Right! So! Where was I? Um...ROME! Saw the pope, it was madness. We spent the rest of that day wandering around in the rain (it has now rained on me in every single city so far, and only at the most appropriate times...if that makes sense.) The next day I took off to Venice...I had NO idea what I was in for. People were telling me in Rome "Oh yeah! Carnival! All right!" and I agreed, but I really had no idea.
Carnival.
All right.
Arrived in Venice in the evening (about a 6/7 hour train ride from Rome). I had finally gotten to see the Italian countryside -- it's beautiful, and ranges from these beautiful rolling hills to mountains to impossibly flat valleys. Parts of it reminded me of Texas, actually.
The hostel I where I stayed was situated right on the Grand Canal, the canal which cuts through the center of the city. The first night I wandered up and down it, getting lost in the alley ways and trying to get myself oriented. Which proved to be impossible at night, and almost just as hard during the day (by the end though I think I had gotten the hang of it.) I saw a few small Carnival signs, but I wasn't out very late, and it was limited to hundreds of people wearing masks and just as many vendors trying to sell them.
The next day was the last day of Carnival...practically the PERFECT day to be in Venice. The whole day was nothing but celebrations, and I took the opportunity to do some REAL wandering in between the random marching bands and street performers and hoards of tourists and party-goers.
Venice really is one of the most fantastic places I've ever been. It's made up of over 110 islands and in between those are well over 400 bridges. There are no cars in the entire city, just at the end of the causeway where they are required to park (it would be impossible to drive through anyway). To get around quickly, you take a water taxi. It's a maze of narrow alleys, market squares, churches, canals, and bridges (really, that's pretty much all there is to it). And while it would have been nice to be there in the summer, winter definitely has it's appeal with the low cloud cover and the haze shrouding the tops of the taller monuments and churches.
That night I went to the end of Carnival...and WOW! It was without a doubt one of the highlights of this trip, if not my life. The Piazza San Marco, the largest square in Venice, was completely lit up with colored lights and patterns, and was FILLED with people. I got there around 10 o'clock, right as the last main band went on. It's hard to describe...but they were a sort of big band who danced...the sound was incredible and by the end of it the crowd had really loosened up and people were really beginning to celebrate (it was either the band or the fact that every other person had a bottle of wine in their hands). After the band, the crowd (which was really just MASSIVE) moved to the canal for the fireworks show. And let me tell you, while Italians may not be the most punctual of people, they know how to put on a show. The whole extravaganza was put to music blasted out over the crowd from these massive speakers. Some music (almost all easily identifiable english tunes which were fun to sing along to -- "Crazy little thing called love", and "Imagine" as an example. The best part (and part I will probably never forget) was El Tango Roxanne from Moulin Rouge. It's hard to describe if you haven't heard the song, but at the end, when the song reached it's climax, the sky just EXPLODED.
And so I caught the crowd home and went to bed.
The next day I went to Murano -- called the "Glass island" for good reason -- the glass from there is world famous and it's practically the only industry in Venice (or what is considered Venice) besides tourism. There are some beautiful trinkets there, and the island itself is less crowded than Venice, which makes it much more quaint. Also, there is no causeway to the island, and the only way to reach it is by boat...which, let's face it, is just cool. After wandering around there for a while I took the water taxi which went around the city and got some wonderful views of parts of Venice I hadn't gotten to. I discovered that while it IS a very walkable city, the quaintness of the various neighborhoods that you discover make you just want to stay put when you find them, lest you wander off and lose them. (did that make sense? it did in my head.)
And so that brings me (sort of) to here. I was really dreading the night train from Venice it Paris, seeing as how the last one I was on was a hair-raising experience. But the train I got was actually very comfortable and filled with really friendly people. I can't possibly express what a relief that was, and I actually got to Paris (fairly) well rested.
Well, I hope that was sufficient to keep you folks entertained until I can update you on my Paris adventures (which I'll probably do from London). I'll be back in London on the 25th, I'm cutting my Paris visit a bit short just because I'm eager to see my dad and get back to an English speaking country...not very adventurous I know, but you try traveling alone for 3 weeks and see how you feel :).
