London, Amsterdam, Paris, Lucerne, Como, Venice, Florence, Orvieto & Rome. Oh my: May 2023
Picture it, Fall. 2019. You're a young 20-something year old in search of adventure. You take the plunge and book a trip you've been dreaming of most of your life. You have it 90% paid off. Fast forward to March 2020, the world falls apart and it gets put on hold for 3 years. (First world problems, right?) The world picks up the pieces a bit and as the Summer of 2023 rolls around, it's time to go. Nowhere on earth, in any language or dialect, could you explain such an experience. 15 days, 9 cities. So this is just a log to try and remember some key moments, I can't possibly write it all down. Speechless, breathless moments live here in my head. And they own the place as far as I'm concerned.
On this group venture, after a long journey to get there, the first stop in London, America's protective older brother. When we stepped into the city center, I could swear I was in New York. Throughout the trip through all of these places, the guide was amazing and full of information, I still follow him on Instagram. But there are some things you just need to see for yourself, which no guidebook or walking tour can give you. Call it an energy, vibe, whatever; for me it's the spirit of the city that you can't see, only feel with your soul. Not even your heart. The heart pumps blood, this was something different.
It seems like every building in London was designed with class and carved out of ivory (probably what they stole from Africa, but who's counting). It really is a beautiful city. Like any other city, it's busy, there's a million busses and trains, with tons of food. Our first night our guide brings us to a pub (I love that London has so many pubs), and it's this neat older building, like many, with two floors. The staircase is a thin spiral and we have the whole second floor. No one knows each other yet since it's day one, so awkward silence fills the room, but the fish n' chips I devour fills my belly, and my soul. The fish was bigger than my head, it must have been a full foot long. It was crispier than money straight out the Mint factory.
One of my favorite memories of London is where I venture out with about six or so of the other girls in the group, and while walking through a big green park, I see a runaway soccer ball. Me being a natural born athlete, jogs over to it and smacks it back the way it came. I am however a terrible shot, and it goes whirling towards a middle aged English woman who dodges with extreme finesse. I hope I'm that quick when I get old. I apologize profusely explaining I was trying to return the ball from whence it came, but she was very nice. She made fun with me and went on my way. She also complimented my kick, so I'm taking that as a win.
Big Ben in person is gorgeous, did you know there's gold on it? I didn't know this... Exploring the city I stop at Twinning's Tea Shop, which is the oldest tea shop in London. This narrow, elongated space was super cool, especially with the original entryway. Gazing at the architecture of the city captivates me. It's like every building is wrapped in crown molding. Maybe the Queen put it there. Other stops in the city include The Shard, which is a way cool building but 45 euros to go up(?), so I skip it, Kensington Gardens where Princess Diana lived, strolling through Hyde Park (and catching royal horses trotting through the street there who we assume were from the coronation), St James Park and riding the tube. Another memorable moment of London is Afternoon Tea. The tour company had this option, but I wasn't about to pay their fee, so I found one spontaneously with some of the other girls. It was awesome. Maybe $25-30 and we got a ton of food and tea. A tower stacked with pastries, cakes and decadent desserts just knocked me off my feet. In the words of Tracy Turnblad, "one little touch and my life's complete." It really felt like a royal kind of moment in this modern/deco kind of vibe restaurant with big teal armchairs and chandeliers, but low key. The Borough Market is a great stop along the way too. A big indoor/outdoor market with plastic tends that live under a thousand year old bridge with even older businesses. I stopped at a stall called "Pieminster" for a meat pie and DAMN was it good. The personal sizes are enough to fill you up, it was the perfect kick of warmth I needed on that rainy day.
