We re staying on the island Lido, which is right off of the main island of venice. Far less tourist, nice beaches and way more italian. It seems like this island is where the rich italians go to vacation and hang out for the summer, funny how all rich people flood to the beach.
Our schedule of the day is based on the world cup games and who is playing. We've found a great outdoor bar to watch the games at. The usa vs ghana game was heartbreaking to say the least.
We spent about 5 hours walking around St. Marks and the classic Venice. It was hot, there were wayyyy too many tourists and I felt completely overwhelmed. Venice is defiantly something to see, there is nothing like it. But after you see it, there's really nothing else. It is merely a vacation spot, but a pretty one.
Its weird being here I have realized that my backpacking days are over, I'm on vacation now. Its great to be on vacation with enza but the adrenaline of backpacking and constantly moving and meeting new people is over, and it makes me sad. Let's hope I can adjust back to the reality of real life in a couple of days.
Paris on tuesday, tampa on thursday... Damn, time is disappearing.
Monday, June 28, 2010
florence: art overload
Dumo. Its so amazing on the outside, so detailed and in pretty colors and right in the middle of the city. We decided that we wanted to go all the way up the dome, all 467 stairs... Great exercise but that's a long way up! The ceiling of the dumo is incredible and walking up we got an amazing view of it. And the view from the roof was so amazing, lots of pictures were taken.
Boboli gardens- the old Medici estate. We spent a great afternoon walking around in the trees.
David- michelangelo is a genius. I was completely blown away by his sculpture and we were there for awhile just looking at the david. It really was amazing.
Uffizi gallery- whoa, so much art. I think I overloaded on the art at the uffizi, my brain couldn't take anymore renaissance art. Highlights were botticelli and caravaggio.
Boboli gardens- the old Medici estate. We spent a great afternoon walking around in the trees.
David- michelangelo is a genius. I was completely blown away by his sculpture and we were there for awhile just looking at the david. It really was amazing.
Uffizi gallery- whoa, so much art. I think I overloaded on the art at the uffizi, my brain couldn't take anymore renaissance art. Highlights were botticelli and caravaggio.
Friday, June 25, 2010
fooooood
Florence food. I think I might have eaten my body weight in food. The hostel had the best breakfast, you can't go wrong with an egg sandwich to start the day.
Then there was the amazing cafe that totally kept us going. Its surprising how such a tiny cup is packed with so much caffeine.
Pizza, pasta, bread, wine, cheese... Its all just so good, where ever you get it the food is amazing.
We had an amazing caprese salad one night- I've never had such good tomatoes.
Wine, its cheap and its good. I don't know anything about wine and I'm not going to pretend I do. I just know I only drink white wine and house white wine in italy is really good.
Gelato. A day wasn't complete without gelato. Strawberry was a favorite as well as mint, whiskey, and cafe.
I'm going to seriously start exercising when I get home.
Then there was the amazing cafe that totally kept us going. Its surprising how such a tiny cup is packed with so much caffeine.
Pizza, pasta, bread, wine, cheese... Its all just so good, where ever you get it the food is amazing.
We had an amazing caprese salad one night- I've never had such good tomatoes.
Wine, its cheap and its good. I don't know anything about wine and I'm not going to pretend I do. I just know I only drink white wine and house white wine in italy is really good.
Gelato. A day wasn't complete without gelato. Strawberry was a favorite as well as mint, whiskey, and cafe.
I'm going to seriously start exercising when I get home.
florence
This city really is incredible. Over the last few days we have really gotten to know florence and have loved our time here. The city is small, no metro so you have to walk everywhere which is great. I can't imagine how much we have walked over the last couple of days. But we did it all. We conquer florence in 4 days.
The ponte vecchio bridge was definitely a highlight. Its a bridge that is full of small jewelry shops. Enza and I spent so much time just starring at the windows of all these places. I knew that a cameo ring was something that I really wanted from italy. Enza helped me look at a million of rings before I decided which one I wanted, just so excited to have my own cameo from italy.
The world cup has also been a big
deciding factor of scheduling our days. I, for some reason am in love with soccer right now. We have met some interesting people watching the games in random pubs and its been a lot of fun. Thank god the states won- that was fun but then italy lost which really sucked, there were a lot of angry italians.
Florence is awesome.
The ponte vecchio bridge was definitely a highlight. Its a bridge that is full of small jewelry shops. Enza and I spent so much time just starring at the windows of all these places. I knew that a cameo ring was something that I really wanted from italy. Enza helped me look at a million of rings before I decided which one I wanted, just so excited to have my own cameo from italy.
The world cup has also been a big
deciding factor of scheduling our days. I, for some reason am in love with soccer right now. We have met some interesting people watching the games in random pubs and its been a lot of fun. Thank god the states won- that was fun but then italy lost which really sucked, there were a lot of angry italians.
