Roman time

The catalyst of the Empirial age, if you visit Italy it's a sight that cannot be missed. There is history, there is blood, there are sights beyond belief, everything you could want in a city...wrapped up into a place they call Rome.

Once again I have my seperate little sights to visit outside of the norm. They consist of "the House of Monsters" and "The museum of the souls of the dead". When I listed them out to the reception guy for their addresses he sure gave me a funny look.

So time for this leg of the journey...off to see the house of monsters.

However, once I arrive, I'm not only greated by a grotesque looking face, but also unfortunate news...closed for renovation...yippeee. Oh well, it was close to the Spanish Steps, so that was a bonus.



Next stop...museum of the souls of the dead...well...turns out the church that its in...ya not open on the weekends...yipeeeeeeee. Even better. Guess that just means...they want me to see more of Rome.



Off I go...into the heart of Old Rome. Where the ruins are a plenty, and its as if you can see the forms of previous life emerging from the reckage. It's more of a sensation of awe then anything else I could describe. I just stood there, gazing for ages...star struck with what lay before me. I kept thinking to myself...holy cow...I'm in Rome.



The most photos I've ever taking during my journey...here in Rome.



The most pictures of one single place...that brings me to the coolest and most outstanding building I've ever layed eyes on...the COLLOSEUM.



Once a homage of death and destruction, housing fifty thousand people, this fully man made structure at one time was surrounded by marble, had a retractable wood roof, and was covered with a wooden floor, pounds of sand or even better, turned into a lake to have water battles. Pretty intense.



Ever since the Louvre, I've been very skeptical about tours, but I'm sure glad I decided to take one here. Now the guy wasn't the best at speaking english, but he got the main points across, and that was enough for me.



I actually tried asking if I could apply for a position as a tour guide at the Colloseum. Unfortunately, the english speaking head guy was gone for the day...well maybe another time they'll get lucky for that free chance.

Exiting the Colloseum, I was sucked into this enormous ruckus of people...turns out there was a huge political ralley going on...super. Me and some others check out the thousands of people showing their support for democracy...well we sure wouldn't see this in Canada...unless they were giving out free beer.



That night after we returned to the hostel, after a long day of sight seeing, we all started discussing the Colloseum. One of the guys pipped up and suggested we watch Gladiator...now what a good suggestion. Being at the Colloseum and seeing that movie...absolute perfect combination.



To my surprise I've been running into special dates perfectly...Rome was no different.

The last Sunday of every month, the Sistene Chapel and museum are free entrance to all, which was perfect for my budget, but that wasn't all. This very day at noon, the Pope...yes I said that correctly the Pope was giving a speech.



So there I stand in the mayhem of people in St. Peters square watching this little man dressed all in White give a twenty minute speech. This was a once in a lifetime experience...and I was there...this just blew my mind.



Now of course I really couldn't get close enough to get a good picture, but boy oh boy...was that every something.



After the crowd dispersed, we entered a two and a bit line up, for what we thought was the Sistene Chapel, turns out...it was for the Basilica. This wasn't a bad thing, because the Basilica is enormously huge and spectacular. Jammed packed with goodies stolen from the crusades as well as the graves of all the Popes.



Sadly, once we figured out the mistake, it was too late to go to the Sistene Chapel...it had already closed. Well...looks like I'm coming back to Rome.

Still all was not lost. I was able to see the Pope, the Basilica and of course...the silly looking Swiss Guards.



Finally, since it was my last night in Rome we all decided to take in the sights at night. They're all beautiful at all hours of the day, however nightime just makes it seem that much more impressive.

We saw the Pathenon



and of course the Colloseum...just one last time.



Leaving the Colloseum, I gazed one last time appon this utterly magnificient building, vowing sooner or later, I will return.



Rome was complete, and while I was sitting waiting for my flight to Athens I felt nothing, but happiness. Unfortunately...happiness isn't supposed to itch this much. I look down on my left arm...ohhhhh great...little red marks.

Florence, Cinque Terre and Pisa...One day

Arriving in Florence I was just basically using it as a stop over place. Somewhere close to Rome and Pisa. Turns out it was one of the best stops I ended up making. Not really because Florence is all that special, but the place I ended up being invited to. Cinque Terre.

Before I get full into Cinque Terre, I'll describe my time in Florence.