Throughout our totaled three days in London, we saw so much. Going out at dawn and returning past 10 or 11. The days were completely filled. We must've walked over 20 miles in a day at one point. Buckingham Palace was on the list the day of the coronation later in the afternoon. Some people woke up early to fight the crowds to get a glimpse of the king, but not even Harry could get me out of bed for that. I love you England, but after the flight I had coming in, not that much. I will say that the palace is HUGE, bigger than you may think, and is embedded with gold around every spire of the fence that protects her and the surrounding artifacts. Piccadilly circus, Westminster Abbey, the Wellington Arch, China town and Trafalgar square we introduced to us and they're a brief interaction, but still nice. The last big impact for me in London is the V&A Museum. I didn't know about this place before a tour-mate had mentioned it, so I thought I'd tag along: I'm really happy I did. I thought the palace was big, and even though I didn't enter it, I'm sure this museum matches in size. Everything in this place was beautiful. I feel conflicted at one point since much of the art is from other nations, and no doubt priceless, so after a brief mental battle with myself, I decide to just enjoy it in the moment. I was in full on "white person, hands behind my back to show I mean no harm, strolling through a museum" mode. Every piece, regardless of it's origin was beautiful and shone in it's own way, weather it was gold or granite. We must've been here for hours, three approximately if memory serves. With several floors, each one being quite large, you're gonna need it.
We move on to one of my most anticipated stops: Amsterdam. We take an underwater train (yes, they make those, and no, I didn't know it would be underwater) from London to Amsterdam next. Part is above land, part is below. I didn't see any fish unfortunately, due to the cement tube, but as we sped through the land, I see tons of cattle with miles of green pastures. Windmills and turbines are all across the countryside. Part of my notes says something about a random dude in the bushes too, not sure what this is about... I sit with some friends I've made thus far on the ride in and we chat and take each other's insta pictures on the long, relaxed trek. "content baby, content." We land in an enormous train station and soon after, I make the first stop I can: Dutch Pancakes. I'm ashamed to say I only tried one of two types (I had the one that isn't fluffy, I know, I didn't know.) After accidentally slightly offending the locals with our fast paced need to leave urgently to make another event, we grab our apple and cheese pizza sized pancakes to go (THERE ARE TO GO BOXES FOR DUTCH PANCKES, and yes they're the size of medium pizza boxes). With literal minutes behind the pack, we run/speed walk with hands fun to make the canal cruise by the skin of our teeth. We have forks luckily, so Lindsay and I start shoveling mouthfuls of pancake into our mouths as fast as possible before taking a sexy cruise along the water. This is one of my first real conversations with Lindsay, another trip-mate, and we talk all evening on the low to the water cruise underneath hundred year old bridges, strolling locals and thin plastic cups of wine. Life really doesn't get much better, except for maybe cider.
The streets in this place are beautiful, everything is stone and there's more bikes than cars. Don't mess around with bikes, They are king here and will mess you up. Every building I see is unique in color, detail and design, even though so many are based on the traditional Dutch silhouette. The canals differ from Venice somehow, it's gloomier in weather here but that's not it. It's like a calm somehow. Not sad, just still.
And with that, you can't visit Amsterdam without seeing the Anne Frank Haus. If you do, you've missed not only an important part of history, you've just missed out. While it's not technically the cheeriest venture, the haus is very important. The history and story has an incredible balance of haunting-ness and strength. Approximately a dozen people living in a small, 3-4 room home trying to escape the atrocities outside. Everyone knows the story, but there's nothing on earth like seeing this place with your own eyes and walking the floor they stepped on with the soles of your shoes. Everyone visiting knows well to keep this a quiet place, so there's no chit chat here. Photos aren't allowed in the haus, so I take one on the outside of the facility to remember my immediate feelings. I wonder if she can see how much her story has impacted the world daily. Being in the same room as Anne's diaries is mind-boggling to me. This is the stuff we read about in our history books, and now I see it in person. It was nothing short of miraculous. And bone chilling. What an incredible young lady.
On a happier note, at some point some of the girls and I go off to walk the city and shop. I end up at the tulip museum, conveniently located right near the Amsterdam Cheese Museum, aka, God's greatest gift to the world. I've eaten a lot of cheese, but I shit you not when I say this was THE BEST cheese of my life. And I'm a chedderhed. I try the smoked gouda, and my gouda was it incredible. There are dozens of small bowls around the shop where you can purchase the huge wheels of dairy filled goodness. I'm ashamed to say I didn't try more samples as I didn't want to be the obnoxious tourist. But you can order online, so why the hell not go that route too to support. The museum portion of the shop is at the basement level where you descend questionable stairs, but it's not questionable when you get down there. Historical cheese artifacts from days present and past are present, with a cheese photo booth of all things. Needless to say I used it of course. The whole surface level is the cheese shop. This small shop was such a gem. We walk so many canals throughout the city trying to admire it all but knowing I won't measure up. There are so many original historic buildings with the history listed. It starts raining again and Lindsay and I stop in a cafe and just watch it come down. I try Aperol for the first time and drink this amazing hot cocoa while watching the city and learning a new friend's world.
