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Published: July 24th 2007
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Buongiorno!!!
Im writing here from Stazione Firenze Santa Maria Novella, Toscana! I will take the train 1,5 hours later, so I decided to come here and write a quick entry.
On Saturday when I woke up, the pain in my throat was still there so I decided to head to a doctor in Sorrento. I took a bus to the hospital, where they attended me right away. I had an infection, because of the heat plus being in cool places with aircondition, having cold drinks etc etc....combination of cold and heat. Anyway, I got some medicines which I have to take for 5 days. The doctor charged 50 EUR just for opening my mouth and look inside for 5 seconds, and write down the medicines I need to buy at the pharmacy. But my insurance will pay it back to me, no worries. I went back to the hostel and took a 2 hour nap, after taking my first medicines, because I was feeling very tired and weak.
When I woke up I felt much better, I took my stuff and went to Naples. I spent just a few hours there. I didn't see much of the
city, that's why I can't say that it's a beautiful city. There is a lot of garbage around, there are many unemployed man on the streets trying to sell nonsense stuff. The city really reminded me of Cairo, Egypt: very chaotic, but with less traffic. In the Centro Storico there are many narrow alleys where the locals hang their laundry outside. And yes, there is poverty in this city. I'm sure I missed the nicest parts of the city, that's why I can't really judge the city.
Later I took the train to Firenze (Florence) and went to my hostel. I arrived there at 9:30pm. I took a shower, went for some food and came back. The hostel is a 10 minute walk from the central station, but the neighbourhood is not one of the best around. During the nights I was here, I saw prostitutes and travestites standing at the corners of the streets around.
The next day I went into Florence, and visited places like the Piazza del Duomo, where the cathedral is, and also the Galleria d'Accademia, which displays paintings by artists between the 13th and 16th century. And of course one of world's most famous
statues: David, made by Michelangiolo. The queue to this gallery was long, I waited for 1,5 hours. Standing in the queue I met two nice travellers from Pamplona, Spain: Adrianna and Luis (bro and sis). We hang out together the whole day. After the gallery we had some lunch, and visited other parts of the city, like Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signora among others. Florence is for sure a nice city, rich in history, arts and cuisine! Florence has the best pasta I had till now. I had pasta at both different restaurants, both were very very good!!!
The next day I went to San Gimignano. It is a medieval town in central Toscana, with 14 towers and a city wall all around it. In the bus I met two cool Finnish friends travelling together: Samuli and Aleksi (half Italian). They come from a town 2 hours north of Helsinki. We walked around the city for a while, which was packed with tourists. A lot of makamba's around as well (Dutch people). Samuli and Aleksi went later to rent a scooter for a few days, as they are staying in Volterra, a small town which is difficult to
reach by public transport (just a few busses a day run there). Samuli's parents have a house in the area, where they are staying for 2 weeks. Around San Gimignano there are many places where you have great views over the nice landscape of Tuscany's countryside. This great countryside is home to some of Italy's best wines and olives.
In the evening I went to Fortezza da Basso, very close to my hostel, where they had something like a cultural event. There were foodstands from different countries, karaoke, an open air disco etc. and the place was full of people, mostly Italians. The cultural event lasts for month.
Now I'm going to Pisa, to see the famous leaning tower there. After I will continue to Cinque Terre (Five Lands). Five small towns located along the coast of the Ligurian Sea, which are supposed to be very beautiful and breathtaking. In Cinque Terre probably I will meet Koen, a Dutch neighbour who lives on the same floor I used to live in Rotterdam. A report and pictures from both Pisa and Cinque Terre I will post in the next entry.
Take care, arrivederci!
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Arelys
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Beterschap! Kuida bo kurpa... Grtz