Love you guys, miss you all.
-Michael
23.2.07
Italy...Mamma Mia...
Ok, SO I realize I haven't posted in a week (is that really all? It feels like a month?) but I've got some really great excuses...bad computers, busy wanderings, etc...
But I've only got 14 minutes left on this computer, so I'll hurry up and tell you what I can.
Florence was incredible, it rained when I first got there, after the sketchiest night train ride in the long history of sketchy train rides, and I was angry and wet and lost. But then I went for a walk to the top of the Duomo there...Santa Maria? And when I got to the top (462 steps!). The skies had cleared and the sun had made it's triumphant return to the world of Michael. It was perhaps one of the most picturesque things I've ever seen. The buildings in Florence all have those red tile roofs, and it's a pretty small city situated in a valley surrounded by tall hills, a beautiful river, and in the distance, some incredible mountains. It was the beginning of my Italy experience.
Went to Rome the next day, but didn't arrive until nighttime so I still hadn't seen the Italian countryside. The hostel (Freestyle) was in the middle of the immigrant quarter, which is pretty shady if you don't have any idea where you are. But I found it, got some free pasta (awesome!) and went to sleep. Spent the next day exploring the city, and Rome is amazing. It doesn't have the small-city charm of Florence or Venice, but at some points where the hills are cut away you can see that the whole city is built on the foundations of previous generations. The Colloseum, while it IS a very imposing, impressive structure, is too surrounded now by wire and fencing and men dressed as gladiators to be really impressive. The Forum, however, and the gate beside it, are absolutely incredible -- truly amazing, considering they were built well over one thousand years ago. I also walked to the Vatican and did a runthrough of St. Pauls, which is the MOST overwhelming piece of architecture I've seen in Europe (and that's saying a lot!). But then again it IS intended express the power and wealth of the Catholic church.
That night I met a guy from Paris (Julian or "john" if you couldn't pronounce it correctly) and he told me he and his friends were going to go to the Vatican and check out the mass (it was Sunday the next day). Sounded cool, so around 9 we headed over. The walk to the top of the Cathedral was 5 hundred something steps, and at the very end of the walk there are spiral steps which can only be about a foot and a half across and which go up so steeply they have a rope hanging down to guide you so you don't fall. The top, from which you could see all of Rome plus the Vatican, was astounding (I got some great pics...you'll see them eventually...::sigh::). After that we wandered around for a bit, then went back to the Vatican at noon. We heard some guy speaking and realized that while we were gone the square had filled with literally thousands of people. And in this tiny little window, speaking in 5 different languages there was the pope.
And now I've run out of time, but I've got so much more to tell you, I'm going to buy more...
But I've only got 14 minutes left on this computer, so I'll hurry up and tell you what I can.
Florence was incredible, it rained when I first got there, after the sketchiest night train ride in the long history of sketchy train rides, and I was angry and wet and lost. But then I went for a walk to the top of the Duomo there...Santa Maria? And when I got to the top (462 steps!). The skies had cleared and the sun had made it's triumphant return to the world of Michael. It was perhaps one of the most picturesque things I've ever seen. The buildings in Florence all have those red tile roofs, and it's a pretty small city situated in a valley surrounded by tall hills, a beautiful river, and in the distance, some incredible mountains. It was the beginning of my Italy experience.
Went to Rome the next day, but didn't arrive until nighttime so I still hadn't seen the Italian countryside. The hostel (Freestyle) was in the middle of the immigrant quarter, which is pretty shady if you don't have any idea where you are. But I found it, got some free pasta (awesome!) and went to sleep. Spent the next day exploring the city, and Rome is amazing. It doesn't have the small-city charm of Florence or Venice, but at some points where the hills are cut away you can see that the whole city is built on the foundations of previous generations. The Colloseum, while it IS a very imposing, impressive structure, is too surrounded now by wire and fencing and men dressed as gladiators to be really impressive. The Forum, however, and the gate beside it, are absolutely incredible -- truly amazing, considering they were built well over one thousand years ago. I also walked to the Vatican and did a runthrough of St. Pauls, which is the MOST overwhelming piece of architecture I've seen in Europe (and that's saying a lot!). But then again it IS intended express the power and wealth of the Catholic church.
