We arrived in Florence in the morning and headed out to our wonderfully located hostel. We get there, and as we are checking in we find out that the hostel has a pool, a sauna, a turkish bath, and 2 bars. That works. We head up to the room, toss our stuff, create a game plan, and head out into Florence. We walk down the market street full of leather bags and wallets, jewelry, ceramics, scarves, and of course the wonderful trinkets that no one knows what to do with that say Firenze on them or have a very suggestive picture of the David.
From the market we headed down the major street to the Duomo, Florence's main basillica. We decide to skip the duomo for the day and head down to the Uffizi gallery instead. The line, though not abnormally long, was not moving. The gallery had reached capacity and people were not being let in. Frustrated, we decided to give it up and come back really early the next morning. We walked back towards the duomo and decided to go see that instead. The inside of basilica was cavernous and aside from the beautiful mosaic floors and altar, fairly sparse. I found it really odd that a building that was so incredibly detailed and ornate on the outside could be so simplistic on the inside. Its also possible that a lot of the original decoration was lost, damaged, or moved. The floor of the basilica, however, was decorated with beautiful marble in mosaic form.
After the Duomo we headed towards the Jewish quarter of the city to find the synagogue and find out about going to services the next night. On our way we stopped at the church at the Piazza SS. Annunziata. The church was absolutely incredible and contained incredible works of art and architecture. The frescoes, statues, and paintings of the semi- tucked away church were on par with works in the Louvre and Europe's other major art galleries. Everything was marble and gold, and all of the paintings and frescoes were vibrant.
After seeing the church, we continued down the street in search of the synagogue. On the way, we got distracted by a record store. An actual record store that sold some of the most incredible originals. My first stop was, of course, the Beatles and I was amazed to find original covers (and records) of Sgt. Peppers, Revolver, Yellow Submarine all worth anywhere from 25 euro to 950 euro. It was crazy.
We also wandered the streets of Florence a little bit, walking into only one random church. After sightseeing we walked over to the Jewish quarter of the city, passing an incredible, you guessed it, church a long the way. Check out facebook, the pictures are incredible.
We got to the Jewish quarter and made our way to the synagogue hoping to find out more about the Jewish community in Florence and attending services the next night (Friday). The woman told us just to show up at 8:00. As we were walking back towards the hostel we saw a sign for Chabad House and found out that they offered dinner to tourists and students on Friday nights after services. Since we actually fit both criteria, we decided that services and dinner seemed like a good plan.
After going to the synagogue we headed to the other side of the city to go to Piazzale Michaelangelo which is said to offer a stunning view of the city. After the walk across the city I turned a corner towards the park and found steep stairs leading up to the park. Slowly, we made our way up. When we got the top I walked over to the other side of the park. The view was incredible. It was just before sunset and the blazing sun lit up the entire city before us. The river burned gold, and all of the buildings stood out with their domes and towers. On the other side of the park you could see the countryside of Tuscany stretched out in a sea of neverending green. It was incredible.
The next morning we woke up super early and headed out for the Uffizi gallery. We got there as the line was just starting to form and figured that at least this way once it started moving we were sure to make our way in. Finally the doors opened and the crowd trickled in. We made it into the museum fairly quickly and immediately set out to see everything that we could. The gallery's collection is amazing. There are sculptures from multiple time periods. They mostly depict mythology and religion. The art collection is the most impressive I have ever seen when it comes to Renaissance masters (in much the same way that the Musee d'Orsay is the most impressive impressionist collection). There were a vast number of paintings by Boticelli (including the Birth of Venus), Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, and many others some of whom I had at least heard of and others that were a complete surprise to me.
Suffering from sensory overload we decided to return to the hostel to rest a little bit. I decided to take advantage of the hostel's pool which was a great idea. The water was freezing which was a welcome change from the heat outside. Florence in summer is very similar to San Antonio in terms of heat and humidity.
After a swim and shower, with time left over before services, I headed back out to the market about a ten minute walk from our hostel. My stroll through the market included a quick stop at a little bakery almost hidden by the market booths. I picked up a citrus tart and enjoyed the quick snack as I headed back over to the hostel.
We changed for services and then headed out to the synagogue. The synagogue in Florence is incredible. It is done in a moorish style meaning stunning geometrical figures and designs. As expected services were Orthodox meaning women sat off to the side behind a mechitza, which in this case was more of a gate than a curtain. Services were short and followed by dinner at Chabad. There were so many people at the dinner, including a good number of students. One of the Chabad rabbis that was there had met a majority of the students in Venice just a few days before.
