Rome day 4, april 2nd

Why hello there, Today was supposed to be a half day commencing with a trip to the roman forum to do the guided tour, however our plans hit a major road block called “oh crap we forgot to book hostels ahead of time and now they're all booked” So instead of leaving at lunch for Milan we sat in the common room attempting to fix the mess we were in. A few hours later, round 1, we'd been up since 8, we had it all planned. We would skip Milan and Florence and instead go to Naples for a few days and then go to the lakes, which are by the Swiss alps and the vacationing spot of the rich and famous. Immensely relieved we headed out and decided to explore the forum for outside of the fences and save our money. The forum was amazing especially if you imagine it being the was it was years ago, it just makes you want to travel back in time. We saw Paul's prison which unfortunately was closed indefinitely for renovations. We spent quite some time here just taking it all in as well as taking many, many picture and then headed back to the hostel to change before going out again. We went back out at around 7 with the plan being to go to Artu a trendy local wine bar that serves a free snack buffet with the purchase of a drink. Alas, yet again events transpired, instead we were distracted by the masses of people flocking toward the Colosseum. We finally figured out that the hype was because it was the start of the Easter weekend and the pope was making his speech to commence it. Or at least I think thats what he was doing. It was incredible, people everywhere, a cross made of candles and the chanting, singing you here in Monasteries. Truly, an unforgettable experience. We made our way from here to an irish pub we saw on the way, Artu being abandoned due to the fact that the free snacks were now closed, where we played pool with 2 indian guys pardeep and fareed.

Rome day 3- april 1st

So all our money got stolen and brendon got mugged.
April fools. Lame right? Never was to good at the april fools things, I always tended to make them to outlandish and believable, like hey Britney, elementary school girlfriend, my dad got a job in B.C and we're moving, sorry but we're going to have to break up. Needless to say she didn't find it funny.

Moving on today was a semi relaxed sort of day. We decided that we needed to go to the pantheon as well as the spanish steps and then back to the Colosseum for our tour. We made our way to the pantheon and were quite worried about the amount of time it would take to get there as our map seemed to show that everything was ridiculously far apart. Nonetheless our map was wrong and we got there as quick as can be. Honestly, it was amazing, the flocks of tourists surrounding it took away from it but it was so huge and magnificent I could help but be awestruck. The scaffolding surrounding it was impressive as well, scaffolding surrounding ancient structures seems to be a trend here in Rome and I must say it gets a little annoying when you can only take a picture of half the intended subject. Anyways from here we left and went to the Piazza del Popo, which was very cool and made even ore impressive by the amazing blue sky dabbed with clouds, in the background. We wandered from here with the intention of going to the spanish steps and accidentally happened upon them, not srpising considering we just followed the masses of english speaking camera laden tourists like ourselves. We emerged from a small alley to see the steps basked in light, a beautiful as can be were it not for the million tourists sprawled across them eating McDonalds (I guess the Americans just missed home)

We walked up the steps hoping to take some great pictures of the view from the top and as we were about halfway up we were stopped by a Spanish guy who looked to be about 20. Now you have to understand there are people, mainly men, attempting to scam as many tourists as they can, from bubble water guns and cheap plastic sunglasses to half dead roses. This was no different. He took my hand and wrapped some string around it, the kind you use to make bracelets at camp with, really cheap and colourful. He wrapped it around my thumb and despite my constant assertion that I had no money, I did but there was no way I was giving it to someone whose employ was wrapping string around dumb tourists wrists, He continued to make a bracelet spewing crap about luck and love. He finished and then, surprise! He asked for money, telling me that this was his job. I told him that there was no way I was paying for this and that I told him that at the beginning. He grudgingly took to off my wrist and went in search of a more gullible tourist. I went to find Brendon and found that he too had fallen under the charm of these talented men, but had given in and paid a Euro 1.50. We went to the spanish steps and took in the amazing view. I remarked to Brendon that I wished there were no cars in rome and that it should be like ancient times. The city is just so dirty.

