not so much for the tour guide to be in control and baby us, but more so due to the demographic of the people on the tour. We would be thankful later. Also was thankful that atbthe time of seat rotation deciding i was sitting alone, which meNt two seats to myself on the bus the whole time!!! Score! Also at this time we were given our bright orange devices, as they were called. Little radio, that tuned into a frequency so we could walk along and hear our tour guides.... Can anyone say obvious tourist?

 

We walked into Saint Peters Basilica, it was breathtaking. It was here I began to realise the scope and history of the country I was visiting. It was grand and awesome is the only word I can use to describe it. Now you will have to excuse my lack of intimate knowledge or even understanding of the religious or even historic significance of many if the places I visited. I listened attentively but lack background knowledge. That said I still wholeheartedly appreciated the absolute beauty, history and importance of these places. I respected that what I was seeing, experiencing, touching and walking through were monumentally important in the development of a country, it's people and all that goes with it. Saint Peters Basilica was massive. I walked around trying to absorb where I was. I often like to touch the marble pylons and try to imagine what they had been witness to over the hundreds and hundreds of years. Besides thinking I wanted to get out the hand sanitizer I tried to fathom who else over the years had touched and been apart of this amazing place. 

After this we all went to the 'smile room' aka toilet Letizia liked to call it. This was the first of many times I waited waited waited in line for the loo. You can take the lines out of the attractions but you can't take the women out of the line to the toilet....no matter where we were this became a part of everyday touring life!! This occurred every 2 or so hours...so I have seriously trained my bladder in a bad way! I would have to laugh that as we were walking around our local guide would tell us to watch out for the tricky step... It was a crack in the pavement no lie - seriously ... Traveling with pensioners who could break a hip!!!

I had already begun to team up with Sharyn and then Georgia and her mum Kerri- all Australian. It was nice having a little group of like minded people, same sense of humour who understood the looks of dismay when we heard most of the other tour people complaining. 

From St Peters we went onto the colosseum, not before having a group photo... So cheesy you could spread it on a cracker and I was thinking would I want to remember all of these people?

The Colosseum was spectacular, such a huge structure and so advanced for its time. It was designed with retractable shade and the ability to flood the grounds so ships could sail and compete. So amazing to think stories like gladiator actually occurred here... Yes I realise my references to historical events are a bit suspect lol. Sharyn and I climbed to the top storie and got a wonderful view, even better because most of out tour group couldn't make it up the stairs lol you gotta laugh !!!!

We headed back and had a few hours off to get lunch. Sharyn Georgia Kerri and I headed back to the restaurant we went to the night before which in actually fact was just around the block even though we travelled there by bus the night before. It was a nice lunch and we all chatted easily, it was great to have these gals, certainly would keep me sane. 

After a few hours Sharyn and I opted to do the optional walking tour of Rome's sites. We headed devices in ear to the Trevi Fountain and threw a coin, left hand over right shoulder which apparently makes your wish come true. I think it was one coin to return to Rome, two to find love, three for divorce hahaha, not telling you how many I threw in!

We walked around with our guide for about two more hours and saw all sorts off ancient pylons transported by ship, by slaves, by horses from Egypt. We went to the Pantheon, and various other small churches and sites. Our guide was great and told us little stories along the way. One if which was a famous sculpture was commissioned to do a  work for a wealthy statement who he hated but was forced to do the work anyway. The artist was forced to make create a marble elephant. His big 'screw you' to his employer was to position the elephant with his behind facing his employers house and the elephants tail swishing to one side showing off another part of his anatomy lol

We ended the tour in a big piazza. We went to a recommended restaurant....we were given a yes no list of those in the square. Dinner was nice but everyone else was also there, perhaps next time it would be good to break out a bit. Ended the evening with chocolate and pineapple gelato.... Well when in Rome!!

ITALY 2nd November- gear up, highs and lows of my new family for the next 13 days

ITALY

2nd November- gear up, highs and lows of my new family for the next 13 days

I had organised a taxi to the trains station to make my life easier...something I hadn't done or known how to do initially. My feeling is while traveling alone, if you can make it easier and less stressful on yourself why not.

Got on the regional train without incident. Arrived at La Spezia, much more user friendly in the morning not as many weirdos as last time I was there. I had an hr to wait it out so I had a very exciting regime of walk sit, look at time time, toilet repeat lol. Got on the next train, at least knowing the whole carriage seat business...or so I thought. I walked down the platform until my coach, which was the last on the tran. Got on to be faced wi the little train compartments you can travel in. Whereas before it was an open carriage with seats facing front and back this was our own little box of 6 people trying not to look at each other, even though there is no where else to look, breathing each others air for the next 4 hrs ewwwww....uncomfortable much??? There was one girl who got on a couple of stops after me who had more luggage than even me with all of my luggage!!! Obviously leaving or moving as she was crying. It's so strange that you get to witness all of these people's lives and stories, albeit from the outside.... But everyone has a story. 

