A city girl at heart Bigger than the picture in your 7th grade latin book....indeed. After we finished exploring the Colesseum we went across the street and sat in a cafe for a few hours watching people go by and enjoying the amazing structure. We could not take our eyes off of it. Amazing it can still be standing. Travel is grand.
Love your Blogs Have followed your every move to every city from taxi and bus to long lines and trains. I did about the same trip alone in 1966 and stayed in similar places (on Via Cavour in Rome, etc.) so loved every excruciating and exhiliarating descriptive moment. Pompeii was a favorite. The little town especially. I am so glad you undertook this journey and the season was just right for fewer tourists and good prices. Where are you vicariously taking us next? I think now you've been to every place on the planet!
Your bad day What a time trying to get around Sorrento. I loved the bus ride from Naples to Sorrento up and down those winding hills along the water. I heard while in London last year that some of the banks were not accepting US credit cards. They have begun using machines that are designed to accept only chip-and-PIN cards and simply don't accept US credit cards. Sounds like you ran into some of those banks. Enjoy Rome and your location sounds excellent.
Wonderful! Your descriptions are so rich reading them is almost like being there Carolyn! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you had so much time to yourself in the Sistine Chapel...good planning! Pat
Recovered Catholic As you know, we both share the Catholic childhood education (immersion?), and if I remember correctly we both turned our backs when "Humanae Vitae" was announced. Still, I hope I get to see the Vatican someday. Why is that? The beauty, I guess. Your report of the backwards altar was discouraging -- and I had never looked at Peter's Pence that way! Can you imagine what museums around the world would pay for some of that art??? As long as the art would never go into a private collection, it should be out there for all to see. Proving one again how muh better off the world would be if women ran it . . . !
Be happy and carry on Not all travel days are fun. We had a taxi driver we made arrangements with in Cuba who did not show up. After waiting 20 minutes we took the next cab and the driver became our friends and drove us where we needed to go for three days. He even attended a baseball game with us.
oh., my! My Dear Carolyn, you are my hero, my muse, but most and best, my good friend! I am so glad you've let your reading public know how to persevere, and that one day's challenge can lead to the next day's wonder. I remain in awe of your perspective, and when I make it to China or somewhere else next year, your experiences and honest appraisal will be in my heart. Carry on! I had started to worry, as a while had passed between blogs, but...all's well that ends well! With love, Jill.
Good for You! Your honesty in writing about a bad day is so refreshing Carolyn. I'm sorry you had one, but applaud you for including it. When I have travelled I've often had exactly the kind of bad day(s) you described, and more of them than good ones. Your blog reminded me that's probably one of the reasons I don't care much to travel anymore. Thanks for a wonderful reminder; I hope the rest of your trip is smooth, interesting, peaceful and happy. Love, Pat
Ruined by ruins You have a wicked sense of humor. Love it! Love all the blogs...please keep them coming. We want to know what you are up to. Progress and repair is slow in that part of the world. Love your lessoned learned.
You've gotten lucky stumbling onto these wonderful accomodations Those bakeries sound great! Glad you are going with the flow. Thanks for the history lesson.
thnx Hey there, thanks again for taking me with you on your adventure. As I sit here at home w. my hot peppermint tea for my sore throat, I am transported to the ruins with you.
Ciao,
Amy
Thanks for the advice I'm sure we'll encounter our share of beggars on our cruise next week, and will be careful. The friends we are traveling with wil guide us, but your blog was a timely reminder. I, too, have been waiting for your book!
Your ears should have been burning all the way in Italy. Your adventures were the
Hot topic of discussion at mewe this morning. Safe travels and hope to write with you soon.
Herculaneum Your detailed descriptions remind me of being on a Sat. afternoon Rick Steve's TV travel tour. They're wonderful!
I'm amazed at your stamina and quest to learn more about our world outside the cocoon of America.