One of the oldest cafes in Amsterdam is Winkel 63. I'm not really sure how I found this place, but I head to it solo at some point and wait about 40 minutes for a barstool. It was worth it. The line is long and moves slow for this little corner shop that used to be a livestock goods stall. It's small and cozy and the place I wish was next door to where I live. The staff is lovely and muscles through my terrible Dutch, though their English is perfect. I came here to try bitterballen, it's supposed to be some of the best in the area. Ground meat fried into beefy meatball sizes served with mustard. Wash it down with a glass of water and you're in heaven. The shop had these enormous pieces of apple pie that they're also known for, and seeing them across the bar I salivated even more. I can't express how tempting it was not to buy one, but it was slightly smaller than my head and I never would have been able to finish it all, so I voted not to waste the food. Next time Winkel.
This brings us to the red light district. Everyone's heard the name at one point or another, but I really didn't have too much of a background on it prior to visiting the city of Amsterdam. One of the local guides that introduces us to the area gives us some background on the district, and it's not as bright as the lights make it out to be. He shares that about 50% of the workers in the area are forced into labor, and this makes my skin crawl. I'm suddenly very conscious of where I am and feel wrong about being there for some reason. A few of the younger trip-mates wanted to see the district at night when the streets are bustling, if it's for good I don't know, so we accompany them since I'm a little concerned for a few of them. I feel pretty awkward most of the time
walking the canal along the strip and very much avoid look at the neon framed windows to avoid making any mistakes in accidentally offending someone. Obviously they are in windows and transparent for a reason, but it's a difference of culture I guess. Anyway, I'm gonna stop talking now, I really went to just see the city lights at a distance. Still a beautiful place. The lights on the water sparkle and I take the time to look at every puddle on the street, because it's just different than mine somehow.
Amsterdam to Paris puts on probably the longest bus ride I've ever taken, and the views are worth it. The green
lands of Amsterdam are bright and full of life that comes in all sizes, and as they slowly merge, they turn into the prairies of France. The fields are full of yellow patches that become miles of floral land. Old houses and villages with churches, cattle and farms are filled with vibrant green shades and just seem to go on forever. I didn't realize we'd be driving through Belgium, I wish I could've stayed longer. I didn't really know what to expect from Paris, but it turns into a special kind of adventure. For starters, the bus ride usually should take about 5 hours, it took 6, which isn't so bad, but felt very long while driving through Paris itself due to some crazy traffic. We arrive at the hostel and within an hour are back on the street exploring. I wish we had more time here after seeing it. With the delay it was maybe a day that we got in Paris. I mostly remember the city at night. how the city shines unapologetically whether its light or dark out. Our guide here was amazing too, the funniest and most candid guy. Apparently he was guide to the Kardashians while in Paris, pretty crazy. While walking through one of
the well known parks, our group blocks a path which I'm very aware of and try to stand to the side, a woman walks right through us interrupting the guide with her son on a tricycle. This I didn't mind, but the guide was not having it. Immediately he says something along the lines of "No go right ahead and interrupt my tour with your toddler, it's not like he's going to win the Tour du Franc". And I'm just biting my tongue trying not to laugh, you can see it on everyone's faces as well. And she didn't even blink. France is incredible. Our guide takes us to Cafe Voubon while singing, yes, the man is multi-talented and we slurp down the smoothest hot chocolate and a madeleine since we're running behind. Luxembourg gardens and palace show themselves, we drive and stop at the Arc du Triumph (also huge) and the insta girlies are out in full force. It was still beautiful, completed carved from stone. Concord square, Shoms de lize and the Egyptian tower is 34 centuries old. He's just a wealth of knowledge and you can tell he's proud of it. What a history.