Florence is an interesting city in the fact that it has the statue of David...or three of them. It's funny how you go to the main area (where the David is) and its packed with tourists. Personally I wasn't that interested in the statue so I decided to take a walk around the city.



During my walk I was able to stumble on a little gem of a museum...the museum of serial killers. It was a very descriptive little museum that depicted all of the worlds most severe killers. Was it chilling? Yes. Did it open my eyes to some of the horrors of our world? Yes again. But all in all I learned more then I thought I would. Some killers I had never heard of, such as the likes of the Brooklyn Butcher, a Russian serial killer and the killer clown.



Besides the museum, I felt Florence was just a basic European city with some large tourist attractions. Nothing really stood out to me and therefore this is one of the few cities I've visited that I would consider skipping next time around. For one there wasn't much for interesting parks, the transit system is extremely expensive and its a tough city to walk.

Now onto the place where walking is only the beginning. Breathtaking views, eye popping drops and a path that's over two hundred years old. Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to Cinque Terre.



This place is in the upper north corner of Italy (the one touching France) There are a combination of five little towns jetting out into the ocean, for panoramic views that haven't been seen since the dawn of time. (well maybe not that long, buuut its good to exagerate some times)



However, by witnessing these outstanding views, it comes with a small price...or body punishment...which ever you prefer. This my friends...is the five and a half hour walk, along a tiny goat path, which at times can be straight down to the water. And the hike...ha...let me tell you about the steepness of steep. Some of these climbs had my legs saying...eh buddy...I'm gonna quit if we don't take a break. Basically it didn't help, having the peppiest of girls leading the charge. I think I was wearing triple XL clothing by the end of it.



But for the small price in pain and tiredness, it was all repaied, by the views and a little gorgeous treat. This treat, was none other then yogourt ice cream...Cinque Terre Style.

At first I wasn't going to have any, because...well face it, we've got yogourt ice cream at home, but once the one of the guys travelling with us let me taste his freshly crushed lemon yogourt ice cream...my tongue melted. I was hooked...it was the tastiest of taste, also the owner was the friendliest guy ever. He turned out to be a former captain on Carnival Cruise lines. He had some great stories and the best was how he came to be a yogourt ice cream man. (Ask me about it some time) Unfortunately, he's not much of a smiler.



That yogourt ice cream gave me some much needed pep, to finish the last leg of the journey...or so I thought. As we're waiting at the train station...body feeling like shaken jello, one of the guys in our group, notices that we've only visited four towns...not all five.

Well, I guess Cinque Terre wouldn't be complete without visiting all five, so I pick my jello form off the seat and continue the journey. Funny enough, we get lost, but a nice Canadian couple I met earlier direct us in the right direction...still, the group thinks they're heading the right way, when I insisted that it was wrong. Buuut who wins out...well we live in a democracy, so the majority does. We head further uphill, for over half and hour (when the journey was supposed to take 15 minutes...completely flat) we get to a fork in the road with a sign. The sign reads, further up the mountain take this route, no mans land the other route. I say head back, buuuuut once again majority rules and we push on. After an hour...ohhh...guess people realize this isn't right....soooo who may you ask was correct? Ahhh yes...me, myself and I. Yes, turns out, I'm not as dumb as I may look.



Still it was kinda cool seeing the descending golden crested sun against the still blue crystal water.

Now as the title reads...that was not the only part of the journey. Yes it was now off to Pisa, for some night shots of the leaning tower. Also the day wouldn't be complete unless we got lost in Pisa, before finding the tower.



Night is actually one of the best times to go, as I was able to get some perfectly clear shots, without the head of another tourist in the way. On the other hand, you can't really see anything else of the city, as it's all shut down. Plus you can't see the great parks or other Cathedrals there. Still all in all, the day was outstandingly crazy good. The most walking I've ever done in my life time, and boy was I tired when I got back home...That's a wrap.

Ooops mistake

The blog system accidently put the Venice post behind the Vienna one. Just know that Vencie was after Vienna and I was just doing catchup on the writting so for some reason they are switched...hopefully everyone doesn't have a mental lapse

Andrew

Last stop in Austria...Vienna

Completing the cycle of Austria I ventured over to the former head of Europe...Vienna. Unfortunately the day I arrive it decides to rain, therefore I wasn't able to see much of the city.

