July 4 in Venice

Somehow I managed to fall asleep in balmy 90 degree weather with little more than a single ceiling fan to cool off. We paced towards the train station with Franco at 4:15 am. Our train was leaving the platform at 4:30. It was still dark and some people were out from the evening's activities. A few bums and their possessions littered the floor. we maneuvered through the platforms to board for bologna centrale. The traveling time was 3 hours on the first leg. Two guys peered through the glass partition at us. It made me feel uneasy because they seemed to follow us from the street corner and definitely appeared to be up to nothing good. Soon enough, the train was in full swing and both franco and rory were out for a bit. Our transfer was at platform 9 for venizia.

We arrived in Venice by 9 a.m. and quickly ferried for San Marco Square. It was more spectacular than anything I ever imagined. It was truly magical to see a city lined with canals and romantic gondaleer rides. What didn't feel magical was the crowded metro ferry with stinky tourists who herded around us. I kept peering out to catch a glimpse of the "water buses" with crushed velvet and Persian rugs. Franco had told us that a ride would be a minimum of 80 euros and I could see why with all the work that went into rowing passengers.

Cinque Terre-Monterroso

We roamed the streets of Pisa during the early morning hours with a mixed group of locals and travelers as ourselves. At one point, the locals started to the "Best of Communist Hits." They shouted Bob Marley's Redemption through the small alleyways. Suddenly their off-pitch melody was met with a showering of water from one of the homes above. We wiped off and headed to a piazza with another group of wanderers. They were strummimg guitars ad singing too. I exchanged info with Rachel as we planned to train to the beaches in a few hours.
After talking to Jaypee our hostel host, we decided to go to Cinque Terre. This is a coastal resort area near pisa. It's five villas on the ocean. The charming little towns were first discovered by backpackers in the 70's. The furthest village out Monterroso was our destination. After one connection, we arrived in Cinque Terre. A British couple informed us of the best route. I snapped photos of the countryside along the way. The beaches were filled with orange and green umbrellas and numerous brown-skinned people soaking up the sun's rays. Little shops and restaurants adorned the hillsides. After purchasing our return ticket, we walked down to the beach and then through some of the hidden streets to hotels and shops. There was a stone man chiseled into one rock formation. Our cameras kept clicking along the way. We stopped briefly for pizza margherita and sodas. I layed on the beach while rory explored the area. I noticed how open people are with nudity although it wasn't a nude beach. I saw older changing clothes on the shoreline bearing their bottoms while puffing on stogies. Some small children ran through the water's edge completely naked. I passed a woman that had her child suckling at her nipples. We continued up the incline towards the gellato stand. The path took us through a tunnel cut into the foothills that opened to the water. We met a couple from the san fran bay area. The woman was a principal and we chatted about their school system as compared to ours in the baltimore area. Our trek continued on through the quait village. Some shops were "closed until after the game." Europeans are serious about their world cup. I bought a few trinkets and gifts and then we hiked up a gigantic hill near a monastery where a St. Francis Assissi statue looked out over the ocean. You could see how clear the water was near the coastline. People paused to take pictures and point out the four other villas off in the distance. As we winded towards the bottom, we could see a couple of homes looking out over the fantastic view. Our trail opened up to the side of the village that we began the journey. It was time to edge towards the platforms.
We arrived back in Pisa near 11ish. The Fashion Show was over and the Garibaldi piazza was in full swing once again. I nearly crashed onto my pillow and was out while the chaos of the crowd continued below.

Visions of the Leaning Tower-Pisa Day 2

Tour of the leaning tower. Shopped the neverending markets and kiosks. Bought mom's thimble, post cards, magnets, marble wine stopper, and two towers. Met local artisan that crafts bracelets and necklaces from stainless steel cutlery. He also engraves the inside of the jewelry as part of the gift. Bought one for peter and myself. Truly a unique gift with lots of flair. The artist implored the tourists with humor and showmanship. "You're set for your picnic" he said. Beyond the alley, we arrived back to the Duomo. Nigerians with knockoff or stolen goods pushed towards the touristds. "You like. I give you good price. Take one minute."
Hiked the tower and took many pictures of the scenic duomo and center of pisa. The italian tour officials had little humor for the touristas and did not converse with us other than to say, "Keep going!" This was said over and over. The first level was netted and barred from anyone falling. The second hike took us to the top where there was no guardrail protecting us. The lean of the tower did not help matters. I clung to the tower wall and attempted the grab a rail towards the final tower. "Keep going!" was the chant. We took video and pics as we soaked up the sites with those nearby. Our descent was much nicer as we neared the bottom.
Toured more of pisa including the university and other stores. Once we arrived at Garibaldi, we met the new travelers next to us. Heather and Sabrina from London and Rory and I grabbed drinks at the piazza bar. Rory and I went back to our room after the shops and restaurants closed up. We decided to venture out amongst the locals. We took pics on top of the bridge next to a young Pisan strumming his guitar. Then we walked across the bridge to the other piazza. People streamed out of the last bar closing. We met Ryan and Rachel. Rachel's from Germany but originally hailed from Arizona.

Garibaldi Square, Pisa-Day 1

June 30, 2010
Paid 30 p to use bathroom at Stanstead Express train station.