That night I met a guy from Paris (Julian or "john" if you couldn't pronounce it correctly) and he told me he and his friends were going to go to the Vatican and check out the mass (it was Sunday the next day). Sounded cool, so around 9 we headed over. The walk to the top of the Cathedral was 5 hundred something steps, and at the very end of the walk there are spiral steps which can only be about a foot and a half across and which go up so steeply they have a rope hanging down to guide you so you don't fall. The top, from which you could see all of Rome plus the Vatican, was astounding (I got some great pics...you'll see them eventually...::sigh::). After that we wandered around for a bit, then went back to the Vatican at noon. We heard some guy speaking and realized that while we were gone the square had filled with literally thousands of people. And in this tiny little window, speaking in 5 different languages there was the pope.
And now I've run out of time, but I've got so much more to tell you, I'm going to buy more...
17.2.07
coming soon...
Really long post coming soon...but I don't have the patience right now. PLUS! I think I found an internet place where I can post pics.
Miss you all,
Oh and I'm in Rome
-Michael
Miss you all,
Oh and I'm in Rome
-Michael
14.2.07
Berlin, pt. 2
Change of plan:
I stayed in Berlin an extra night, I'm skipping Vienna to head a bit further south in an effort to get to warmer climates. In about half an hour I'm getting on a train to Florence, and I'm staying there for a night and then heading to Rome. Hopefully I can find a place to stay, because I don't have any reservations at a hostel there. Should be fun!
The rest of my stay in Berlin was amazing. Not just because the city was beautiful and alive, but because the people I met there were so much fun. I had the time of my life at the hostel last night just sitting and talking until 6 a.m., when the bartender finally turned on the lights on full and we were forced out. I would definitely like to return and spend more time here later on down the road.
Well, got to catch that train.
I stayed in Berlin an extra night, I'm skipping Vienna to head a bit further south in an effort to get to warmer climates. In about half an hour I'm getting on a train to Florence, and I'm staying there for a night and then heading to Rome. Hopefully I can find a place to stay, because I don't have any reservations at a hostel there. Should be fun!
The rest of my stay in Berlin was amazing. Not just because the city was beautiful and alive, but because the people I met there were so much fun. I had the time of my life at the hostel last night just sitting and talking until 6 a.m., when the bartender finally turned on the lights on full and we were forced out. I would definitely like to return and spend more time here later on down the road.
Well, got to catch that train.
11.2.07
Berlin!
So it started snowing in Amsterdam and has followed me all the way to Berlin.
Hamburg was relaxing -- to cold to really get anything accomplished so after a short tour of the city I just chilled out at my friend Asti's place.
The hostel here (CityStay Hostel) is big enough to pass as a dorm. It seems clean and safe enough though, and is right in the middle of what used to be East Berlin.
Feeling a bit under the weather. My throats bothering me a bit, I think mostly as a result of the cold weather and living off of bread and water (and some fruit salad when I can find it.) Anywho, I'm really hungry, so I guess I'll go on a mission to find some food.
More tomorrow,
Love,
-M
Hamburg was relaxing -- to cold to really get anything accomplished so after a short tour of the city I just chilled out at my friend Asti's place.
The hostel here (CityStay Hostel) is big enough to pass as a dorm. It seems clean and safe enough though, and is right in the middle of what used to be East Berlin.
Feeling a bit under the weather. My throats bothering me a bit, I think mostly as a result of the cold weather and living off of bread and water (and some fruit salad when I can find it.) Anywho, I'm really hungry, so I guess I'll go on a mission to find some food.
More tomorrow,
Love,
-M
8.2.07
to interpret "agh!"