Of course we take the train, explained to us by our multi-country guide that "French trains don't give a fuck about you, so you better move fast". This I understood as it's the same at home. They're this beautiful light blue color with metal framing and have such an old timey look (not very articulate, I know.) We emerge from the station and it's about dusk at this point, we turn a corner and all of a sudden the tower is there. I understand why they're called towers now, because they loom and exist over everything. Selu brings us right before the lights sparkle at the top of the hour and it's feet from the water. I just want to stare at it's wonder all night, and that's what I get to do because take a cruise along the Seine. I still can't say it right, but I'm grateful for it. Some snack and talk while on the roof of the boat, others like us just look out and soak it all in, amazed that this is even our life. Even the bodegas and little supermarkets found on random streets are so nice here. We stocked up on snacks like fresh berries and some type of Seagram's I had never seen before heading to the tower earlier. The calmness over the water and utter disbelief is more than words say.
During our time here, even though it was short, we crammed so much into a day and a half. Including the food. At one point or another, a small group of us stops at a cafe in a quiet part of town eating in a sunroom type of area. The rain gently pats the ground and world outside and I just get to sit there and watch. I try risotto, ratatouille and escargot while we're here and it's all wonderful. There are bicycles and motorbikes everywhere, that seems to be the main mode of transport in Europe I'm learning.
Notre Dame, though still being renovated following the terrible fires, is still incredible from the outside. The stain glass windows are as big as the moon, maybe bigger and the spires that wrap the building reach for the sky. Oh, and the Louvre was beautiful too, interesting design choice in entrance. We walk the seine now seeing it during the day and cover as much of the city as possible while breathing it in. I don't even know how many pan au chocolats I've had since being here, I eat them each morning, even the hostel serves them. I also try escargot, which I didn't think I'd try, but it ends up being very good, tastes just like pesto but with some crunch. I end up buying feminine pads that are humungous as I'm on my period at a corner store and book it back to the hostel after not knowing which train/bus to take to make it in time for the evening cabaret. I change real quick and meet the group heading to the cabaret in the lobby, it's supposed to be nice so I spruce it up a bit.
After taking the train again and winding through street after street in countless turns, we come to the Paradis Latin, one of the most famous cabarets in town. I had a great time, though I'm sad to say the others at my table didn't as much, though I don't really know why. During dinner service, a lone singer who's wonderful let's it all out in French and English on a simple stage and most are wondering as nicely as I can put it "Is this what we paid for?". The idea creeps into my mind too, but then the actual show starts and all of that is gone. Throughout the evening performer after performer group dazzle the stage and the audience with extravagant dance routines and song. Hanging from the ceiling, moving stage pieces, props, it's insane. The costumes they don are flamboyant and fun and beautifully made and the food matched it. Oh, and lots of lights. It's a full on production. When the show ends, we head back to the train and get into an elevator that brings us to the surface. At this point it's 11 or 12 at night, and I'm very aware of how loud the rest of the group is being. A French man in the elevator with us actually shushes the group and I'm thankful for it. A good last experience of France before we head out in the morning.
Switzerland, man what a place. You were one of my favorites by far. I feel like I've connected with each place on this path so far but I'm still so sad I didn't get more time with you, though I feel like I made it last while we were together. We find our way on a bus headed towards Lucerne and the scenery is unlike anything one could write about. The mountains are so tall they pierce the sky and sit quietly with smooth snow on their peaks. We go for miles and miles through country road, getting further from the city and all you see is green and shades of deep gray and blue. There's fog right in front of your face that sits right on the ground with the mountains to keep them company. On the occasion I see a house or a structure, but all of it is just earth. The inn we're staying at is beautiful and homey and I can't believe there is life way out here. The small village/town we're staying in is just quiet and peaceful, part of me wishes I was here alone. I'm amazed at the room we're given. Three beds and this beautiful balcony that just takes my breath away. The alps are RIGHT THERE. I wake up and the first thing you see from the
bed is the mountains. It's a dream that I'm living. We're shown the area and see the Museggmauer tower, there are so many types of trees and landscapes. The stairs are steep, old and made of stone and wood, but I climb all the way to the top finding an old clock tower no longer in use. It's narrow and a little scary, but the thrill of it pushes you through. The views are amazing and it's like you're on top of the world. While in Lucerne, I immediately go on the hunt for chocolate to bring back for mom and I speed walk all throughout Old Town in hopes of seeing everything in an hour. The pasta I have at La Barca cafe is so tasty and I live a wonder of walking the Chapel Bridge. It's one thing to see photos online, and I've seen many, but walking it with my own feet is something else completely. It's walking on water, literally. There are paintings and stories told throughout the bridge from centuries past that I try to read, but it's a busy spot so I don't stop much. Part of the bridge is damaged due to fires a few years ago, but it's still perfect to me. This is another city where bikes and mopeds rein supreme. The modernness of the city paired with historic buildings is so trippy and interesting. We keep moving forward but we keep and respect what has passed. Dinner is in a smile modern dining room at the inn/hostel and we're having fondue. GAH, so glad I paid extra for this. The white Russian definitely helped too. You can see the air outside getting colder and darker and it's so beyond majestic. Tomorrow can bring nothing but goodness.