A positive to this however, was that I met up with a former traveller and he let me stay at his place...for free. Perfecto...he tells me some stories, feeds me, the next day gives me a tour of the city...man life is good.

Finally the sun comes out and it's a beautiful day. We take an excursion down to Viennas Castle.

Walk around the enormous grounds, snap some pictures...basically the norm of travelling.



My favorite part of the day was actually seeing the worlds oldest ferris wheel. This thing is massive and at night it's like a special star amist the plain ones scattered in the sky.



The city of Vienna seems absolutely massive, but after taking the metro I realized I had encircled the entire city within that day. Having a local show you around the city can be very helpful as he showed me true Austrian meals and treats. One of these treats is a type of chocolate cake which melts in your mouth. The chocolate is sooo rich and the taste is smooth like silk. I just wish I could remember what it was called...hmmm I'll figure it out sooner or later.

My last day in Vienna I spent touring the city on my own, as my gracious host had to take off. I soon realized during my trip that...oh wait a minute...isn't the U.N Headquarters in Vienna...hmmm. Well since I had only thought of this close to five o'clock...it turns out the grounds are now closed to tourists...the guards wouldn't even let me explain that I was from Canada...sooo unfortunately the only picture I was able to take were far away.



My best visiting spot of Vienna...the criminal museum...yes its gory, graphic and grotesque, but by golly, intersting as heck. This musuem is tucked away in an residential area of Vienna, so basically there was no body else but me at this mueum. It takes me close to two hours to go through the entire thing, they cover everything from early age criminals all the way up to present day. It got pretty grotesque when they started covering decapitations and they had an actual mumified head from one of the trials. It was weird how I found it repulsive, but at the same time couldn't look away.



I also learned how Austria was the first country to incorperate the present day INTERPOL. They also came up with the first form of criminal identification and tracking.

This tiny little museum was stacked full of data, more then your eyes and minds content, I really enjoyed it and will recommend it to others.

After that little excursion it was time to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Vienna sunset. Vienna is another city with rivers running through it, but the difference is all the skyscrapers linning the horizon. Again, some more beautiful pictures.

While perusing the city waiting for my train to arrive, I came across and interesting new age type building.



Turns out this crazily decocrated building is nothing more then a recycling depot. Sheesh...if more recycling places were like this, I think there would be more people recycling.




My take of the city...more of an industrialized city then that of Salzburg, but lots more fun things to do for the younger crew. Still wish I could've seen the U.N, but was able to see a crazy unique museum.

Yes I've finally arrived...VENICE

Allmost everytime I think of Venice...magically apon command, Vivaldi's four seasons starts playing in my head. Now I don't if this is some strange chemical miss balance...or maybe just a lucky musical talent.

So I took the night train from Vienna (11 hours) and arrived in Venice at 8:30...turned out to be perfect...besides the fact that I don't drink coffee or tea, therefore I didn't get the breakfast sandwhich :(...oh well guess you learn.

Finding my hostel was kind of a tricky situation, but I was able to manage. Finally I get on the bus...and boom...Venice baby. I decided that I was just going to wonder and see what I could see.



I took main streets, side streets, alleys, corners and even nooks. I walked the entire circular route around Venice and just gazed...absolutely amazed by the wonders of this magical city. A city on water. The day was stunning...sunny, no haze, no smell, just absolute majesty...I really don't know how else to explain it except...A perfect day in the city I've wanted to visit since I first opened a book around the age of 10, and there it was...gazing back at me.



As I mentioned the part about Vivaldi, luck turned to be on my side as I walked past an advertisement for a string orchestra. Just take a far out guess on what they happened to be playing...THAT NIGHT? Boy are you guys ever smart...yes...it was Vivaldi's four seasons (plus some other composers that I had no idea)

Well ladies and gentleman...I just had to buy a ticket...so I rushed in there and purchased my ticket, quite excited for that nights event. By now I'm getting a little hungry...especially since I've been walking by all this beautiful smelling food all day. (boy do those wonderful aromas get to you) I had also been thinking to myself how I wish I had someone to take some pictures of me, and basically just to talk to. Again, luck seemed to be on my side. I end up helping an Australian guy find his hotel, and we get talking about some other stuff, so I ask him how many days he's staying and what he's up to later. We talk some more and I give him the opportunity to come see the concert with me. He jumps at the idea...and just like that...I've made a new friend in Venice.