We left and headed to the Colosseum even though my camera was out of batteries. We arrived I being the cheap stingy guy that I have been since the start of this trip suggested doing the tour some other time, preferably when we had working cameras. So instead we basked, read and slept in the sun. Then we headed back to the hostel to rest a bit, travelling and having no responsibilities gets really tiring, and watched a movie at the hostel before going out for dinner. Brendon really wanted Caio e pepe, pasta with roman cheese and pepper. He had that and I had a 6 euro pizza which was huge and had egg, ham, shrimp, mushrooms and tomatoes. Luckily I hadn't eaten anything today so I was able to afford it.

We finished our meals, which were very good, probably due to Italy being the birthplace of both pasta and pizza., headed back to the hostel and went to bed.

Adios
Joel

Day 2 (March 31) in rome.

Most of this day was spent seeing the historical sights although it should be noted that we probably picked the worst hostel to stay at in rome, probably as a result of the 19 a euro night cost, complete with one bun for breakfast and nothing to do. We left the hostel following said glorious meal and took the metro to the city centre were we saw a historical basilica that turned out to be more of a public advertisement for Galelii and the theory of relativity and how god fits into the world of science. Afterwards we left and wandered our way to the santa maria monuments where we also involved ourselves in some Italian filming, walking through the set. Yes this does signal the breakthrough for yours truly's acting career. We made our way to the trevi fountain and Brendon grabbed food on the way there, I abstaining in an effort to be cheap and save my money, although I must admit his sandwich looked mighty good. We made our way to the fountain which was amazing and I took a boatload of pictures, rocking the over-exposure shots to get the water in action. I also managed to look so good that an italian asked me to take her picture, kidding. Although she was quite cute and the language barrier is a right piss off. We left and got lost once again, seems to be a trend? And stopped for Brendon to buy a belt (didn't happen cause it was too much and white!!!) and then chilled on the steps of the Rome equivalent of the met and read as I Lay Dying by good ol' William Faulkner.



We then finally found the Colosseum, which was quite impressive and a great photo op. I chilled on the grass and read whilst Brendon wandered, we plan to go to the tour and that whole shebang tomorrow. On the way back I bought my lunch/snack ( it was 4.00) I got a bag of ritz crackers and cor-something cheese and an apple for very cheap. We left the colosseum, with our plan being to drop off our stuff at the hostel and then wander back around the city and end up at a pub we knew was playing the barca- arsenal game. Due to the horrors of Italian Transport, this did not happen. Instead we spent the next 2 hours sitting on an (expletive) bus going the wrong way. By the time this was realized the game was starting and we had to hop on the Metro, now open again and headed to the Irish pub. Who would have thought Irish Pub, Carlsberg, Dutch people, Chips (fries), Arsenal and Rome could fit into one night. Well they do because we did indeed catch the metro back on time and got to the but in time to find it packed, ergo we met a dutch couple on their honeymoon. Vincent and “I forget her name” both were avid football fans, supporting Ajax and PSV (AJAX!) and made for great companions to enjoy countless carlsbergs, chips and one amazing game. Arsenal came back and tied it up after being down 2-0 at half.
Well that was our night and we headed back to the hostel tired and ready for bed, till we met the annoying school group that was staying there and I accidentally left it slip that I was Canadian and from Toronto, some random drunk school girl was also from T.O and went wild at this news. Example of how drunk she was, she was petting my jacket and wondering whether or not it was jean or leather. Brendon was waylaid by some drunk Italian guys who wanted him to introduce them to the girls in the school group.

Needless to say we fled fast and are now safe in the common room without internet much to Brendon's chagrin.

That's all
oh and I'm pretty sure I met Marla from fight club but italian....

adios
Joel

Venice day 4- April 1st

Woke up the next morning and eat, oh how I love these small shoddy breakfasts, the brendon, Adam, and I went to the train station and wandered Venice for the last time. Brendon and I bade farewell to adam and some of the other people at the hostel and then grabbed our stuf and.... missed our train. Which ended up being fine since there was one that left within an hour of the last one.