The dinner lasted over two hours, which is not a rare occurance with Chabad. After Chabad dinner Nathan and I headed out with two of the students we had met at dinner, Alexandra and Daniel. The two were from Germany and were taking the chance to explore Florence after working in a Jewish summer camp all summer. We had a really good time dancing at some random bar, wandering Florence, and getting caught in the rain.
Next up: Rome
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Venezia AKA Venice: Jordan
We didn't actually stay in Venice. We got off of the train in Mestre, a mainland suburb of Venice and stayed there, which is a much cheaper option than actually trying to stay on the island. We went to the hotel, dropped off our stuff, and went to the train station to catch the next regional train to Venezia Santa Lucia. We decided that it would be great to walk Venice so we ignored the boat metro system (a whopping 6.50 euro for a one way trip.
We wandered the crazy winding seneless Venetian streets using the signs posted on street corners as markers since a map would have proved useless. We finally made it to the Piazza San Marco, Venice's only offical Piazza and home to its major basillica and Piazzale Ducale or Doge's Palace. The line for the Basilica looked painful so we decided to make an early morning of it the next day. We headed over to the Doge's Palace. You're sadly not allowed to take pictures, but the palace was incredible. The decoration of each room is so detailed and amazing it belongs in a museum. One of the rooms is so big it actually feels like an effort to walk from one end to the other. All of the walls of the Government rooms are decorated with scenes of Venetian history, or religious tales that depict the morals of the governing body that uses that room, or portraits of the members.
After Doge's Palace we tried to find our way back the Rialto, Venice's most recognizable bridge. We ended up getting lost and found ourselves at a little church off of a main road. We went inside and found out that it was one of the oldest in Venice. We went in and explored the elaborate and beautifully decorated little church. We even got the chance to do down into the crypt which thanks to venice and canals, is slightly under water.
After leaving the church we continued to make our way around Venice, stopping in a couple of other churches along the way. We took an 8:30 train out from Santa Lucia back to Mestre to enjoy the relative quiet of our suburban hotel.
The next morning we woke up early hoping to be the huge crowds headed for the basilica. We made it there before the basilica even opened and the line was still across the piazza. I went to go check our bags in and was told that we could skip the line with the baggage ticket. It sounded like a good deal so I left the bags and we skipped to the front of the line. The basilica in Venice is absolutely incredible! The mosaic work on the ceiling is stunning and makes you wonder just how much time and effort went into this building.
After that we headed back into the city to do some shopping. While we were walking we found this tiny little store called Pop Corner that sold some of the coolest collectors items. The Beatles stuff was awesome, but their whole collection was impressive. After our little shopping spree we headed over to the Jewish ghetto to try to see the synagogues.
It turns out that you can't get into the synagogues without paying, but we did get to spend some time talking to members of the Chabad House there in Venice. One of the students at the small Yeshiva told us a little about the history of the ghetto. It turns out that ghetto is actually a Venetian word meaning foundry which has something to do with metal or factories or both (I can't quite remember). Anyway, the Jews were moved into this area that used to be a foundry and thus term ghetto came into use.
After getting lost a few more times we made our way back to the train station and headed back to Mestre.
Venice is a strange city in that the minute you walk out of the train station you feel like you have stepped back a few centuries. There are boats, but other than that no other mode of transportation exists in Venice aside from walking. It makes the streets really quiet and makes you feel like the 21st century doesn't really exist anymore. That only thing that can bring you back to reality are the hordes and masses of toursits everywhere on the island.
Venice is also designed in a very peculiar way. The streets wind and twist with no real sense of purpose and the number system is useless for helping you find places. On one stree you can go from 1400's to 3000's to 2600's. There doesn't seem to be any real continuity. This made getting around Venice almost maddening, but it also added to the cities mystery and charm.
Next up: Firenze AKA Florence
We wandered the crazy winding seneless Venetian streets using the signs posted on street corners as markers since a map would have proved useless. We finally made it to the Piazza San Marco, Venice's only offical Piazza and home to its major basillica and Piazzale Ducale or Doge's Palace. The line for the Basilica looked painful so we decided to make an early morning of it the next day. We headed over to the Doge's Palace. You're sadly not allowed to take pictures, but the palace was incredible. The decoration of each room is so detailed and amazing it belongs in a museum. One of the rooms is so big it actually feels like an effort to walk from one end to the other. All of the walls of the Government rooms are decorated with scenes of Venetian history, or religious tales that depict the morals of the governing body that uses that room, or portraits of the members.