Florence is awesome.
siena
On our way to florence we decided to make a small stop in siena. After a train, bus then another bus that took us around in circles for awhile we ended up in siena.
The city is small and really precious. Very confusing streets that wind around and seem to lead nowhere though. We stayed for awhile in Plazza del Campo which was great to people watch. We watched old italian women walking together with linked arms and small children running around- it was adorable. Also a lot of older people were taking care of their grandchildren. We sat and watched this old man probably in his 70's sharing lunch with this cute little girl and they walked around holding hands. We visited the famous Siena Duomo, which was incredible and stripped. Probably one of my favorite cathedrals I've been in- and I've been to quite a lot over the last couple of months. We had a nice lunch and then was back on the train to florence!
Great day trip!
The city is small and really precious. Very confusing streets that wind around and seem to lead nowhere though. We stayed for awhile in Plazza del Campo which was great to people watch. We watched old italian women walking together with linked arms and small children running around- it was adorable. Also a lot of older people were taking care of their grandchildren. We sat and watched this old man probably in his 70's sharing lunch with this cute little girl and they walked around holding hands. We visited the famous Siena Duomo, which was incredible and stripped. Probably one of my favorite cathedrals I've been in- and I've been to quite a lot over the last couple of months. We had a nice lunch and then was back on the train to florence!
Great day trip!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Things to note from rome
-Enza meeting me, finally!
-Our dutch man
-Enza met Enzo
-The self picture taking woman
-"when in doubt follow the nuns"
-Goal list
-Enza being widely popular with her italian blood
-Me loosing my book and forcing enza into every book store
-Pretty italian shoes
-The cook at the hostel
-fabulous cafe
-too many americans (the most americans I've run into on my travels)
-weird pizza with peppercorn, salmon, and blue cheese
-world cup taking over our lives!
-fathers day signs :)
-Our dutch man
-Enza met Enzo
-The self picture taking woman
-"when in doubt follow the nuns"
-Goal list
-Enza being widely popular with her italian blood
-Me loosing my book and forcing enza into every book store
-Pretty italian shoes
-The cook at the hostel
-fabulous cafe
-too many americans (the most americans I've run into on my travels)
-weird pizza with peppercorn, salmon, and blue cheese
-world cup taking over our lives!
-fathers day signs :)
last day in rome
We had a lot to cover the last day and it was fathers day so we had to figure out something. We got a late start due to a late night of too many bars. It was also raining which just makes everything a little more complicated, thank god for my raincoat.
Spanish Steps- damn, that's a lot of steps... And in the rain I'm glad I didn't fall on my butt. I loved the view of the small streets from the top though.
Trevi fountain- so massive and so many people. We sat there forever and people watch and laughed at everything. Threw a coin in for good luck and took a million pictures.
Football!!
Italy vs New Zeland at the park. Huge crowd, huge screen tv big speakers, so many italian flags- it was crazy. There was a four year old with an air horn behind us that got excited too often. It was fun to be in such a big group watching the match, I'm so into these football games its odd. Italy tied and no body was happy about that.
It was a great last day now onto florence!
Spanish Steps- damn, that's a lot of steps... And in the rain I'm glad I didn't fall on my butt. I loved the view of the small streets from the top though.
Trevi fountain- so massive and so many people. We sat there forever and people watch and laughed at everything. Threw a coin in for good luck and took a million pictures.
Football!!
Italy vs New Zeland at the park. Huge crowd, huge screen tv big speakers, so many italian flags- it was crazy. There was a four year old with an air horn behind us that got excited too often. It was fun to be in such a big group watching the match, I'm so into these football games its odd. Italy tied and no body was happy about that.
It was a great last day now onto florence!
vatican city
We had a plan. Get up early and go to the Vatican. I don't remember the last time I was up and out the door at 7:45am, but we were and really excited too. St. Peters opens everyday at 7 and the Museum opens at 9, our plan was to beat the rush.
We got to st.peters around 8:20 and there really wasn't anyone in the piazza and the sun was coming up and it was all very magical. We were able to go into st.peters without waiting in any lines or anything, which was awesome. I was totally blown away walking in and then Enza hits me on the shoulder and says look, and there to the right was the Pieta. I have always wanted to see the Pieta and finally I was standing in front of it. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have every seen and in st. peters, I found it to be really emotional. There weren't a lot of people around so it was even more special just sharing the moment between us. St. Peters is unbelievable and so overwhelming. Everywhere i looked was an alter or a statue or a shrine to a pope, there is no way to see everything fully. The main alter was another highlight, we just stood there in awe for a good while. Also I found the ceiling to be very cool. When we left the basilica there was already a long line outside- beat the rush!
Onto the museum, which already had a huge line even though it just opened. We ended up waiting in line for a hour, behind some crazy spanish girls. We got student tickets for 8 euros (!!) And we split an audio guide to listen when we wanted to. Highlights: the gallery of the tapestries (also the ceiling), the gallery of the maps, Laccon, Belvedere Torso, the Rafael rooms especially The School of Athens (its always really awesome to see something that I've studied in real life, perspectives totally change).