It's really cold here. Really cold. Maybe the second coldest place I've ever been to. While taking my morning walk, I (of course) got good and lost. Eventually a blizzard started up and while it did make everything very pretty and dreamy, I got completely soaked. Also, turns out when I get that cold my nose gets a nice cherry red, so I looked ridiculous as well. I did, regardless, get to explore the city, although I missed seeing the rembrandt and van gogh museums. It's a beautiful city, and easy to navigate because the canals simply surround the center, so as long as you keep track of where the center is with respect to your positioin, it's nearly impossible to get lost (I wandered out of the center away from the canals of course). So far today I've had a (big) fruit salad and two pieces of bread. Oh and some water. That's healthy, right? The hostel is extremely laid back, with a bar that's always open and a great location. Plus it's really clean in the bedrooms. The whole thing was a bit overwhelming at first (to finally interpret AGH!), but I'm getting used to it over time.
-Michael
-Michael
7.2.07
5.2.07
oh!
I forgot to get addresses before I left, so post your address if you want a really amazing postcard from some random european city.
sweet jeebus. my feet are tired.
A few points on London:
1. Maps are only useful to a point...after which they become simply aggravating. Also, if points on a map look close together and you think "oh, I can walk there no problem...no need to take the underground", immediately stop what you are doing and punch yourself in the face.
2. The weather in London is every bit as wonderfully horrid as they say it is...today was cold, cloudy, and drizzly. The sun even made a short appearance to tease me before disappearing again, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the following dreariness.
3. Don't expect to see wizards. I didn't see any traces of them. I know that's really stupid, but I'm pissed off all the same.
NOW!
If you couldn't tell by the aforementioned points, I spent all day trekking around London. I visited tons of the sights (westminster abb(e?)y, big ben, the national gallery, the tower of london, tower bridge, a random pub, etc.) Seeing as how I only got three hours of sleep last night due to jetlag, I'm amazed I made it that far.
I've still got two hours before I'm supposed to meet my dad at some place that I have no idea how to get to, and it's getting dark. Not sure what I'm going to do in between now and then. OK so the princess diaries is playing in the internet cafe and it's really distracting. um. uh...
Sorry I haven't gotten any pics up...I took more than a few good ones today and I SWEAR they will be up soon.
remember! comments = instant love.
love,
-m
1. Maps are only useful to a point...after which they become simply aggravating. Also, if points on a map look close together and you think "oh, I can walk there no problem...no need to take the underground", immediately stop what you are doing and punch yourself in the face.
2. The weather in London is every bit as wonderfully horrid as they say it is...today was cold, cloudy, and drizzly. The sun even made a short appearance to tease me before disappearing again, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the following dreariness.
3. Don't expect to see wizards. I didn't see any traces of them. I know that's really stupid, but I'm pissed off all the same.
NOW!
If you couldn't tell by the aforementioned points, I spent all day trekking around London. I visited tons of the sights (westminster abb(e?)y, big ben, the national gallery, the tower of london, tower bridge, a random pub, etc.) Seeing as how I only got three hours of sleep last night due to jetlag, I'm amazed I made it that far.
I've still got two hours before I'm supposed to meet my dad at some place that I have no idea how to get to, and it's getting dark. Not sure what I'm going to do in between now and then. OK so the princess diaries is playing in the internet cafe and it's really distracting. um. uh...
Sorry I haven't gotten any pics up...I took more than a few good ones today and I SWEAR they will be up soon.
remember! comments = instant love.
love,
-m
4.2.07
LONDON!
LONDON is AMAZING! Dad and I were discussing how I've never been to a city this large before...it's incredible. Somewhat intimidating, but incredible. The apartment is a bit out of the way, but I think that's actually nice in this case -- it's nice to spend a day in the city and then run back to the apartment. So far we've walked through or by practically all the major sights, but there's still a lot more exploring to be done. Tomorrow and the next day I'll still be in London, but Wednesday I'm off to Amsterdam. I'll be taking pictures and posting them within the next few days, as I still have some time left at this internet cafe.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