We purchase a pizza from a cheaper area (most of Venice is extremely and I mean EXTREMELY expensive) Also a little scam that these Italians are able to pull is cover charge...oh also a 12 percent addition to your bill...ya pretty cool stuff...I guess.



Onto the concert...We arrive at this enormous old style building that's covered with paintings and unique Italian art. I chat to a few of the people next to me and then the concert starts. Absolutely mesmerizing, all the movements were just as they were supposed to be and I thoroughly enjoyed everthing I heard. Definnitely worth the price and experience.



Next day is more glorious walking...constantly figuring out new nooks and crannies, back streets and unique little shops. The best part is, if you take off from the tourist flow of sheep you can be absolutely alone in all these smaller cannals. Unfortunately if you happen to wander away from the flow of traffic, you have almost no shops to chose from. I think it's because the city is so windy and twervy that you just get lost and probably never find your way back.



A cool side trip I ended up taking was a water taxi across the grande canale. We ended up onto an island on the other side of Venice which was absolutely bare...practically no tourists, just all locals. Great cheap shops, but the best part was climbing to the top of this church. We got to the top and there infront of my eyes...the Venice landscape. The sun splashing against the water, all the old style itialian houses overlooking all that water. Just think, waking up every morning overlooking the grande canale. Yes you pay for it, but living like that...almost nothing better.



Again we tasted the pizza of Venice (the thing in Italy is...Pizza in Venice, Pasta in Rome) This time the pizza was better then the first day. After the pizza...GELATO TIME...and boy oh boy...is this stuff delicious. I've heard the stories of "oh how good the gelato in Italy is" well I guess they're true...sooo many flavours that it grabs your taste buds by the scruff of the neck...shakes it around...mixes the taste buds up then place them back...ya my tongue was pulsating with a flavour explosion of goodness.



Another great tip I recieved to try in Venice was a drink called a Spritze or Spritza or something to that effect. Anyway, it was pretty tasty. It had some fruit type liquor that you can only get in Italy, water, sprite or some fizzy pop, then in plops an olive and slice of orange...ya had numerous drinks of this...some better then others.

You could just fly to Venice just to eat...there's such a wide array of goodies and tasty treats that I could've just spent all my money on food. Now aside from the food Venice is also known for its great festivals, unique masks and costumes. So walking down the many tourist packed streets I would venture into a mask store that caught my eye and peruse the selection. I really wanted a mask, but they were all so pricy...and...bland.



On my third day in Venice I took a much more relaxed approach. Walked a little, went to a few cafes, ate some more pizza, had some pastries and even watched a couple episodes of curb your enthusiasm down a little street. Pretty cool stuff.

After still not finding a mask I had basically given up hope. I didn't want to "just" buy a mask, but actually get a unique mask that I couldn't find anywhere else.



It just so happens that either my instinct made me go in this strange direction or maybe it was the luck of the Irish...anycase it turned out that I literally stumbled upon the best mask shop I had ever seen. The mask that caught my attention was a full face, black eyed, white makeup scary looking thing. Then when I entered the store it was like the halleighluya music was playing. They had Spider-man masks, Wolverine, Captain America, Daredevil, and almost all of Tim Burtons weird creatures he's ever made. Still lots were very expensive...and then I found it. An all black mask, with purple eyebrows (one was raised), red nose and an smirk that needs to be seen. Also it fit my price range, looked awesome on my face...and it was the only one like it. What a find...unfortunately for the folks at home, I didn't think to take a picture of it before I had it all packed up. Therefore, everyone will have to wait until I ship it off to see it. (boy isn't the suspense killing you)



Basically it was the perfect wrap-up for the perfect trip. Three days was enough for me to see all that I wanted to see, tast everything that needs to be tasted and buy everything that needs to be boughten. Next stops Florence, Pisa then Rome.

Sound of Music? Naaaaaw...just Salzburg

Before I headed along my journey to Austria, I made a quick layover in Munich. It´s insane how much cheaper the hostels are now that Oktoberfest is over and done with. Only cost me 17 euros to stay at the best hostel in Munich. The next day before I left to Salzburg I had a little time to kill, so I thought…hey why not go down to the Oktoberfest grounds and see what it looks like. To my jaw droped mouth and staring eyes I couldn´t believe how bare the place looked.