Then after a long wait and many rooms of crazy modern art we were at the Sisten Chapel. I always have pictured in my head what it was going to look like and what kind of room it was going to be but it was nothing like I thought. The room was darker and bigger than I expected and completely crowded with noisy tourists. The guards just kept yelling at people taking pictures or to be quiet. It wasn't the peaceful chapel that I'd imagine. I mainly focused my attention to Michelangelos Last Judgment, which I found to be remarkable. Of course the center painting of Genesis where their fingers almost touch is amazing. I tried my hardest to ignore my surroundings and focus on the art, but I found it hard. The art itself was incredible, but it wasn't the experience I was expecting.
We got lunch and sat in St. Peters piazza, which was packed and then sent postcards to our family from the vatican. I'm really never going to forget the Pieta, its surprising that something that's behind glass and 15 feet away can still be so emotional and breathtaking.
We got to st.peters around 8:20 and there really wasn't anyone in the piazza and the sun was coming up and it was all very magical. We were able to go into st.peters without waiting in any lines or anything, which was awesome. I was totally blown away walking in and then Enza hits me on the shoulder and says look, and there to the right was the Pieta. I have always wanted to see the Pieta and finally I was standing in front of it. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of art I have every seen and in st. peters, I found it to be really emotional. There weren't a lot of people around so it was even more special just sharing the moment between us. St. Peters is unbelievable and so overwhelming. Everywhere i looked was an alter or a statue or a shrine to a pope, there is no way to see everything fully. The main alter was another highlight, we just stood there in awe for a good while. Also I found the ceiling to be very cool. When we left the basilica there was already a long line outside- beat the rush!
Onto the museum, which already had a huge line even though it just opened. We ended up waiting in line for a hour, behind some crazy spanish girls. We got student tickets for 8 euros (!!) And we split an audio guide to listen when we wanted to. Highlights: the gallery of the tapestries (also the ceiling), the gallery of the maps, Laccon, Belvedere Torso, the Rafael rooms especially The School of Athens (its always really awesome to see something that I've studied in real life, perspectives totally change).
Then after a long wait and many rooms of crazy modern art we were at the Sisten Chapel. I always have pictured in my head what it was going to look like and what kind of room it was going to be but it was nothing like I thought. The room was darker and bigger than I expected and completely crowded with noisy tourists. The guards just kept yelling at people taking pictures or to be quiet. It wasn't the peaceful chapel that I'd imagine. I mainly focused my attention to Michelangelos Last Judgment, which I found to be remarkable. Of course the center painting of Genesis where their fingers almost touch is amazing. I tried my hardest to ignore my surroundings and focus on the art, but I found it hard. The art itself was incredible, but it wasn't the experience I was expecting.
We got lunch and sat in St. Peters piazza, which was packed and then sent postcards to our family from the vatican. I'm really never going to forget the Pieta, its surprising that something that's behind glass and 15 feet away can still be so emotional and breathtaking.
rome: day one with enza!
After waiting all day for enza she finally showed up at the train station at 10 and of course I had a glass of vino waiting for her.
the first day
The colosseumm: whoa. Its so cool. I, surprisingly was really into the colessum. I found it more interesting than the Eiffel tower or the acropolis, maybe because they use to battle lions in there? And it seems to be that the romans were pretty bad ass.
Pantheon: down a small quiet street and there it is the pantheon. They were working on the front so half of it was covered with scaffolding, which sucked. Circle of light inside was pretty cool and we kept calling it the light of god.
Lunch was really nice. Since our hostel gives us breakfast and dinner we were able to go to a restaurant for lunch, I haven't been to a restaurant in probably two months now... So... Sitting down at a restaurant on a side street of rome in the middle of the afternoon was wonderful. They did charge us for water and bread... Not cool.
This city has so much to offer and it really is an incredible place.
I'm so glad that I have my best friend to travel around rome with- we re having too much fun already.
the first day
The colosseumm: whoa. Its so cool. I, surprisingly was really into the colessum. I found it more interesting than the Eiffel tower or the acropolis, maybe because they use to battle lions in there? And it seems to be that the romans were pretty bad ass.
Pantheon: down a small quiet street and there it is the pantheon. They were working on the front so half of it was covered with scaffolding, which sucked. Circle of light inside was pretty cool and we kept calling it the light of god.
Lunch was really nice. Since our hostel gives us breakfast and dinner we were able to go to a restaurant for lunch, I haven't been to a restaurant in probably two months now... So... Sitting down at a restaurant on a side street of rome in the middle of the afternoon was wonderful. They did charge us for water and bread... Not cool.
This city has so much to offer and it really is an incredible place.