After Doge's Palace we tried to find our way back the Rialto, Venice's most recognizable bridge. We ended up getting lost and found ourselves at a little church off of a main road. We went inside and found out that it was one of the oldest in Venice. We went in and explored the elaborate and beautifully decorated little church. We even got the chance to do down into the crypt which thanks to venice and canals, is slightly under water.
After leaving the church we continued to make our way around Venice, stopping in a couple of other churches along the way. We took an 8:30 train out from Santa Lucia back to Mestre to enjoy the relative quiet of our suburban hotel.
The next morning we woke up early hoping to be the huge crowds headed for the basilica. We made it there before the basilica even opened and the line was still across the piazza. I went to go check our bags in and was told that we could skip the line with the baggage ticket. It sounded like a good deal so I left the bags and we skipped to the front of the line. The basilica in Venice is absolutely incredible! The mosaic work on the ceiling is stunning and makes you wonder just how much time and effort went into this building.
After that we headed back into the city to do some shopping. While we were walking we found this tiny little store called Pop Corner that sold some of the coolest collectors items. The Beatles stuff was awesome, but their whole collection was impressive. After our little shopping spree we headed over to the Jewish ghetto to try to see the synagogues.
It turns out that you can't get into the synagogues without paying, but we did get to spend some time talking to members of the Chabad House there in Venice. One of the students at the small Yeshiva told us a little about the history of the ghetto. It turns out that ghetto is actually a Venetian word meaning foundry which has something to do with metal or factories or both (I can't quite remember). Anyway, the Jews were moved into this area that used to be a foundry and thus term ghetto came into use.
After getting lost a few more times we made our way back to the train station and headed back to Mestre.
Venice is a strange city in that the minute you walk out of the train station you feel like you have stepped back a few centuries. There are boats, but other than that no other mode of transportation exists in Venice aside from walking. It makes the streets really quiet and makes you feel like the 21st century doesn't really exist anymore. That only thing that can bring you back to reality are the hordes and masses of toursits everywhere on the island.
Venice is also designed in a very peculiar way. The streets wind and twist with no real sense of purpose and the number system is useless for helping you find places. On one stree you can go from 1400's to 3000's to 2600's. There doesn't seem to be any real continuity. This made getting around Venice almost maddening, but it also added to the cities mystery and charm.
Next up: Firenze AKA Florence
Monday, July 20, 2009
(Not) A final note: Nathan
So, I have 9 minutes on the internet and 4 hours left in Rome as I type. What a trip it has been, technically 8 countries in 5 weeks, thousands of miles by plane, train, and automobile (and bus and foot).
I've met some amazing people, made friends, hopefully no enemies. Some I got contact for, the ones I didn't, I do regret it. I feel like I've seen so much but haven't been gone very long. It's all been a blur to be perfectly honest.
I know everyone is waiting eagerly to see and hear about most, if not all, of Italy. That'll have to wait until at the very least Heathrow where there might be some free wi-fi. My laptop has been horrible at uploading pics as well, so I'm getting behind, but the best is yet to come.
For a quickie, our last day we pretty much carpet bombed Vatican City with our cameras. They're surprisingly lax for all the priceless works of art that they had. Even where there were no pictures allowed at all, people were still taking them. I managed a blurry shot of Pope JP2's grave before being told to put my camera away, and everyone was taking pictures of the Sistine Chapel.
Only fitting, since there's a Hotel California down the street from the internet café, I'm checking out, but I don't think I can ever leave, and I know Jordan would say the same thing.
Until more detailed updates...
I've met some amazing people, made friends, hopefully no enemies. Some I got contact for, the ones I didn't, I do regret it. I feel like I've seen so much but haven't been gone very long. It's all been a blur to be perfectly honest.
I know everyone is waiting eagerly to see and hear about most, if not all, of Italy. That'll have to wait until at the very least Heathrow where there might be some free wi-fi. My laptop has been horrible at uploading pics as well, so I'm getting behind, but the best is yet to come.
For a quickie, our last day we pretty much carpet bombed Vatican City with our cameras. They're surprisingly lax for all the priceless works of art that they had. Even where there were no pictures allowed at all, people were still taking them. I managed a blurry shot of Pope JP2's grave before being told to put my camera away, and everyone was taking pictures of the Sistine Chapel.
Only fitting, since there's a Hotel California down the street from the internet café, I'm checking out, but I don't think I can ever leave, and I know Jordan would say the same thing.
Until more detailed updates...
Friday, July 17, 2009
Madrid Training Day: Nathan
So, I know not many people want to read about this one, but I figure I should write it for posterity. I spent a day in Madrid looking at trains, both full size and models.
