Wow, weird to be writing on this blog again!
My journey started off right after my sister's great wedding. I headed to London for one day to drop off one bag before I headed to Rome. I am writing this fast, so forgive the typos! Luke Boga Mitchell, my former Hansard supervisor, was more than willing to take me in for the night. He lives in this fantastic split level flat in Brixton, just south of Clapham Common. I had never been to this area before, but it was absolutely fantastic. Luke and his roommates showed me around the neighborhood, I went to bed early, and got a taxi to heathrow for my flight to Italy.
I headed from Heathrow to Rome, than a connection to Pisa. In Pisa I encountered views of the wonderful Tuscan countryside. I got a train from Pisa to Firenze, where I would be staying the next few days.
First and foremost, Florence was one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been too. The only city I can compare it to is Victoria, but that really does not do it justice. Beautiful Churches, amazing cobble stone streets, and fantastic architecture greeted me at every turn. I got into my accomadations and went out to dinner next to the duomo. Had a lovely conversation with the restauraunt owner. Saw the Palazzo Vechhio and other sites that night. So amazing.
The next day I headed early to the Uffizi gallery. It was incredible inside and out. Great art collection, probably one of the best I have ever seen. Roman statues in a Renaisasance office building. It also had great views of the Piazza Signoria. Florence started becoming even more beautiful than I imagined it would be.
That afternoon I went to the Basicilica in Santa Croce. This is where most of the famous florentines are buried. My favorite church in the area. It also had this little opera attached that had no one there and some of the best pieces in the town. That afternoon I met up with other GU members, specifically Bridget Braley and had dinner with them.
The next day I saw the David and the Archaeological museum in Florence. The David was incredible. I also saw the museo borgello which has the best collection of statues in the area. That night I went to dinner with GU students and spent the afternoon walking around the amazing area with some great new friends. I felt the triteness of Rick Steves in the area, but it was all incredible.
I left the next day on a train for Rome. That afternoon I met a venezualan guy at the Colloseum and went there, the trevi fountain, the basilica of of St. Augustine, Piazza Navona, and the Spanish steps. I also had cool hostel mates from Wales and Lancaster.
The next day I went to trajan's market, the imperial forums, and the forum romanun. I also went to the palantine hill. I was amazed by the roman engineering. Really incredible stuff. I also had dinner in one of the famous piazzas. I ate with a Frenchman who was also eating alone at a great pizzeria. The next day I went to the Museo of Balbica Crypt which is one of the best archaeological sites in Rome. The next day I went to Ostia Antica, which is one of the best in situ Roman sites in the world. When I came back I went to the massive baths of Carcalla. I took in the sun at this hill top perch, looking at over Rome. The next day I went to the Roman suburb of Cerveti and the Etruscan graves there. I was literally the only person there and it is the greatest archaeological site I had ever been too. I headed back and went to the baths of carcalla and the Spanish steps. My final day I went to the baths of Dioelcition, trastevere, and Castle St. Angelo. Mixed in where countless sites within Rome.
I then took the train down to Naples, reading the great book Gamorrah about the Camorra in naples. I took the train from Naples then to sorrento, which is incredible. I had to find my way 1800 feet up with all my gear to this convent I was staying at. It had incredible views of the bay of naples. The next few days involved the amalfi coast, pompeii, and herculaneum, as well as museums in NAples. Naples is perhaps my favorite city in Europe. It sparked a cultural twinge in me that Italy had yet to so far. More on that later. My final day I flew to London. More tomorrow about my orientation in London.