I'm so glad that I have my best friend to travel around rome with- we re having too much fun already.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
official
I have decided I'm officially a backpacker. I have bruises on both my hip bones from my pack. Hard core.
solo traveler no more
every hostel, every city there are the standard questions
whats your name
where are you from
how long are you traveling for
where have you been
where are you going
whats your favorite city
who are you traveling with
etc etc....
when i tell people where Ive been and that im traveling alone they all give me this strange look. There really arent many solo female travelers (i didnt meet any in jordan or israel) and the fact that im in my early 20s doing this has surprised a lot of people. So far I have loved it. I have met amazing people and then leave them before i get sick of them, its great. I have also done things completly my way not having to go by anyone elses schedule, that freedom is awesome.
Today, everything changes. Enza comes and I couldnt be more excited to travel with my best friend. Itll be a new adventure thats for sure.
ps made it to rome and am amazed.
whats your name
where are you from
how long are you traveling for
where have you been
where are you going
whats your favorite city
who are you traveling with
etc etc....
when i tell people where Ive been and that im traveling alone they all give me this strange look. There really arent many solo female travelers (i didnt meet any in jordan or israel) and the fact that im in my early 20s doing this has surprised a lot of people. So far I have loved it. I have met amazing people and then leave them before i get sick of them, its great. I have also done things completly my way not having to go by anyone elses schedule, that freedom is awesome.
Today, everything changes. Enza comes and I couldnt be more excited to travel with my best friend. Itll be a new adventure thats for sure.
ps made it to rome and am amazed.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
split croatia
Split is an amazing city. Its an old roman city (of course) so the center of the city is built around roman ruins. The people seem eastern european to me, like very hard working and worn down, but there is also that laid back Mediterranean vibe so its an interesting dynamic. Split is real small with cobblestone that wind around. Its a city that is so small so you can't get lost in but constantly trying to figure out where you are because everything looks the same. Its so nice thought to not have to deal with buses, metros everything I wanted was in real short walking distance.
Market: the outdoor markets here are great. All theses older tough looking woman sit out side again trying to sell their fruit. I got a kilo of cherries from a woman who was just sitting eating a raw potato. There is also a fresh fish market, those woman are badass. They handle those fish without gloves and wipe their hands on their dresses.
The beaches here are not very good. The sand is littered and dirty and its so busy. The people play a weird ball game where they hit this little rubber ball with their hands to one another. The water of course is amazing. I have heard that the islands right off of split have great beaches but I never made it out there.
Night swimming after coming out of a club will be one of my favorite memories of croatia though.
Somehow my life in croatia has been scheduled around the world cup games. I am really getting into the games, and there are always people to talk to about sports so I feel like its good knowledge for me. I have decided that besides the states, the netherlands will be my team. I have meet some great dutch people traveling and they have all been the nicest people. And the netherlands has one of the best teams so they actually have a chance of winning.
Split has been a great place for me to chill out and relax before I begin my journey through italy with enza. It was unexpected but so great. I would love to come back and explore more of croatia, I feel like it could be one of my favorite places.
Market: the outdoor markets here are great. All theses older tough looking woman sit out side again trying to sell their fruit. I got a kilo of cherries from a woman who was just sitting eating a raw potato. There is also a fresh fish market, those woman are badass. They handle those fish without gloves and wipe their hands on their dresses.
The beaches here are not very good. The sand is littered and dirty and its so busy. The people play a weird ball game where they hit this little rubber ball with their hands to one another. The water of course is amazing. I have heard that the islands right off of split have great beaches but I never made it out there.
Night swimming after coming out of a club will be one of my favorite memories of croatia though.
Somehow my life in croatia has been scheduled around the world cup games. I am really getting into the games, and there are always people to talk to about sports so I feel like its good knowledge for me. I have decided that besides the states, the netherlands will be my team. I have meet some great dutch people traveling and they have all been the nicest people. And the netherlands has one of the best teams so they actually have a chance of winning.
Split has been a great place for me to chill out and relax before I begin my journey through italy with enza. It was unexpected but so great. I would love to come back and explore more of croatia, I feel like it could be one of my favorite places.
dumb and retarded
The hostel I have been staying at has a really nice bar that everyone goes to watch the football (soccer) games. Most travelers I have met are Australian so when Australia played Germany the other night it was a huge deal! There were so many people the bar was crowded and really fun. Then, these US Navy boys showed up because they got the night off from their ship. At the time I was talking to a girl from Canada and we introduces ourself to one guy and he looks at the girl from Canada and says: What part of the states are you from. The girl said, oh im from Canada. Then the Navy guy says: oh wow you have really great english. I looked at him and said SHES FROM CANADA! He resopnds by: they speak english in canada? How was i suposed to know that? ..... i just had to walk away.
It only got worst though.
