Roma--Monday

Monday:

• I took the metro to San Giovanni Laterano (a gorgeous cathedral in the Southeast corner of Roma) and I was asked politely to leave (in italiano) because I was wearing a tube top...oops! She looked quite appalled with me but I apologized, went back to the hostel, changed, and journeyed back.
• On the way back to San Giovanni, I went to Santa Maria Maggiore.....beautiful, very unassuming cathedral that was absolutely astonishing from the inside.
• After wandering around San Giovanni, I went to the Colosseum and ate at Trattoria Luzzi...my server asked me out on a dinner date and I politely accepted.
• I headed back to the hostel to change and get ready. He took me to get a drink and then dinner across the street from the Colosseum. The Colosseum is one of the most breathtaking buildings during the day and even more so at night. The lights accent the ancient arches and make the building glow.

I had an amazing second day in Roma. I enjoyed wandering around on my own, meeting new people and getting a free meal :)

Roma Trip--Sunday

Sunday:

• Arrived to Roma and taxied to my hostel--super nice cab driver that was friendly and quite the chatty pants....made the 40 minute drive go quicker
• Relaxed, ate some food at a not so great restaurant, and saw many fashion faux paux....crop tops are NOT in....someone should inform some of these men around Roma
• Took metro with Jeff (my bunkmate) to Piazza del Popolo and walked down to the Spanish Steps....gorgeous views all around of Rome...sat on the steps and drank beer and talked for a while...Jeff is a seasoned traveler at the age of 18...this kid has seen more in two years than people will see in a lifetime...I admired his ability to carry on a conversation about any topic (politics, religion, literature, music, etc) and his intellect...great kid
• Headed back to the hostel to drink with everyone and then headed to Fiddler's Elbow (Irish pub down the street from the hostel) and then went to another bar to dance

All in all, Sunday was a great welcome into Roma. I loved the people at the hostel and the hustle and bustle of the big city. The hostel was the greatest for most people but I really enjoyed it. I think it was not what I imagined but then again, I have no basis of comparison. I loved it!

Saturday in London....

Okay, I know I'm lagging big time so in order to make up, I am going to do more of a list of cool sights and events that have happened....easier to read for you and easier for the laziness in me to type :)

On Saturday in London:

• Saint Paul's cathedral
• Millennium Bridge
• Tate Museum--they are doing a really cool exhibition of Street Art that we did not have time to see so I plan to go back when I'm in Oxford...Kristal, you'd love it!
• Borough Market--ate at Fish! Restaurant and had my very first Fish and Chips in the UK....SOOO tasty!...also, fell in love with my first Englishman...he was only 14 months but it was love I tell ya.
• Southbank...delicious beers and a deejay spinning on the "beach"....it was awesome!
• Saw the outside of Big Ben and House of Parliament

The day ended with a long journey home but I got to meet some more of my sister's friends who were warm people and great conversationalist. I really enjoyed my day with my sister and Mel...along with the bangers and mash that Stef and I had waiting for us at home made by the wonderful James (thanks James!). I cannot wait to go back to London!

Going back in time a bit....

Weird title? Of course it is but it's the truth. I have not been very regimented with my blogging but I've been taking great pictures that I am currently uploading onto shutterfly :) ...soo it's been a long wait but it will be worth it.

So....going back to last Friday, my sister and I did a fun trip through classic London sites. We went over to Buckingham Palace to see the changing of the guards. It was great...very "Disney" like. After that, we walked along the palace walls and that's when I saw Prince Charming. It was magical, to say the least! I saw him, he saw me, I took a picture ...sooo touristy of me....and then I waved, he waved back....and then we got married, had babies, and lived happily ever after :) hahaha I wish but really, he was being driven in a carriage. It was awesome.

After my run in with my future hubby with rich lines of royalty flowing through his veins, my sister and I traversed the plains of Hyde Park and visited Princess Diana's memorial. The memorial was simple, a ring of concrete with water flowing through it and a few bridges to walk into the center. Not until we walked around the memorial and really took it in, did we notice it's subtle intricacies that can get lost in its simplicity. At parts the water flowed freely and smoothly and at other times the water was turbulent and it struggled to survive the treacherous times. The statue reperested that constant ebb and flow....we all have our rough times and our smooth times and the continuous flow and flux ...name that literature period that talked about the constant flux of things and I'll give you a HUGE hug :).....overall, I would have liked to see more roses at the memorial but it was beautiful, simple, and a nice tribute to an amazing woman.

After the memorial, we headed over to do brass rubbings at the oldest church in London, All Hallows. I picked a classic brass rubbing (Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus). It was a relaxing experience and the couriers there were quite interesting. After brass rubbing and lunch, we headed to Nottinghill and I absolutely fell in love with the place. Adorable, lots of fun people, cute street vendors, and I got to spend some time with my sister's friends. James, Stephani, Paul, Juliet, and I had a few pints and some great conversations. They were a great couple with lots of energy and fun to talk to about anything and everything. Her friend Juliet even called me out on being a Virgo! Haha..it was great.

All in all, Friday was a great day! Lots of walking, site seeing, and a few pints here and there.

Cheers!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Hello from London! Well Acton to be exact....I am actually heading into London today to do some sight-seeing with my sister so technically I have not been in London. But really, that's just a technicality.



