Europe on LESS then a shoestring - Part 2

Florence
We stayed at the hostel Villa Camerata. Back in the day, this hostel allowed camping. Even though our group didn't have a tent, we met a lot of people along the way who did, and that's just what you do, crash with others you don't really know. But it was fun. We spent the evenings hanging out playing games (I never, the Rock game & more) and going over tales of the day. We did hear of a couple who got their wallet stolen from gypsies, and do not get on bus #X as it is full of pick-pocketers. We walked around checking out Ponte Vecchio (covered bridge for shopping), the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and of course, checking out Michelangelo's David. And of course, more gelato.

Rome
We arrived in Rome with a large group of 8+. and checked into the hostel used for the 1960 Olympic Games. It was old, and looked like a recycled hospital (it probably was), but the location was fantastic! We were right beside the Olympic pool & the Olympic tennis courts. One night, around 11:30pm, a group of about 4 people decided to go for a swim in the Olympic pool, but it was closed. Did it really matter that there was a high chain-link fence around the pool, no, not really. Next thing you know, the polizia came. With flashing lights on their cars, and flash lights in their hands, they were going after the swimming criminals. Unfortunately (or fortunately... depending on how you see things), this tale was not about me. But I was soon brought out of my sound sleep to be told of this crazy story.

Rome was fantastic. I loved walking down a city street, and looking over to archeologists digging up part of the sidewalk. Or thinking that the stairs that I was just on was walked on hundreds of years ago. But I was in shock to see how people took care of historic monuments. I remember being in the colosseum and looking at all the discarded orange peels or the writing "Marcy + Steven = 4ever" written on the walls. How sad, but I suppose you get that anywhere.


Pisa
The leaning tower of Pisa built in the 1100's. Because of the soil, the tower started to lean almost as soon as construction started on it. So what did the Italians do? If the one side was leaning, let's build one side of the building's rooms with longer walls. Then it started to lean the other way. And so on, you get the point. If you really look at the pictures, you can tell.


Naples
We didn't have much luck in this city. We arrived just fine, but then the transit when on strike. Great. There was protesting outside of our hotel. Great. We tried to go for a meal, and nothing was open. Great. Tried going to the archeology museum, but a tram was needed to get to the top, and of course, it was broken. Great. So we left for Sorrento the next day. GREAT - really.

Sorrento
Loved this little city. There was a lot to do in such a small place. Eat pizza, shop for cards, and drink lemon alcohol. For those who know me realize there is no way I could have had the latter, which is true, but it was abundant. Besides being a great little town to hang out in, it is also a great place to do day trips to the Capri, Pompei and Amalfi Coast.

Isle of Capri
A rough ferry ride to a beautiful place. Where the stairs go straight up the mountainside, with orange & lemon trees lining the way. The views were amazing at the top, but the wind was making sea air very cold.

Pompei
I was so excited to be able to go to a place that was studied in my grade 7 class. But nothing prepared me for what I was going to see. A city of destruction, yet very beautiful. Walking along the ruins that were once grand homes with beautifully decorated tiled floors, baths with marbled walls and meeting halls with rows of seating, not to mention the feeling of sadness to see the bodies that were preserved in ash from the volcano. We spent 6 hours here, could have spent more time.

Almalfi Coast
Wow! It is crazy to think that building homes along the most windy road, side-by-side and stacked, would be a good thing. Add with a road that is so skinny, that in some spots it is only wide enough for a car or a bus. Travelling quite fast on a bus heading to town, we found that we had to stop, many times, in a hurry. Reason: a vehicle was coming around the corner and we had to either A) squeezed by with the bus windows inches from homes and inches from the opposing vehicle, or B) back up or have the other vehicle back up until there is a spot wide enough on the road so one of us can get by. For those who get motion sick, this is not the ride for you. I don't know how I managed, but one poor boy about 10 did not do too well. Something the bus drivers are all to familiar with.


Brindisi
Leaving the beautiful town of Sorrento, we had no choice to head back to Naples to catch the midnight train to Brindisi. For those of you who have never heard of Brindisi, I am not surprised. Not much there, in my opinion. But to get to Greece by ferry, this is the only choice (sorry, I should say cheap choice!).

Our group was getting a lot bigger now. We were travelling 12 strong! 4 guys, and 8 girls. We heard horror stories of people getting robbed on this night train to the other side of Italy, so we had a plan. 1 guy in each train room and tie the door closed. Well, it worked. No one got robbed and we arrived safe and sound in the cement city of Brindisi. Even though we were then stuck here for most of the day, we didn't really care. There were clean showers at the ferry terminal, a cafe nearby and the next day we would be in Corfu. Can't wait.

Stay tuned for part 3 - Greece & Turkey