These boys got so drunk and so righteous American ass-holes talking about the war in Afghanistan and how they were so great because they were helping rebuild a country. They just got so drunk and more and more crazy and radical. And of course this just got other people talking about Americans and the war and our politics and that's never a good idea at a bar. I was also the only other American there besides those Navy boys... I have never been so embarrassed about my nationality. Everyone else at the bar knew that I was American because I was there the previous night supporting the football team so they all just kind of looked at me in an apologetic way.
It only got worst though.
These boys got so drunk and so righteous American ass-holes talking about the war in Afghanistan and how they were so great because they were helping rebuild a country. They just got so drunk and more and more crazy and radical. And of course this just got other people talking about Americans and the war and our politics and that's never a good idea at a bar. I was also the only other American there besides those Navy boys... I have never been so embarrassed about my nationality. Everyone else at the bar knew that I was American because I was there the previous night supporting the football team so they all just kind of looked at me in an apologetic way.
food in greece
i miss the food in greece.
the feta
the fresh fruit- i bought an entire kilo of peaches one day and ate them all
tomatos (!!!!)
feta
gyros - perfect for the budget travler and so so good
feta
the juice- i dont know how greece produces so much great fruit but they do
feta
gyros
baklava
i could live off of greek food for the rest of my life
the feta
the fresh fruit- i bought an entire kilo of peaches one day and ate them all
tomatos (!!!!)
feta
gyros - perfect for the budget travler and so so good
feta
the juice- i dont know how greece produces so much great fruit but they do
feta
gyros
baklava
i could live off of greek food for the rest of my life
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Croatia
Well,
Im writing this post in the laundry mat, listening to Beyonce with this really nice Croatian girl that runs the mat.
Im in Split, Croatia. It only took me about 36 hours to get here from Greece with a stop in Italy --but already I feel like its totally worth it.
i took a shower and now am washing my clothes- pure joy.
World Cup Game tonigh USA
Im writing this post in the laundry mat, listening to Beyonce with this really nice Croatian girl that runs the mat.
Im in Split, Croatia. It only took me about 36 hours to get here from Greece with a stop in Italy --but already I feel like its totally worth it.
i took a shower and now am washing my clothes- pure joy.
World Cup Game tonigh USA
ferries.... ahhhh....
I have now spent two nights on ferries. I'm over it.
the first night I had to go from Greece to Italy. Then I decided I wanted to go to Croatia (what!?) so had to get on another over night ferry to Croatia...
Last night was the first time that I really felt homesick and was completely ready to be done with this trip.
Im over passport control (Ive been through 3 in the last 24 hours)
feeling dirty- dont even want to say how long its been since i had a shower....
having dirty clothes - hand washing doesnt work on a ferry...
sleeping on ferries (!!)
annnddd when I got to Italy my credit cards didnt work, which is always too stressful.
the first night I had to go from Greece to Italy. Then I decided I wanted to go to Croatia (what!?) so had to get on another over night ferry to Croatia...
Last night was the first time that I really felt homesick and was completely ready to be done with this trip.
Im over passport control (Ive been through 3 in the last 24 hours)
feeling dirty- dont even want to say how long its been since i had a shower....
having dirty clothes - hand washing doesnt work on a ferry...
sleeping on ferries (!!)
annnddd when I got to Italy my credit cards didnt work, which is always too stressful.
Corfu
After an all night bus trip I finally made it to Corfu, Greece.
The island is so different from the southern islands, no white houses with blue doors or donkeys. Corfu is also a big island so there is a whole population that lives there, unlike a Ios and Santorini that seemed to be run by the tourists. Since its so far north there is a huge Itallian influnce that really changes the dynamic of Corfu as well. Corfu has the cutest small villages that remind me of a movie or something -older women in kerchifes hanging clothes out to dry and older men just sitting around smoking playing cards. It was great. The first day I was there I got to go around on a scooter and see a lot of the island and the amažing landscape. There is a lot to explore in Corfu, I didnt explore as much as I could because once again I got sucked into the beach and spending wayy too much time out in the sun. I cannot seem to get away from the Med. Sea!!!!
Through my hostel, which really is like summer camp for backpackers, I went on a boating trip. It was awesome. I jumped off cliffs and went into a bat cave and spent all day on a boat, what more could I ask for. I could have eaisly been sucked into spending a week in Corfu but after two nights (which seems to be my limit everywhere) I decided to head to Italy...
The island is so different from the southern islands, no white houses with blue doors or donkeys. Corfu is also a big island so there is a whole population that lives there, unlike a Ios and Santorini that seemed to be run by the tourists. Since its so far north there is a huge Itallian influnce that really changes the dynamic of Corfu as well. Corfu has the cutest small villages that remind me of a movie or something -older women in kerchifes hanging clothes out to dry and older men just sitting around smoking playing cards. It was great. The first day I was there I got to go around on a scooter and see a lot of the island and the amažing landscape. There is a lot to explore in Corfu, I didnt explore as much as I could because once again I got sucked into the beach and spending wayy too much time out in the sun. I cannot seem to get away from the Med. Sea!!!!
