Thestiltsofdeath

This is quite the adventure, let me tell you. So, here's what happened. We took a midnight train to La Spezia and then one from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, the first of the five villages. We got there at 530, so we decided to sleep on the beach until the sun came up. And by beach I mean rocks (Riomaggiore doesn't have much sand). Crazy... so we napped on the beach facing the Sea (my friend Neena brought a sheet from the hotel and wrapped herself in it and looked like a corpse... lol) Then we got breakfast and started hiking. On our way to Manarola, we found a secluded alcove and swam. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. We could see the fish that we were swimming in and ... read more

Oh man... so sorry everyone. Dad knows, but my computer has been a bit testy lately and I have been so busy I haven't had time to post something. So... quick recap: - Florence (wow) - churches - BEST DAY EVERY - Caravaggio Okay, so Florence was beautiful. We went to the Uffizi museum and saw some of the most amazing stuff ever: Bottichelli, Caravaggio, Rembrant... It was nice to get out of Rome because I'm not a big city person. My deduction of Florence: More people, less busy (if that makes any sense). I spent my first ever HOSTEL NIGHT, which was the funniest/wonderful/frightening experience of my life. We had your stereotypical sketchy hostel, but it was just too great to ever exchange. So funny. Churches = wow (I figure you've heard enough of me ... read more

Ciao! So today was the Early Pilgrimage Churches of Santa Pudenziana, Santa Prassede, and Santa Maggio (sp?). They're really beautiful and have a lot of interesting stories. Pudenziana we met this goofy man named Mario who worked at the church, who kept giving us "quizzes" and allowed us to go into places most people aren't! We were even allowed behind the church, which was weird because churches generally don't have a behind. Just an apse and a wall. But it was really neat because we got to go up on the 2nd level and see the mosaic REALLY close, which was awesome. Pudenziana and Prassede are churches built after 2 sisters who became saints because they would wash and prepare the bodies of Christian martyrs (it was illegal to give properal burial to exeecuted crimials because ... read more

So, it's been pretty crazy. Last time I think I left off in the afternoon... Mozart's Requim in San Maggio Church... ... ... I was at a loss for words. I almost cried, it was so beautiful. The church itself is gorgeous and I took some videos of the symphony. The acoustics in it was amazing, I just can't even explain. The funny thing was, was afterwards, we went out and there was this zany street performer (which was a step up from the last street performer we had), but he was odd. And on his soundtrack was "the lion sleeps tonight" if that gives you any indication... Then the next day we tried another cafe which was a bit disappointing because it was more expensive and just as good than the one we have been ... read more

Buongiorno from Rome! WOW. Is all I can say. It is amazing here! You are lucky I have a two-way plane ticket or I might not come back! It's been such a whirlwind already! Basically, woke up at 830 to leave for the airport, left for Frankfurt, Germany at 240, GOT to Germany at around 2 (USA time), waited 6 hours, took off to Rome and got here around 6 Rome time. We ate and went to sleep, but let me tell you! I went to sleep at 11 PM here in Rome and that would be 2PM at home! (9 hour time difference). I can't sleep on planes, so I was up for over 30 hours straight. When my head hit that pillow, I DIED and then was reborn again in the morning. This has ... read more