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Published: April 6th 2007
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Andrea Week two we started in France. Talk about back and forth. I just want to see a new country! We headed to the French Riviera, Antibes to be exact. Nice little camp site. Would have been better in the summer. It was surrounded by amusement parks and go-carts. Good fun I must say. Might be in the cards to go back just for that. There is a little bit of a child in everyone, probably more than a little in me...
Stopped at a famous French perfumery, I sat outside as I decided that being allergic to perfume it wouldn't be such a good idea. Did have a headache for awhile after everyone else went in, but the bus did have a slight improvement in air quality as some of the supercampers were starting to get a little rank.
The next day we spent in Nice wandering the streets. It was slightly disappointing as there was major construction going on and one really couldn't see much of anything. Travel in the spring and miss all the tourists but you also miss the shops that are only open in the summer and get to enjoy the major renovations that
Kobi and I - Venice
stuck in the lovers seat of the gondola are going on to get ready for all the tourists that you are trying to miss.
That night we headed to Monte Carlo in Monaco. Pretty interesting country. All the little stories about Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly and all that. Saw the rich and famous and their cars. Everywhere you turn, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Alfa Romeos, Aston Martins, Hummers, etc, etc. BMW's and Mercedes were bottom of the line there. The casino's were the main attraction and I must say, go to Vegas. Over priced and not as exciting. But that's just me, I don't actually go to gamble.
After the sights and the cars we went to a random local pub near the campsite. Ryan got told that in France he should really learn to speak French and the guy wasn't having a laugh. Super Sam drank at least two beer to our one, broke a glass and made an ass of himself. Drank a few beer, got glared at by the locals, danced a conga line, cottoneye joe, it really doesn't get much better than that.
Italy! So far one of my favorite countries. Stopped off in Verona to see Juliette's balcony and the wall
to write love letters. The wall was pretty disgusting with all the gum used to hang the letters. In the shop right beside there was a Team Canada hockey player for sale. How random is that. It was hanging up for 4Euro. Canadian flags are everywhere when you least expect them they pop up. Had my first scoops of gelati. Best stuff ever. If you thought you loved ice cream you haven't had it until in Italy.
In Venice we took a Gondola ride. Six of us in a boat around the city. A few motor boats around - Italian Job anyone? Gondoliers are born into the profession. You can't just become one, it's like a mafia thing, must be part of the family. Wandered the markets next. I love markets. They will probably be my downfall. Meh. It's a good way to go.
Toga Party! There were about 30 of us dressed in sheets eating pasta and pizza. Life is good. Though it wasn't such a good thing that the sheets were white...
Being in Florence made me feel like I was surrounded by greatness. Italians are amazing. Insert slice of pizza here. Michelangelo, Galileo etc. And
then of course there were more markets. I headed to the Duomo which is this fantasticly huge church. I'm over the whole church/cathedral/museum thing but it was great. (I lit a candle for you in there Wilma). More gelati. The markets went forever. The whole trip up until that point I spent almost no money. The budget went out the window that day, not that I actually made a budget for myself, but the thought of one. Then there is the entertainment of these gypsy type people that sell goods from semi-permanent structures, ie. sheets, cardboard box tables, bags over the arms, milk crates. They are illegal for us to buy from and them to sell to us; are annoying as hell and won't leave you alone. But seeing the cops chase after them is worth the annoyance. As long as you aren't buying something from them at the moment or standing in the way. Slice of pizza. More gelati.
Rome. Rome. Rome. One of the top cities I have seen in my life. I don't even know where to begin. We did a four hour walking tour when we first arrived. There is just way too much to
see there. Sarah was our guide. She didn't pay off the mafia so we had to tour around discreetly. Guides are meant to pay a tax to tour around - it's not illegal to give tours - but this is Italy, home of the mafia. Everytime we saw the carabiniere we had to disperse and come back in ten minutes so we didn't get fined or thrown in jail. Saw the Spanish Steps which I didn't find that amazing until I saw it in a postcard from above. From ground level they just look like a massive staircase. The Trevi fountain I think was the best. I threw in three coins. Oh oh. The first one is a wish, the second is to return to Rome in good health, the third is to be married within a year. F#&k. Why does one do these silly things. I'm hoping that it is a slight superstition that will not come true. Not ready quite yet to get married. I have until April 12, 2008. We will see. I'll keep you updated. Gelati. Five scoops. Was quietly eating my cone when everyone in line turned and looked at me. Canada! Over here! Oh
shit. I thought what now. What have I done. So I go back to the counter and the owner asked me where in Canada I was from- said Toronto - I'll see you there he said. Sweet as. He's opening a gelati shop. 647 Mt. Pleasant Blvd. If anyone wants to check it out in the summer. As soon as I get home it will be one of the first things I do because, clearly I need to eat more. Then wandered again.
After seeing some of the sights we tackled the Rome Metro. Not an easy thing to do. The cars were packed as we got to the train and most of us thought that we could wait for the next one, clearly not on the minds of anyone else. The people behind us pushed like it was the last train for a month. We all got on - through two doors there were almost 30 of us. Sardines. Never have I been on a tube so squished. London and Toronto are no comparison. I couldn't even move my hands to reach out and grab on, I just stood in one spot and when the train stopped I
was so squished between people that I didn't even move. At one point Ryan, standing in front of me said, 'I hope that was Canada that grabbed my ass', there were a few dodgy people around and we had been warned that pickpocketers were mad there. It had been me. Gui another guy on with us did get his pocket picked - he caught the guy in time and got his wallet back so all was good. They thief got off the train and went in the next doors to try again, he didn't even go to a different car. We all rolled our eyes at Gui, he was warned, why did he leave his wallet in his pocket. Turns out it was in a zippered pocket at his knee. The guy was so good no one noticed him bending down and undoing the zipper. Jeez. Beware of the Rome Metro that's fo' sho'.
End of week 2.
Week 2: done.
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