Morning is here and it's time to brave the alps. Yes, the SWISS ALPS, I get to do that. WHAT?! Mount Titlis has a name that makes the boys giggle and these beautiful blue and red cable cars. You need to take two separate cable cars to reach the top because it's so enormous. On the ground there is green everywhere with a small bit of snow leftover from the winter, but as you climb the peak, you're transported to a white paradise in the sky. I wonder if this is what God sees. There are flurries outside our tiny car and I can't stop staring. I'm not great with heights, so I'm gripping the bottom of my seat this entire time, but as we rise through the clouds, my fingers ease up. The second cable car is a 360 view cable car, and just when you can't think it can possibly get any better, it does. I'll let the photos speak for themselves here. Though the clouds were pretty thick the day we went, it was still totally worth it. I stood on a mountain. Eating ice cream. We go tubing down a smaller part of the mountain and get pretty soaked but we laugh and scream while doing it. At one point while exploring the upper observation area, I take two steps into the snow and immediately collide with Ashley knocking both of us on our butts. I just laughed and laughed. The building in which rests on Mount Titlis is five floors high with different activities and things to explore reside. We see the Titlis ice caves which are ice top to bottom, including the floor. There is a chair lift for the truly brave, photo ops and of course a gift shop. While here I scarf down a foot long sausage and some fries, and they're very good. We spend most of the day up here, and I dread descending because that means saying goodbye to this amazing place. I silently promise the mountain I'll be back someday. In the evening head to a local bar around the corner for a chill evening of playing pool and a few drinks. We could have spent a week here, and the time wouldn't have been enough.
The next morning I'm dreading more than any other time on this trip. I somehow need to face that we're leaving and I have no idea when or if I'll be back. The bus ride from Engelberg to Italy begins, so it's not all bad. The mountains continue to move through the sky and reach so high that the clouds can't keep up. There are small happy houses perched on the mountains and the water is so blue it's not possible it could be real. Slowly the homes begin to change from Swiss style to Italian. The mountains as we continue into Italian territory are literally covered in trees, small waterfalls are everywhere. Farms, vineyards and the greenest grass you've ever seen are a constant and the sky starts to clear up. The signs on the highway change languages as if they know who's land it is and you can tell we're moving into Como. I'd move in tomorrow if I could. Italy. I've waited so long to meet you. We had not even a few hours in Como but man I hope I can come back soon. The mountains are COVERED in trees and you can see buildings starting to pop up in the distance. As we move further in you can see Lake Como on our left and it just sparkles in the sun. The skies are so clear and blue here with toy story clouds scattered about. We walk around the city a bit and I'm reminded of what grapevines look like. Because we're only here for a few hours, we basically sprint back to the bus so we can keep driving towards Venice.
After a week of having chilly summer weather, our first day in Venice is a dream. We have a guided tour with a woman who was a plethora of knowledge, immediately down some well anticipated gelato (yes, it's as good as they say). We tried a few different places, but I'm so glad we went off on our own and found a little local spot with the gelato covered in metal containers, it was perfection. One of my favorite parts, a glass demonstration and trip to the Murano Glass Factory. I didn't know this was on our list of stops and am shocked I don't have a heart attack from excitement. The glass master had a lifetime of experience and creates this beautiful glass figurine horse in a matter of seconds before us. I wish I could have bought it right then and there, but that's not how glass works. After the demonstration, we're lead into the shop area of the building where they try to sell you their masterpieces. And it works, very well. Because I bought a set of Romeo and Juliet glasses for Justin and I as a wedding gift. The entire showcase and storefront is filled from floor to ceiling with every color or exquisitely crafted items, from jewelry to chess sets. I carried those classes I bought in a box on my back for the rest of the trip to make sure they didn't break, totally worth it. The canals of Venice are as beautiful as they say. I got to see them during the day and night, and they're special all the time. On our first night in the city, we're on the hunt for our dinner, which is eaten later here, and come across a small restaurant with tables outside right next to a canal. I can't remember what I ate but I remember it being amazing. Our check came in an oyster shell.