Day one: walked to outskirts of Pisa before locals pointed us towards the city centre. Garibaldi Piazza and Duomo are main attractions. Tumbled upon the leaning tower and took our token photos of pushing against the tower. Almost looks photoshopped. Visited Pam's for grocery items. Picked out prepared salads, tomatoes, lemonade, salami, enemental mild cheese, and commemorative Italia t-shirts. Pizza and Birra Moretti beers and then watched the piazza spectacle unfold from our frontroom. Pisa doesn't have a pub culture like London or clubs like Berlin but has the Garibaldi Piassa. Our window is perfectly right above all the local action and with alcohol flowing they have no idea that we're snapping photos. No matter what different groups of people move into the cliques--they seem to all know one another. "Oh Ronaldo! Oh Luigi!"

Wimbledon-London Day 4

Bakerloo s toward elephant and castle.
Exit oxford circus. Switch cetral line.
Off at bank, st paul's and tower of london.
Tower gateway to lewis ham

Overground to district line to southfields then district line to parsons green.

Wimbledon tournament in SW London below the Thames River. Watched a women's senior doubles match in its entirety. Brief spat of rain then blaring sun. Walked through five subsequent courts then took a Pimms break. Shopped for gifts and fish and chips. Sat on a junior's women's event: Puerto Rico vs. Great Britian. Prim and proper till the young girl yelled out come on, "Vanamos, f**k. Pretty sure she also yelled, "Gringa!" Bought a souvenir for Pete and myself: Wimbledon keychains.

Museum Day-London Day 3

Directions for Museums:
L crownhill
Walk to crossroads walk round school till misty moon.
Bus stop for 18.
To paddington green police station after the first.
In the direction of the bus: metro.
Circle and district line (green and yellow lines.)
Stop @ S. Kensington.
45 minutes trip

I topped up my tube card and headed for the bendy bus or as the London-natives refer to it--the free bus because no one monitors whether or not you swipe the oyster card. 19 stops later I reached the Paddington green police station. Navigated crosswalks to the circle tube which brought me to S. Kensington. Museum run included: National Gallery of Art, the second arch, Natural History, Science, Victorian Albert, Hyde Park, Cafe, Le Peinquotidian for lunch.


The black lion in kilburn (1 mile from harlesden.)
Walk of valley of death (underground) to anthro and top shop.

American Shows that Brits Like

The List According to Hannah and Sam (not extensive): Friends, Grey's, 24, West Wing, Prison Break, Desperate Housewives, Lost, ER, Frasier, Will & Grace, Gilmore Girls, Fresh Prince, The Hills, OC, Simpson's, South Park (ten years ago), Family Guy, Star Trek, The Cosby Show, Fraggle Rock and Muppet Babies.

Notting Hill-London Day 1

Once at the airport, I located the Heathrow Express which would take me into London proper. This would connect me to the metro line for Paddington Station. I was nearly sold into a sex slave trade by a large Nigerian named Cokely. He cornered me as soon as I stepped out of the elevator and onto the isolated platform. It was definitely a scene out of the Twilight Zone that not one other traveler was in sight. Just my luck.

Eventually, I hailed a black cab at Paddington Hotel. London is notorious for the black cab service and you have to be leery because many run off the meter. This is obviously a problem. I learned to ask up front for the meter, a receipt, and a quote on the rate. In many places, you can haggle on their rate. I reached 68 Sellons Ave. NW by 10:30 a.m on June 24, 2010. My friend Christin's housemate, Sam answered the door and gave me the complete tour including a walk to the Roundgrove Park. The five flatmates live in Harlesden, a working-class community in the southern part of London. I unpacked my essentials and jogged three miles, napped and freshened up. Luckily, I found adaptors for the British outlets. Christin and I headed to Notting Hill after securing an Oyster (metro) card for the underground. "Mind the Gap!" We found a little Mexican cantina, Taqueria, and then a pub named Mason's Arms. Tacos al pastor and chips and salsa were 12 pounds. We wandered in a few souvenir shopped for coasters and tea. One cider ale and pics. Passed a few hostels with major sketch people lingering outside. Will this be foreshadowing of what's to come?

Dinner at Uncle Ali's Pizza: Pizza with goat chz and spinach roma tomatoes. Yummo!

To Do List From Hades

The last two days have been spent running errands, packing, and completing the police report and insurance claim on the stolen property that was in my car at Yellowfin. All new Canon camera equipment was ripped off: Canon Rebel t21, Sigma and Tamra lens, flash, bag, Michael Kors glasses, ipod, and batteries/adaptor. These were items that I planned on taking on my summer trip. Freaking ridiculous people. Settled the claim and dealt with repurchasing equipment, laundry, and various other errands before the 34-day trip.

I was busy up until the moment the chauffeur service arrived. Got through security at a snail's pace as I picked the slowest line only to find out the currency exchange counter was outside of security. I had been told it was located in both the exterior and interior concourse. Limey bastards.

I almost missed the flight due to issues at the CE counter. My cc's were declined--bank error on one card and over-limit on cash advance amount. I called my bank to settle the issue. I went through two completely incompetent people before resolving. Now I have travelers (almost completely useless,) dollars, pounds, and euros. Tried to get passport checkcards--issues.
Eventually, I Made it to the gate to find out that he flight was an hour delayed to Newark airport. The plane was a puddle jumper. I was asked at the kiosk about a possible flight voucher to stay the evening and take the bump. I decided to board and viewed our puddle jumper. A guy quickly latched on to me.

He made his way over to the Continental counter. We made small talk and then he exclaims: "Why are you traveling alone internationally, you barely look 25." I quickly stammered that I was meeting other fellow teachers and would be just fine. He asked to sit with me from BWI to Newark and I suggested that there was lots of couples and families--infer your own meaning. He was offended as he stated that must mean I don't want to sit with him. Grrrr!