The train ride was just amazing as the Italian countryside, rolling hills and mountains frequented by castles vineyard and farmland, was amazing. The train ride was only 4 hours so it wasn't that bad and I mad friends with a Nigerian guy who wanted to come to Canada due to a lack of work in Italy while Brendon slept. We arrived and rocked good ol' McDonalds, cheap and horrible, then hopped on a bus packed with literally one million annoying 16 year old students (school group) hoping that the direction we were headed was the right way... It was.
We arrived and found out it was cheaper than all the others, 19 euros a night, and for good reason breakfast isn't included and its pretty shitty. Apparently it was the barracks for the athletes in the 30's for the olympics and let me just say that I wouldn't have wanted to be an athlete in the 30's..

'Nuff said,
I'm headed out for a drink at the book bar, a bar where people drink wine and discuss books!!! Yes Life is good right now. Although not speaking italian might make the discussion quite interesting.

adios for now
Joel

Day 3 Of Venice--March 30 (last day)

Woke up at 6.30 to the sound of the other restless hostellers rummaging around. Went back to sleep till 7.00, which is when breakfast starts. Slept till 8 which is surprising considering my alarm was supposed to go off at 7.30. Oh, well. Brendon's still asleep, not surprising considering he was up till 1.30 or so last night, most likely watching lost.

Ate breakfast which requires a token and therefore means we can't take 2^nd and 3^rd helpings and take them with us as lunch. (This is what we did in Vienna) Went upstairs , woke Brendon and got my towel, a bedsheet, (oh the life of luxury that I live) and went to grab my shampoo... and realized I forgot it in the shower and someone stole it. Its a valuable commodity around here. Went downstair and paid 2 euros for body-wash and shampoo, brendon's got stolen too, my fault, and then showered. During my shower I.... just kidding I'm not describing my shower. Although the water pressure was just amazing.. (sarcasm)

I finished and went to the laundry mat to wash our clothes, clad in cutoffs, Birkenstocks and a t-shirt. Its really not that warm but all my pant were dirty. Arrived at the laundry mat and just like a classic italian movie, the shutters were flung open and a grizzled old man inform us that it was “closeda”

Arrived back at the hostel and here I am writing as Brendon grumbles about missing breakfast. Hes drinking tea that's a total ripoff and for the price of 60 euro cents consists of literally one of the smallest cups I have ever seen. To top it off he swiped a handful of cornflakes before they cleared them away.

And now I leave you, in search of a Laundry mat.

Well the laundry mat was easily found and took half of our day as well as almost 10 euros each. It made me never want to wash my clothes again.

Following the wasted half of our day we took a trip to Lido, using our superior navigation skills we managed to board the water bus and ironically the fastest one. Lido, to me was quite boring, compared to the advertisement for a spectacular beach. As Brendon remarked, “It looks like Port Daloushie?” So the beach was nothing special, however following the past few days traversing an island devoid of cars, the presence of cars as well as roads came as a shock. Lido seemed to be rich part of venice, complete with posh cars and huge houses. As boring as it was it couldn't have been that bad, consider a whopping 5 hours were spent there. We were quite excited by the lizards that we found constantly sunbathing. Oh so easily amused are we. We went back to the island and wandered our way to the train station, we wanted to see if our “compulsory” reservations could be done right before we got on the train. On the way there the consensus was passed to skip dinner and raid the grocery store.

We ended up with a huge box of crackers, fresh italian bread, butter and fresh cheese from cortini. Very good food, and cheap costing us each 5 euros and we were still eating well into the next day.

Finding the train station took about an hours.. oh we are such navigators (sarcasm) and took us double that to get back. But on the way back we were rewarded by seeing a glimpse of the filming for the movie the “tourist” with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie We ended up back at the hostel and packed, thinking we would call it an early night. Ie- 9 for me and 11 or 12 for Brendon. However fate transpired against us as we met 3 really cool guys and hung out with them till 1.30.

We were the ultimate group of diversity, Maxie, a wake boarding Ozzie, Adam from wigan and Kier from L.A

We talked well into the night, Maxie was amazed by wakestock and listen to adams extensive music collection. Combined we had been to Prague, Switzerland, austria, France, Sweden, Denmark, Germany Holland, Spain.... it was impressive to say the least.

Well 1.30 came quite quickly and we were kicked out of the common room and sent to bed.