The blue/green tinted water runs on for miles around the island, alongside buildings like streets to a sidewalk and under small bridges. We're treated to a gondola ride, because what's Italy without doing that, cannoli's, billini's and a boat ride to and from the town. There's a wine tasting in the afternoon that most of the group pays to attend, but I hang back at the hostel on my own and the quite is so nice. It's been an exhausting and amazing trip, but there's literally no down time, so I'm really glad I took the evening for myself. I pick up Chinese food from a little local shop around the corner from our hostel and watch the new Bridgerton show on my phone in bed. Life's good.
After exploring as much of Venice as possible in one day, the next morning, before we're back on the bus and headed into Tuscany, I stop at another cafe near the hostel to try Italy's coca, it's so smooth. On the ride out, the Italian countryside keep us company, and just like Switzerland, dozens of farms and little houses are scattered right off the road. There are lakes and streams that follow the route and as we approach the territory of Tuscany, red, yellow and beige villas with tall trees welcome us. You can see vineyards and wineries on every other hilltop, it's like pizza in New York. Or, Italy I guess.
The Tuscan region of Italy, including Florence where we're headed is known for it's craft leather. It's so
interesting how each region of Italy is known for its' own specialty. Day one we're introduced to the Mercado Central which are two full streets of leather based stalls. Some are faux, some are real, but it's cool to look around and soak in the smells. Selu grabs us arancini to try, which is huge and fried and delicious on a chilly day, and there are so many tiny shops, lots of leather and bags being sold. Pizza from the Central Market is not scarce as most stalls and booths have it. At some point I try pasta with truffle and I'm convinced I'll never come home, because why after you've eaten that? A few of us wander the streets and window shop while just admiring the vibe here. Gnocchi with meat sauce, Bistecca, fennel and pecorino with white wine during dinner with the group is also on the list. Every building has hundreds of years of history and have stayed the same in ambiance and size. This slim restaurant treats our group with a combination of family and royalty, it's just such a joy to be there. The server who I believe is a co-owner treats us to Limoncello after our meal and it's just something out of a movie. We walk the streets at night and there's a peace to the city. The country sides in Florence are incredible and just roll, I can't believe how many Cyprus trees and villas there are, there's every shade of green imaginable. The hotel we stayed at was perfect as well. I'll never forget just flinging open every window in the place to soak in the air and get a view at the simple little buildings across the courtyard. (Before I forget later, the photos below are from Florence and Orvieto).
The town of Orvieto was a hidden gem I wish I had more time with. While it was more of a stop on our route, It rocked my world. the city is like a fortress, because it used to be. Placed on top of a small mountain, one of the only methods in which to access it is by cable car train, that takes you at what I can only explain as a 45 degree angle up the hill. The city takes you back in time with it's stone streets and gothic, brown and beige tinted homes, buildings and businesses that you can only dream about, you never actually think it's real. Needless to say I had to pinch myself a few times while we were here. It was unbelievable, I thought someone was going to wake me up at any point. So many of the buildings had these paintings and stories from long ago in all sorts of colors and gold along the high front walls of the city. The cathedral is one of the first things you see as the bus we hop turns a corner and shows you the town central square. I'm dying to eat in this place. One place that made Orvieto especially rock my world was Trattoria Mezza Luna. Thank God for Google, because without it I wouldn't have known it was here. A teeny tiny restaurant that, and I mean this literally, I thought was a cave. I'd be a bat on the wall if they'd let me. I'd give any limb immediately to get in that kitchen and learn. A gentleman of maybe 70 runs basically the whole front of house (about 10 tables) by himself. He's a seater, server, bus boy, and owner. He's just incredible and I'm in awe of how much he's doing solo. I'm not exaggerating when I say this was the BEST, yes, THE BEST spaghetti carbonara I've ever had. I cried. Deeply. It was perfection on planet Earth. The bread was warm and fresh and it was a half moon stone style restaurant. A city on top of a mountain, what a wonder. Oh, and obviously the views were fantastic. Lord please send me back here one day.