Through my hostel, which really is like summer camp for backpackers, I went on a boating trip. It was awesome. I jumped off cliffs and went into a bat cave and spent all day on a boat, what more could I ask for. I could have eaisly been sucked into spending a week in Corfu but after two nights (which seems to be my limit everywhere) I decided to head to Italy...
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
what to do what to do...
I came to Greece with no real plan. The only thing I really have planned is to meet enza in rome on the 17th. Its a long time without a plan but its also really fun to not have a schedule.
I thought that I would spend more time in the greek islands but ferrys are more expensive than I thought, and I don't want to travel by myself around the islands. I thought about going to Istanbol, but that is the opposite direction of rome... So I decided after Ios to go back to Athens. In trying to save money I took a slow ferry that took all day long.
I booked a really cheap hostel in Athens and now I know why it was so cheap- it is in an awful location. there is a brothel across the street that did provide some entertainment last night from the roof top bar, but location is everything.
I found a dance studio in greece that I had planned on taking classes there for the next couple of days. I was trying to find the studio and on the map found a short cut that was close to my hostel. Well this shortcut was wayy more than I thought. I started to walk down the street and all of a sudden it starts to get pretty busy. Then somehow I walk into a group of dirty men who are hold syringes and injecting each other with what I would assume is heroin. I just froze, I couldn't move I just stared at them and then this group of people looked up at me. Finally I got myself to move and realized that everyone around me is completely strung out- at noon! I have never been so scared in my entire life. I got out of there as fast as I could but got completely turned around. I finally reached a main street and this well dressed clean cut guy comes up to me and told me I was sexy... That is when I completely lost it and decided that I had to leave athens. I've never felt unsafe traveling by myself until then. As a single woman I don't think I can stay in cheap hostels that are in bad locations, I can't afford that risk. Back at my hostel I fought with the guy to give me back my 13euros for that night, cause I was getting the hell out of there.
After that I really had no plan and more so than ever wanted to take ballet class. I decided that regardless I was going to find the dance studio and take class, just go the safest longest way possible. The dance studio was great, it had big windows that overlooked the acropolis. I never felt so happy to dance and have art back in my life.
I figured it out that I could take a 10pm bus to corfu, which is where I need to be to go to italy so off I go...
I thought that I would spend more time in the greek islands but ferrys are more expensive than I thought, and I don't want to travel by myself around the islands. I thought about going to Istanbol, but that is the opposite direction of rome... So I decided after Ios to go back to Athens. In trying to save money I took a slow ferry that took all day long.
I booked a really cheap hostel in Athens and now I know why it was so cheap- it is in an awful location. there is a brothel across the street that did provide some entertainment last night from the roof top bar, but location is everything.
I found a dance studio in greece that I had planned on taking classes there for the next couple of days. I was trying to find the studio and on the map found a short cut that was close to my hostel. Well this shortcut was wayy more than I thought. I started to walk down the street and all of a sudden it starts to get pretty busy. Then somehow I walk into a group of dirty men who are hold syringes and injecting each other with what I would assume is heroin. I just froze, I couldn't move I just stared at them and then this group of people looked up at me. Finally I got myself to move and realized that everyone around me is completely strung out- at noon! I have never been so scared in my entire life. I got out of there as fast as I could but got completely turned around. I finally reached a main street and this well dressed clean cut guy comes up to me and told me I was sexy... That is when I completely lost it and decided that I had to leave athens. I've never felt unsafe traveling by myself until then. As a single woman I don't think I can stay in cheap hostels that are in bad locations, I can't afford that risk. Back at my hostel I fought with the guy to give me back my 13euros for that night, cause I was getting the hell out of there.
After that I really had no plan and more so than ever wanted to take ballet class. I decided that regardless I was going to find the dance studio and take class, just go the safest longest way possible. The dance studio was great, it had big windows that overlooked the acropolis. I never felt so happy to dance and have art back in my life.
I figured it out that I could take a 10pm bus to corfu, which is where I need to be to go to italy so off I go...
spring break mtv style
Santorini is pretty, romantic, and stunning but we were ready for more excitement so I headed off with emily and joci for the island of Ios. The ferry was filled with 20somethings and "tonight's gonna be a good night" by the black eye peas were playing... Let the party begin.
Ios is a small island that gets completely overtaken in the summer by backpackers and Australians. Ios is nicknamed the spring break island, and that it is. Everyone just sits by the pool and on the beach all day and just party's all night. We arrived around noon and nothing was going on but within the hour the beach was packed, it really did look like a mtv spring break party. I stayed at a place right on the beach in a small hut without a real roof, I felt like I was camping and it was only 10euros a night.