Sat in the train for four hrs and arrived bk in Rome. Caught a cab and arrived bk at my original hotel. As I checked in I met my tour director Letizia, a very effervescent, cheery Italian. She gave me my room key and I asked with baited breath who my roommate would be...... 'Roommate?' She replied..... Pregnant pause ' you have no roommate...you can have your own shoe box to yourself' Woooooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo, YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! I can't tell you how  happy I was. I had mentally prepared to share a bathroom and sleeping quarters with a stranger... Was almost about to go buy ear plugs, to do the Houdini change of clothes, no more naked dashes from bedroom to bathroom ....but now I didn't have to deal with any of that...just me and my mess. !! SCORE!!!! I practically skipped to my room

We had to be downstairs to go for dinner in a few hours so I took the opportunity to go to a supermarket I had passed a few before- even found it wilt fuss. It is a,Ali g how you can actually exist without talking. Cab driver, just show him the business card of the place I wanted to go, supermarket just present credit card...quite easy to do, just smile and shrug and most people will start miming to help you. 

I walked down dressed and ready for dinner to walk head on into my tour group.....

FUCK.... SHIT..... What have I just signed up for????????

ITALY 8th November Venice- falling in love

Woke up feeling really excited to get out to explore and get to know my crush. 

Great breakfast and ran upstarts to put on some more clothes as its finally getting a bit nippy. Came downstairs to unusual calm... Took me a second to realise what was wrong with this picture.... Shit the group??? Quickly asked the desk the direction of the group and headed off with purpose but surprisingly without panic. Walked dodging and weaving the crowds until I saw a happy sight.... Some lagging huffing and puffing pensioners. Never been so happy to be on 60s travel tour 2013!!! Not sure you will hear me saying that again! Lol

We caught a boat to island of Burano to see glass blowing. We passed mansions apparently filled with the rich and famous. It's so amazing to see the little speed boats docked right up to the garden behind high walls. 

Arrived at a pretty shmick looking glass blowing operation, complete with very stylishly dressed Italian men- highly groomed scarves that only European men can pull off. Saw a demonstration of glass blowing - vase and horse. Quite impressive. Then we were shepherded through the showroom to apparently be shown some more techniques. Despite the ' I'm not trying to sell you anything' preamble that it what it ended up being. Still we got to wander around the store/ showroom and look some of amazing pieces. If only I could carry them home, fit them in my suitcase, oh and of course afford them... Very pricey

Left the showroom and went back to St Marks square. After being told repeatedly and ad nauseum  where to meet back we were introduced to another local tour guide. She took is around the small windy streets of Venice. Nice to be shown small treasures but really I can't say I was listening as attentively as usual I was just trying to soak up the atmosphere, and keep pinching myself about where I was. We ended back at St Marks church and had a look around. Beautifully decorated in glass mosaics. Sparkling in gold and jewels. Sometimes in these places I need to remind myself to really look individually at the pictures rather than just getting overwhelmed by the intricacies. In the past churches were used to educate the masses about religious ideas as most people were illiterate. FYI- some of those pictures are quite gruesome! 

One the tour was completed we were given FREE TIME!!!! Woo Hoo!!! No annoying Americans until the next day. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Kerri, Georgia Sharon and myself were lie bloodhounds trying to find a toilet and coffee. Ended up in Hard Rock Cafe of all places. Very touristy I realise but at that stage we were excited to sit and be greeted with a smile. Some of the service in Italian has been a bit of the frosty side, especially compared to Croatia. Not a huge or really any type of complaint but more an observation

Sat, chatted and ate. Was still feeling a bit crappy but pushed on. We then got our shop on!!! I was trying hard to not impulse buy or buy little bits of crap Sharon and I split from Georgia and Kerri and searched, ahhhhed and wowed our way through many glass stores. I made some lovely purchases but gee money is easy to spend when surrounded by such beauty. 

Only got bk to the hotel at about 6:45, when it was beginning to rain. 6 hrs of shopping not bad!! Glad I have been in shopping training for so long lol lol. I was very impressed when shagrin said I was so good with directions. WTF!!!! Lol I wanted her to repeat that so I could record it. We didn't get lost once!! And I found sits pretty easy to find which was good. 