Only a few weeks before, this place was a swarming bee´s nest of tourists and beer drinkers. Now…it´s rainy, dull looking and just a few movers taking things down. I also found out, the beer halls…which look like actual houses. Cost one million euros to put up and take down..and I thought they stayed up all year long…sheesh.

After that gallant journey…it´s off to Salzburg.

Oh and just a side note…it wasn´t until my ride back from Copenhagen did I finally find out it´s not necissary for me to reserve seats on the train. For about four countries, I´ve been told by the train people I needed to reserve the seats…well those seats cost money…so I was a little choked to have paid all the money for the Eurail pass and still be paying extra out of my pockets…whoooie…was I ever pleased to hear I only needed to pay for a ticket if I was taking the over night train. Only down part…standing for two hours…when there´s no seats….ahhh good thing I have youthful knees.

Alrighty then…back to the topic at hand…Salzburg…the home of the magnificient Mozart, the rolling hills(no they are not a band) and the sound of music. And before you ask…no I did not go on the sound of music tour…would you like to know why? Well…I walk down to the place where they meet for this, so called…“world famous, Sound of Music tour“ and I´m greeted by dozens of decked out tourists…singing and dancing to all the different songs from the movie…uh Mom…did I see you amongst those people there?...hahaha just kidding, but seriously I pretended that I was lost…and hightailed it out of there. Geez if news got out that I was attending some Sound of music nerd convention…my goodness…I´d be ruined.

Anyways, Salzburg is another of Europe´s beautiful cities. Divided by a river, surounded by hills and lush greenery, you can just hear the music of Mozart as you gaze through the shops or walk along the river side. After my run in with the nerd squad, I made my way through the city centre. Easily one of the nicest cities I´ve walked through thus far.

The shops are all high end, but built with a very old style look. They all must have these intricate iron signs that hang from their entrance. Very classy and unique.

While strolling along the many streets, I come across a chocolate shop. I look through the windows first…read a few of the signs, then discover that this was Salzburgs first ever chocolate shop. Oh…well excuse me…I muuuuust try this. Pop in…order some chocolates and POW…I´m blown away. Some of the best chocolate I´ve ever tasted…also it sells one very unique chocolate…I think the translation is…the mozart of chocolate. Other´s have tried to copy the recipe, but I tried all those too. This one is by far the tastiest.

After my splurge on chocolate…I hike around some more…until I get to the base of this enormous hill overlooking the city. A sign reads Monestery with a beer mug beside it…ahhh I see…now this must be the hill my Aunt was talking about (quick side note: after walking around for a few hours I realised there were many hills in Salzburg, so finding the monestery one…I thought would be a challenge)

I decide to take the hike of leg numbing proportions, instead of the simple route paved for tourists. Yes the hike was beautiful, and there wasn´t a soul in sight (oh two guys were playing baseball, so stoped to watch for a little), but arriving at the beer hall, boy I was sure hoping the beer was worth it. And sure enough...it was...mmm...goldeny little droplets of beerfullness glory.

Next stop...the crystal mines.

Now I researched this baby out hard core and it looked like one of the coolest places I'd be stoping along my trip. So I took a two hour train ride to the town of Wattens...the original place for Swarovski Crystals and home to this magnificient crystal display.

You may be thinking...oh a crystal display...whopdidooo...hahaha...well little ones it's not solely crystals...it's optical illusions, crystals of gigantic proportions and tons of lights, sounds and movements.

Still the Entrance to the entire thing is my favorite part. It's a huge grass face, with crystal eyes that change colour.

I spent the entire day at the crystal worlds until, I missed my first train back to Salzburg and decided to wonder around the town of Wattens. I tried getting into the Swarovski headquarters, but the guards wouldn't let me by...even when I said I was Canadian...strange.

Returning to Salzburg I met up with a guy I had met in Munich, and we headed back to the Monestery brewhouse...just because I knew I wouldn't be having beer like this for quite a long time.

Finally...the day when I leave it's rainy...therefore it feels good to get on the train and go some place else...unlike these unlucky days when it seems bad, buuuut turns out to be a beautiful day.

All in all, Salzburg is a quiet city. Small enough that you can walk everywhere and see everything that needs to be seen, however it isn't the most eventful city. I think it would be a great place to visit and stay a long period of time when I'm...let's say...closer to retirement...and then maybe I'll take part in that little song and dance they call the sound of music.