Everyone goes into town for the night. So around 1030 we headed into town to get coffee (at a precious coffee shop), eat gyeros, and begin the night. I was glad that I was with a group of girls to party with and dance with all night. It almost would have been impossible to be on the island by myself. Walking back from the town at 5am was quite the adventure... Through small paths with donkeys and sheep on one side and the sea as our guide. I have never in my life seen so many stars. the two girls kept laughing at me because I kept talking about the stars, I don't see very many stars in philly and for sure have never seen that many!
Its a funny place, mainly because it isn't a real place. There really isn't any culture or substance just a non stop party. Every place has a limit, my limit for Ios was two nights. I was worried if I stayed there any longer I would have gotten melanoma or my liver would have given out. It was fun but I came to greece for more than a party and was over the tourist aspect of the entire place.
Ios is a small island that gets completely overtaken in the summer by backpackers and Australians. Ios is nicknamed the spring break island, and that it is. Everyone just sits by the pool and on the beach all day and just party's all night. We arrived around noon and nothing was going on but within the hour the beach was packed, it really did look like a mtv spring break party. I stayed at a place right on the beach in a small hut without a real roof, I felt like I was camping and it was only 10euros a night.
Everyone goes into town for the night. So around 1030 we headed into town to get coffee (at a precious coffee shop), eat gyeros, and begin the night. I was glad that I was with a group of girls to party with and dance with all night. It almost would have been impossible to be on the island by myself. Walking back from the town at 5am was quite the adventure... Through small paths with donkeys and sheep on one side and the sea as our guide. I have never in my life seen so many stars. the two girls kept laughing at me because I kept talking about the stars, I don't see very many stars in philly and for sure have never seen that many!
Its a funny place, mainly because it isn't a real place. There really isn't any culture or substance just a non stop party. Every place has a limit, my limit for Ios was two nights. I was worried if I stayed there any longer I would have gotten melanoma or my liver would have given out. It was fun but I came to greece for more than a party and was over the tourist aspect of the entire place.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Santorini
Athens isn't really that exciting its a great city but what makes greece exciting are the islands. I didn't know where or what island to go to but I decided to go to Santorini. Emily (who I bungy jumped with) and her friend, joci were also headed that way.
I took an all day ferry to get there, it was long and slow and really boring. when you get off the boat there are so many people with signs yelling to stay in their rooms and hotels its a little overwhelming. Since I was meeting the two girls there I knew where i was staying but trying to find the sign for the hostel with everyone yelling at me was a little crazy.
I got to the hostel and only cared about getting to the beach. I think I pissed the guy off at the front desk because I really wasn't listening to him. It was so nice though sitting on Perissa beach reading, it was great. I had to buy more sunscreen though since I'm deathly afraid of getting more freckles and it cost me 22 euros! Beach life isn't cheap but so so great.
The next day the two girls and I went on a full excursion of Santorini. We did a tour that took us on this cool old wooden boat to the volcano, hot springs, remote island (that I don't know the name of) and Oia. It was a long day but filled with a lot of fun. The volcano was a little bit of a hike and I had the wrong shoes on so my feet started to hurt but a lot of great pictures were taken of the sea from there and it was my fisrt time on a volcano. There was no lava or smoke... Which was a little disappointing...
The hot spring! It was pretty cool we had to jump off the boat and swim a good 50 yards to the spring. The sea was so cold and of course I screamed when I jumped in. I can't remember the last time I actually swam though so I got tired but also was having a great time. The hot spring was warm and I didn't want to leave.
Then we went to the remote island which was what I picture in my head greece being. Small, white houses with blue doors pretty water view, there were no beaches though just rocks. But it was great there was an old man working on his boat and donkeys chilling and stray cats running around and it was peaceful.
The famous sunsets Oia. Ahh so amazing. The small town is the cutest picturesque town ever. We were there for awhile walking around, going into the shops and eating the most amazing balkava ever! There are so many small expensive villas there with well dressed gorgeous people hanging around, I want to be hanging out with them! I also wanted everyone I know to be in Oia with me watching the sunset because it was so picturesque. Its funny the place is swarmed with people for the sunset and then everyone leaves and it becomes a ghost town. Ahh it was great though.
Santorini has been the first place that I've totally been ok with leaving because I know that ill come back one day.
I took an all day ferry to get there, it was long and slow and really boring. when you get off the boat there are so many people with signs yelling to stay in their rooms and hotels its a little overwhelming. Since I was meeting the two girls there I knew where i was staying but trying to find the sign for the hostel with everyone yelling at me was a little crazy.
I got to the hostel and only cared about getting to the beach. I think I pissed the guy off at the front desk because I really wasn't listening to him. It was so nice though sitting on Perissa beach reading, it was great. I had to buy more sunscreen though since I'm deathly afraid of getting more freckles and it cost me 22 euros! Beach life isn't cheap but so so great.