We all reconvened and had a lively but inexpensive dinner. Had two American guys and Gail join and it was funny reminiscing about certain travelling individuals. Roger and Wendell relatively conservative and I wonder what they actually thought of loud, sarcastic Australians. Not sure they got our humour which made us laugh even more. 

After dinner went searching I the jewish ghetto / quarter. Eventually found it with Gail, the others had peeled off to bed. Wandered around a little but couldn't see much in the dark. Glad I at least went it would have been nice to see more of it, but it was just too hard as we were making our way bk from St Marks. 

Then to bed to cough cough swallow swallow. 

ITALY 13th November - Siena drive to Rome, ending of the tour

Got up packed, fought the queues to breakfast with SOY MILK!!! Wasn't going to miss it two days in a row.

Boarded the bus, well for the first time in the whole tour I had to knock on the closed door...seriously was only two minutes past leaving time! I swear!!

We drove to a look out point above Florence and took some photos of the city and a copy of Michael Angelo and his bum...what a nice sight to see early in the morning...lol we also took a group photo to help trafalgar support Movember.....so poor Europe also being subjected to porn star handlebar moustaches...the month where no woman wants to pick up!!! Hehehe

Drove for a while and stopped at the obligatory truck stop where I think I resisted and didn't buy another set of almond cookies...yes I have seems to have started to stockpile some emergency food...for non emergencies...opps.

Arrived in Sienna for a few hours. Walked along the winding streets with the group. It's a great place, one way in one way out and as a result suffered majorly during the Plague days. It is also the location for a major horse race once a year known as The Palio di Siena (known locally simply as Il Palio). Ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen contrade, or city wards. They have flags sold all over the town with the ward colours. Some people wouldn't even place two rival ward flags in the same bag.... Now that's some serious commitment. Georgia was very passionate about this town and had been looking forward to it the whole trip. We found a nice cafe on the edge of the piazza/ square which is of course not a square at all.  Nice chats amongst the gals, also in the back of mind hearing the clock ticking for our time together. Very expensive coffee mind you! George is quite passionate about Romeo and Juliet and has a theory well researched that the story actually happened in Sienna not Verona. There is some evidence that says Shakespeare based his love story of two rival families on the rivalry between wards in the Sienna province. 

We had to be on time as at 2pm we were not allowed to drive the bus through the town due to school hours and restrictions. So we were all dutifully waiti g for Salvatore to return. We were all accounted for except for one... Dina or she was known as  Ms Complainalot in previous posts. Her friend though that's a very loose term had no idea where she was and was pretty much unhelpful. We waited, the police arrived, Letizia and Salvatore got us 5 more minutes .... Eventually she rounded the corner and arrived. To be honest while I find her unbearable especially in the morning with her back cloud of doom, I felt really bad for her. She obviously was not coping with this oversea travel, losing things left right and centre, anxious, nervous, not sleeping  at times she didn't even look like she wanted to be there. I felt sorry for her, especially considering the person she came with doesn't even look like she talks to her anymore. 

Crisis over we headed back to Rome. A bit of admin on the way... Filling out or trafalgar survey. Letizia gave us a bit of a lecture on how to fill it out and what ratings meant. I think our little group of friends filled it out very positively to counteract other surveys as we knew that there were going to be some unnecessarily negative responses.  

We arrived at a different hotel then where we started at the beginning of the tour. Had a little while to get organised before an early final dinner. While I was getting ready I had at all familiar wobbly feeling return. The feeling that it was all coming to an end, that I would once again on my ow having to start again, having to make friends or eat alone, do the whole 'hi I'm stace blah blah blah' I was going to miss everyone. 

We all wore some of our new wares, I tried out my new leather jacket from Florence and glass earrings and ring from Venice....how very European of me! Lol lots of people likes my jacket and had a feel... That sounds weird but was quite pleasant... Weirder still lol

We had a lovely dinner. Probably the last 4 course, endless wine, dinner I would have in Italy...I have gotten quite used to it .   The staff were every helpful, making me individual meals for my annoying requirements...have to say their cuteness helped too lol. Georgia made a speech from her to thank Letizia and Salvatore, which was heartfelt and beautifully delivered. We had debated if she should do it on behalf of the whole group but due to the somewhat chilly response and attitudes of some we thought just coming from her perspective would be better received. 

Headed bk to our last hotel and polished off another bottle of wine with many laughs and strange looks from other hotel patrons. Letizia came to sit with us for a while and told us some more stories of horrid Americans and what was going on behind the scenes. Poor thing...hard gig. It sounds  like this was one of her harder groups.