As the title suggests, I've taken trains, planes, and automobiles to get to my destination. I have had quite the whirlwind in the past couple of days. I took CalTrain up to the city on Monday and spent time visiting with Ally and welcoming her back into the states from her southeast Asia trip. It was wonderful catching up, hearing stories, and just spending some quality time with her. To be honest, it doesn't feel like she left at all. Guess that's what ridiculously awesome friendships are like :) Bethany joined us for dinner, treating us to some great Mexican food in the Castro and then I headed back to San Mateo with B. We chatted a bit, she tucked me into my fancy sofa-bed, and awoke me in the morning for a final farewell (thanks B!). I spent the rest of the morning getting ready and around 1:30 my cabbie came to pick me up. Mr. Baig (pronounced Mr. Big) chatted it up with me and the moment I told him I was in law school, he proceeded to do what most people do and asked me legal questions. Being the good law student I am, I told him politely that I could not answer the questions (although I had no clue how to answer them) and he proceeded to tell me about his friend who's an attorney, gave me her number while driving (scary!) and also made me take down his email so I could write him when I found out the answer to the legal question that I could not tell him the answer to. He's quite the funny man. Thank God for GREAT cab drivers!



After I spent time cursing while making my bags meet the weight limit (I guess I packed too much...ooops) I headed through security and over to the airport bar to grab my final Anchor Steam in the states. While enjoying that, I had a blast from the past. I saw Alex Wyrick, a kid I went to junior high school with and we chatted up while he drank a beer with his friend who had won a free trip to Vegas. Before I bid them farewell, I looked across the bar and saw Samps a guy I used to work with at Tahoe Joe's in SLO. It was crazy! I haven't seen him in years so we spent some time catching up. After purchasing some duty free booze for Alex and his friend and saying goodbye to Samps, I headed over to my gate. Thankfully the flight was quite uneventful so don't have much to say about that except two things: (1) I met a wonderful British couple with a criminal record ...pretty cool and (2) FLY VIRGIN! they hoook you up! I enjoyed my flight, food, and service. :)



As soon as I touched down, went through customs, and grabbed my bags, I was off to see my sister and her husband. She found me (thankfully because I was so overwhelmed by all the faces I couldn't make out distinct details of people) and we were on our merry little way into my first British automobile. Driving on the other side of the street is crazy! I always feel like we are going the wrong way or taking a wrong turn. Thank god I'm not driving here! We spent Wednesday relaxing, sharing a pint or two, and catching up. My sister set me up, took me to some choice bars, and James picked out some clutch curry (there's sarcasm in that statement). We spent time at most of the local pubs around where James and Stefi live and they were fun. All friendly faces, great beer, and good company.

On Thursday, my sis and I got ready and walked around Acton a bit and . We headed after to Camden which has many pubs and is home to quite the punk scene. Lots of punk kids with colored hair, skinny jeans, and this laid back air about them. I really liked it in Camden. James, Stefi and I went to \Dublin Castle where I managed to find the drunkest guy in the pub to take a picture of us (I'm very bummed I didn't get a picture with him) and then we journeyed on to another bar the Lock Tavern (where all the water levels change on the river.....soooo awesome). After a pint there and getting yelled at by the security guard because he wouldn't let us have our beer outside, we left to go home. The journey back wasn't too bad and we chatted a bit when we got home and then hit the sack.

So far it's been fantastic! I know I'm lagging on the blogs but my computer did not take to Stefi's wireless internet so I've been using her computer. I've also been quite busy....look forward to my blog tonight (London time) or tomorrow morning (Rome time) about all our fun adventures on Friday and Saturday of London's famous sites and my run in with my Prince Charming :) on Friday. All I can say is I'm having an amazing time!!!!!

"....When Hannibal of Carthage crossed the Alps.....and forcefully penetrated Italy from the rear...."

Yes...this title is legit...it was a quote I found in my Rick Steves' Italy 2008 book that my mother so graciously purchased for me earlier this evening. Along side Rick Steves, we are instantly immersing ourselves in the language of love (a.k.a. italiano). So far, we have "vino," "bano," and "amico" down pat....which roughly translates to wine, bathroom, and male friend. I'm going to do quite well there...only 7 more cds to listen to.


I can't believe that in little over a week I will be in London visiting my sister then it's off to Italy June 1st. I will be departing SFO May 27th at 4:30 pm and arriving in London the morning of May 28th at 10:30 am. I cannot wait! I really do not have much planned yet so please feel free to send me ideas for weekend trips while I'm in Oxford and any great places in Italy that you recommend. I will be visiting Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre, Bologna (where I will gain 10 pounds from all the amazing food), and finally ending my travels in Venice. As for my timeline, I will be in London from May 28-June 1 then I will be heading off to Italy until June 19th or 20th. Then my homestead will be (hopefully) a nice luxurious dorm room at Magdalen College at Oxford University (sounds fancy, eh?). The dorm rooms are luck of the draw but I'd appreciate nice thoughts and prayers so I can get a good one. Thanks. Myself and my needed space will appreciate it. Well I'm off to immerse myself in the next cd and maybe another bottle of wine.


Ciao!