The next day the two girls and I went on a full excursion of Santorini. We did a tour that took us on this cool old wooden boat to the volcano, hot springs, remote island (that I don't know the name of) and Oia. It was a long day but filled with a lot of fun. The volcano was a little bit of a hike and I had the wrong shoes on so my feet started to hurt but a lot of great pictures were taken of the sea from there and it was my fisrt time on a volcano. There was no lava or smoke... Which was a little disappointing...
The hot spring! It was pretty cool we had to jump off the boat and swim a good 50 yards to the spring. The sea was so cold and of course I screamed when I jumped in. I can't remember the last time I actually swam though so I got tired but also was having a great time. The hot spring was warm and I didn't want to leave.
Then we went to the remote island which was what I picture in my head greece being. Small, white houses with blue doors pretty water view, there were no beaches though just rocks. But it was great there was an old man working on his boat and donkeys chilling and stray cats running around and it was peaceful.
The famous sunsets Oia. Ahh so amazing. The small town is the cutest picturesque town ever. We were there for awhile walking around, going into the shops and eating the most amazing balkava ever! There are so many small expensive villas there with well dressed gorgeous people hanging around, I want to be hanging out with them! I also wanted everyone I know to be in Oia with me watching the sunset because it was so picturesque. Its funny the place is swarmed with people for the sunset and then everyone leaves and it becomes a ghost town. Ahh it was great though.
Santorini has been the first place that I've totally been ok with leaving because I know that ill come back one day.
jumping!!
For my second day in athens I planned on going to the museums to submerge myself in the ancient culture, but everything changed. When I woke up a girl from my hostel, emily, asked me if I wanted to go bungy jumping with her. Probably too quickly I said yes. It was crazy but soon off we were with other guy to go bungy jumping on the corinth canal. We had to take an hour bus to get there but the bus dropped is off right in front of the place. Within 20 mins we had harnesses' on and were on the bridge looking down at the water. I was so scared, I just kept shaking and really didn't know if I could jump. I made emily and this other guy we were with go before me. I watched as both of them counted down and then jumped off. Finally it was my turn.
I went onto the platform and grabbed the instructors shirt and would let go. I had to close my eyes while they were getting everything ready finally everything was ready and I had to walk to the edge which was almost impossible. I made it out there my toes to the edge and put my arms out, then the instructor started counting down. I closed my eyes. 5, 4, 3 I opened my eyes... And started to count 2... 1... And I jumped and screamed my head off. I stopped screaming for a moment and it was incredible, I heard nothing only saw the water and the rocks and it was surprisingly peaceful, the I started to bounce and started to scream again. It was fun swinging down there upside down I felt like I was flying. It was really fun and over too fast. When I got up to the platform I had to sit down because I was still shaking. I'm still shocked that I did it, but I did !
I went onto the platform and grabbed the instructors shirt and would let go. I had to close my eyes while they were getting everything ready finally everything was ready and I had to walk to the edge which was almost impossible. I made it out there my toes to the edge and put my arms out, then the instructor started counting down. I closed my eyes. 5, 4, 3 I opened my eyes... And started to count 2... 1... And I jumped and screamed my head off. I stopped screaming for a moment and it was incredible, I heard nothing only saw the water and the rocks and it was surprisingly peaceful, the I started to bounce and started to scream again. It was fun swinging down there upside down I felt like I was flying. It was really fun and over too fast. When I got up to the platform I had to sit down because I was still shaking. I'm still shocked that I did it, but I did !
Friday, June 4, 2010
greece greece greece
flying from egypt to athens was really exciting. I looked outside the plane and saw the Mediterranean sea and the greek mountains, it was wonderful I was so happy. Getting into athens and to my hostel from the airport was really easy- it was a nice change from egypt. The first thing I did when I got to athens was find a laundry mat and wash everything. I don't know when the last time I used a machine was! Ahhh clean clothes is such a great feeling.
My hostel is in a perfect spot, right next to the acropolis. the bar on the roof has a perfect view of the acropolis lit up at night, its insane. The first night I was there, a group of us went out from the hostel. All being new to the city, and drinking too much the acropolis was our only guide back to the hostel which was an experience in itself.
I went on the big tour around athens the first full day. I think I am on overload of ancient ruins. I have seen some amazing human wonders of the world that its starting to be hard for me to comprehend any more. I walked all around the acropolis in the middle of the day, but I feel like I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. I got tons of photos though so at least I can say I've been there.
My hostel is in a perfect spot, right next to the acropolis. the bar on the roof has a perfect view of the acropolis lit up at night, its insane. The first night I was there, a group of us went out from the hostel. All being new to the city, and drinking too much the acropolis was our only guide back to the hostel which was an experience in itself.
I went on the big tour around athens the first full day. I think I am on overload of ancient ruins. I have seen some amazing human wonders of the world that its starting to be hard for me to comprehend any more. I walked all around the acropolis in the middle of the day, but I feel like I didn't appreciate it as much as I should have. I got tons of photos though so at least I can say I've been there.
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