Sunday, August 3, 2003 - Munich, Germany Crossing many European countries for the past couple months, I came into a conclusion that German is one of the hardest languages to speak and to hear, let alone to learn. A couple years ago in high school, I was interested in learning the language, but unfortunately it didn’t take more than one semester before I had it enough. Trying not to act as a rude tourist, I usually approach locals with a polite ‘Sprechen Sie englisch?’, or ‘Do you speak English’ question, hoping to hear a ‘Ja&rsq [View Full Entry]

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Thursday, July 31, 2003 - Interlaken, Switzerland Switzerland is a beautiful place. Everybody knows that, but seeing it first hand is a completely different experience. We started our Switzerland adventure in Interlaken, which suggested by its name, is located in the Alps region between two lakes. Arriving in Interlaken Ost station from Milano Centrale, Italy, we experienced a shocking atmosphere change from chaotic streets of Rome to calming Interlaken, with serene lakes of the Alps as a background. We had to reset our mindset from a go-go-go-I’m-so-behind into t [View Full Entry]

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As there are beginnings, there are endings for everything; Alpha and Omega. Our time in Italy is ticking away; and the next thing we knew, we had get off our couch and gathered our belongings for the last time from our apartment, a place we called home for the last three months. We drank our last water from a cold Roman fountain, we saw San Pietro for the last time from a distance, and we walked along the Roman black cobble street stones, headed out to the Metro Ottaviano/San Pietro Metro station that would bring us to Termini station to continue [View Full Entry]

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A photo essay on night time in Rome. A city of eternity, but unfortunately, we need to move on with our lives, as we are heading out of Italy tomorrow, and be back at the States in two weeks. Walking around the city for the last time, each of us saying our last word of goodbye to beautiful and intimate places we've experienced for the last three months. [View Full Entry]

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Vatican might be the smallest sovereign country in the world. Although we live in Prati neighborhood located next to the City, and our apartment is within two minutes walking from San Pietro, we haven't stepped a foot inside the Vatican City prior today. Walking along via della Consolazione to our studio, we always wonder how it feels like to visit the Vatican as a normal tourist. As a "resident of Rome", I am obligated to visit the Holy Site, and I am glad that finally we had the opportunity to examine the city more throughly. Tourists are always crowding around the [View Full Entry]

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Beware, Rome is not a safe place for a non-observant person. Pickpocketers are smart, but one always has to outsmart them by paying attention all around him all the time, and HIDE YOUR WALLET somewhere other than a normal place that unregistered people couldn't reach for it! Today was a nice Sunday, and I decided to check out the famous Roman Flea Market suggested by my Italian book, at the Porta Portese. This flea market is the biggest in Rome, and only happening every Sundays. Porta Portese is located across the Tiber from via Marmorata in Testaccio. I was such in [View Full Entry]

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Rome is a good place to learn about history of Christianity, and catacombs are an important part of the learning experience. Unfortunately, there are only few people would consider the opportunity to check out catacombs when visiting Rome, and as our time in Rome is running short, I decided to visit a catacomb. Catacomb is always an intriguing place for me, especially with my goal of becoming a better Christian. Many early Christians lived in catacombs as places for sanctuary from Roman prosecution, where they died, buried, and hoped to resurrect with Christ at the end. Other than fulfilli [View Full Entry]

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Leaving Rome Having several hours to spend before the departure time at 1:20 am, I was in no hurry to reach Tiburtina station back in Rome. I love night train, as I could sleep anywhere, maybe this is the reason why the Hardy boys decided not to join me for Milan trip. After Edinburgh and Venice, they said they have had enough with anything night transporter. So, with a set of tickets €29.37 for Roma-Milano and €27.37 for Milano-Roma, I am ready to embrace my new adventure in Milan. I tried to walk as slow as possible to the designated train [View Full Entry]

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Naples is not that impressive, at least from our first glance perspective. As soon as we landed on the marina from Capri ferry ride, we had to walk across a city to our designated hostel, including through one of those LONG tunnels that were loud, smell and not pedestrian friendly. Walking by several pictures of people with flowers around them, all of the sudden it occurred to me; I do not want to have my picture added to the pile, so we better paid more attention to these crazy Italian drivers who were zooming by within only inches from us. Reaching [View Full Entry]

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Arriving in Naples and Ruins of Pompeii Started the day way early in the morning, we caught our morning train at 6:49 am. As we were heading even more south, the weather was promising: blue sky, hot humid air, and beautiful panorama. We didn’t have a proper breakfast, so as soon as we arrived at Napoli Centrale at 9:30 am, we stormed in into the first breakfast place in the sight: McDonalds. I was surprised to see many Asian tourists here in McDonalds and Naples in general. We rode the 10:41 pm Circuvesuvia Train to Pompeii from Naples for €2.20, which [View Full Entry]

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