MMM
You are right to rant! I can't imagine (and maybe I'm naive?) anyone tolerating small children begging here in the USA. Not that our beggars/panhandlers aren't a dark spot on our souls, since they are mostly homeless veterans . . .
I was astounded to read your descriptions, and admired the solutions you suggested. As my recent travels have all been to Canada, I have not experienced any begging. Don't remember any in London or Venice either. I now suspect our cruise ship made sure we weren't exposed throughout the Dalmations -- aggressive vendors were bad enough!
Thanks for your good ideas on how to handle this.
Nice Writing Carolyn! Hopefully you can just compile your travel blogs into a book one of these days!! I'm enjoying your trip, hope you are too! I rented a house, sight unseen, from a friend's daughter planning to stay in Savannah this January, February and March. I drove myself down after Christmas, spent one night in the house, and drove back home the next day...it was something like the hotel you mentioned where you'd planned to spend 5 nights and managed to get out after just one...my Savannah getaway was just about as comfortable as what you described! I was too disheartened to look around for another place, and I lost my deposit and a half months' rent...oh well, lesson learned. Your experiences with foreign beggars reminds me, sadly, of the situation in Portland today...with a beggar on every corner...some really in dire straights...others scamming the public.
Hope you continue to enjoy your adventures & keep writing!! Pat
The problem of beggars I was horrified at your description of drugged babies. In Paris there is a big market in renting dogs to beggars, and they, too are drugged so they will sit quietly by their "Masters". Last year i saw two little dogs that stole my heart, so against everything rational, I went beck the next day and found the beggar and tried to purchase the dogs. It turned out that these dogs apparently did belong to him, because he told me that when he sleeps on the streets, he sleeps with the dogs on top of him, and they are his family. he would not, he declared, sell them for ten thousand euros. I'm not sure about his story because he asked if we were reporters, and surely didn't want the dogs photos taken. He was most gracious, however, and offered me a croissant that had been brought to him by a local restaurant, in a gesture that allowed him some dignity. I'll try and find him again this year, armed with dog treats and ear medicine.
You Rock Girlfriend!! Carolyn
You are my hero!!! Taking on a mean Italian hotel manager and standing your ground. Way to GO!!! So glad you got to see the Bay of Naples. I can still picture the sun shining on the blue water and the beautiful boats. Like something you would see in a movie. We had lunch in a wonderful restaurant overlooking the Bay. You should have talked to the movie company and told them they should make one about you and all of your travel adventures. It would be a real hit. We could get Angela Landsbury or some other fantastic actress to play your part!!! Continue to enjoy your travels. I can't wait to read more. Mary Jo
"cereal or orange juice?" Bob's breakfast story from early 1980s: he was in England and Italy backpacking with a friend. In his English B&B, the owner offered him cereal or orange juice for his breakfast. Not quite believing the limited options, he said, "What?"
She repeated, very slowly, "Do you want c e r e a l OR o r a n g e j u i c e?"
It has become a family joke, repeated often if someone asks, "What?" in any context.
You Should Write a Book When is the book of your adventures coming out? I'm waiting for the next chapter. Glad you got to your new hotel safely, but very sorry you had to walk in the storm. Be Safe! Paula
Right on, Caroline! I'm loving the thought of a showdown between Napolitan and Hanoian scooters! and you did recall the numerous nauseating rides on cliffhanging Italian roads I've taken over the years. I might have to take you along with me on my next trip. I wish I were as good as you are with shady hotel managers! here's to heated rooms in Southern Europe.
Seems like you do very well traveling on your own It is always wonderful to travel with friends and family but there is also something very wonderful about being independent enough to explore alone. You've made good friends and connections along the way. Moving after the first night was a brilliant idea. Who says a room doesn't make a difference. Can't wait to read your next edition.
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
A city girl at heart
Bigger than the picture in your 7th grade latin book....indeed. After we finished exploring the Colesseum we went across the street and sat in a cafe for a few hours watching people go by and enjoying the amazing structure. We could not take our eyes off of it. Amazing it can still be standing. Travel is grand.