Eventually, we move on to Rome. Now, I'm a New Yorker, so I know crazy driving when I see it. I also live in Phoenix,
enough said there. IT goes without saying our bus driver was a little off his rocker with the wheel too. But Rome was a special breed of driving. Paris had it's own brand of crazy too, but this was just nuts. Lane line are more of suggestions and crosswalks may as well not exist to the eyes of a Roman driver. We got one nice day of sunshine in Venice, and Rome brings us back to more rain. We're here in the evening, so we get a quick tour of Rome that shows us the major attractions like the Pantheon and the city at night. Selu gets us gelato since he's such a nice guy and the streets are lined like Venice by tall buildings that hold shops and cafes as far as the eye can see and around every corner with outdoor tables and lights strung about. It's like my own personal Christmas in my mind and in front of my eyes. Official day one in Rome takes us to the Basilica of St Paul, outside the walls are beautiful. It's raining again of course, but inside the basilica it's like the sun shines from above. Every since inch of the place is covered with precious materials like white stone, ivory (I think), marble, gold and jewels. The Catholics really like their churches. The ceilings are massive, held up by strong Herculean type pillars that look like they were made by the Gods. If it's even possible, the ceiling is the most amazing feature here. I don't even know how to explain it so I'll just let the photo do the talking. People MADE THIS. What?!
In town, there's Jewish artichoke to try and bruschetta is calling my name. at a cafe where we sit under a tent on this rainy day trying not to get splashed. This area is known as the Jewish Ghetto and it's nice, even with such a history that stretched from Germany. We're also shown the legendary Coliseum and the Roman Catacombs which feature an underground church. The small tombs carved out of the walls are something you can't exactly process. There are paintings that archeologists had discovered some years ago on the tombs of the walls.. Coming back to it, the Coliseum is grand and makes a statement anywhere in town. There's always floods of people as a local guide tells us so much about it I couldn't possibly recite all of the information. The history as why the Coliseum was built is both fascinating and tragic. But it's good to know your history. To wrap up the day, we of course end with a afternoon/evening pasta class which is quiet and simple. The chef makes it look so easy. It was tasty as hell too. Our group of 30 some-odd people sit in a Victorian style room together at long tables to enjoy the meal and the servers bring us red wine while we at. How is this even my life at this point? I have a note that we had a night out in Rome too, but I don't remember much of that. No alcohol involved.
Exploring the city is a ride because there's so much to see. There's graffiti of the city, it's everywhere, more than New York. There are tons and tons of people on mopeds and Vespas, flower stands can be found on every other street corner. My last day of the journey and of Italy takes me home. But not New York or even Arizona. It's a home I wanted to find most of my childhood. After briefly reconnecting with my father's side of the family after 20+ years of accidental no contact, my Aunt and Uncle, incredible people they are, fly to Rome and walk the city with me for the day. It's the beyond perfect end to an unforgettable experience. 10 hours feels like 2 as we walk what feels like every street in the city, as well as every shop and cafe. They give me the most wonderful gifts from Greece in the morning as we sit at breakfast, including one for our upcoming wedding. I could just cry at the generosity. I know they say the Greeks feed you, and I'm usually the one doing the feeding, but I must've eaten 4 or 5 separate times that day, and I've never been happier. I eventually let them buy me an outfit from H&M (note, Guess Store), and Andreas shares stories about my father I've never heard before. It's like living a movie in every way. They look so alike it's like I'm talking to him directly. Voice, personality, it's amazing The Egglezos family are kind and generous as he was. During the day we eat the most amazing panna cotta, frappe, eggs with tomatoes and pasta mid-day. We walk slowly through the city and I feel like this will last forever, because it does in my mind. I'm still there. Eventually, our goodbyes are said in front of my group's hotel and they take a taxi to head home.
The day ends with a farewell dinner with our group at a small Italian eatery not a block away from our hotel and the owner is the kindest man who's taken so much pride in his life's work at this restaurant. You can taste it in his food. We've grown close as a group over just under two weeks together, and I'm glad to say I'm still in touch with several of them now. Hugs outside the restaurant are exchanged, even for those who hadn't spoken much during the journey, but we're all in the same melancholy and happy space at the end of a new life.
"It is necessary to be a stranger once in a while."
Thank you.
Comentarios