I started the day at the Museo de Ferrocarriles in Madrid because they open and close early. The museum was well put together but kind of small. They had lots of interesting examples of locomotives powered by steam, diesel-electric, and electric technology. Some of the models were interesting, especially the American produced ones.
After the museum, I scouted out some hobby stores and went train hunting. I ended up with a RENFE diesel and a Von-Damm beer flat with trailer.
A successful day.
I started the day at the Museo de Ferrocarriles in Madrid because they open and close early. The museum was well put together but kind of small. They had lots of interesting examples of locomotives powered by steam, diesel-electric, and electric technology. Some of the models were interesting, especially the American produced ones.
After the museum, I scouted out some hobby stores and went train hunting. I ended up with a RENFE diesel and a Von-Damm beer flat with trailer.
A successful day.
Milan: Jordan
Not so much Milan as a stopover in Milan. A crazy stop over.
I get to the train station in Nice to find that the train strike is over. I hop on the train to Ventimiglia, change in Ventimiglia and arrive in Milan around 1:30pm. I hop on the metro and head over to where the hotel/hostel is supposed to be. It was quite a trek. I took the metro four stops, the bust about 10 stops and then walked about 15 min. to get to the hostel/hotel. When I get there the guy at reception says he can't find my reservation. Crap. It turns out that they had canceled our reservation since we had not showed up the first night. I tried to explain that I had been stuck in France, but there was nothing he could do.
Hot and frustrated I sit down to try to find a place to stay for the night. The guy looks at me and says that he can call a friend who owns another hotel and see if there is a room there for the same price we were planning on paying. There was, but the hotel was back on the opposite side of town from where I was now. I was so stressed and frustrated. The guy looked at me and asked if I wanted a drink. He told me I needed one. I explained to him that if I had anything to drink other than water I might pass out. He shrugged and handed me a nice cold bottle of water.
I get back on the tram going the other direction, then catch the bus to the area around the new hotel. I finally make it there and check in, thrilled to have a place to put down my stuff after 2 hrs of trying to get around.
Nathan finally makes it over to the new hotel and we head out for some retail therapy and food.
So, no I din't really get to see Milan.
Next up: Venezia (Venice)
I get to the train station in Nice to find that the train strike is over. I hop on the train to Ventimiglia, change in Ventimiglia and arrive in Milan around 1:30pm. I hop on the metro and head over to where the hotel/hostel is supposed to be. It was quite a trek. I took the metro four stops, the bust about 10 stops and then walked about 15 min. to get to the hostel/hotel. When I get there the guy at reception says he can't find my reservation. Crap. It turns out that they had canceled our reservation since we had not showed up the first night. I tried to explain that I had been stuck in France, but there was nothing he could do.
Hot and frustrated I sit down to try to find a place to stay for the night. The guy looks at me and says that he can call a friend who owns another hotel and see if there is a room there for the same price we were planning on paying. There was, but the hotel was back on the opposite side of town from where I was now. I was so stressed and frustrated. The guy looked at me and asked if I wanted a drink. He told me I needed one. I explained to him that if I had anything to drink other than water I might pass out. He shrugged and handed me a nice cold bottle of water.
I get back on the tram going the other direction, then catch the bus to the area around the new hotel. I finally make it there and check in, thrilled to have a place to put down my stuff after 2 hrs of trying to get around.
Nathan finally makes it over to the new hotel and we head out for some retail therapy and food.
So, no I din't really get to see Milan.
Next up: Venezia (Venice)
Nice: Jordan
I get to Nice, exhausted from traveling and in need of a place to put down my bag. I go to the tourist office and ask where there is a hostel becuase I had no where to stay for that night. I walk to the recommended hostel about 30 min. away to find that it is a members only HI hostel where rooms cost 22 euro and the membership is 15. No way. I leave, wishing that my backpack would just disappear and continue the hunt for a place to stay. I end up booking one night at a place that I should never have even walked in to by myself. The place was dark and smelled bad, but I was so exhausted I didn't even notice. I walk outside and realize that on top of the sketchy room I am now staying right next door to a sex shop. Not happening.
So I end up with a sketchy room, in a city I have never been to, by myself, with no internet. I called home hoping that they could find at least the name and address of a place in Nice. They find one and I go over there and they're full. Great. As I walk away I notice that there is another hostel on the fourth floor of the same building for 17 euro that has vacancy. I book the room which is not great, but is safe and head back to the other place to get my stuff figuring that 20 euro was not a big loss in this situation. I grab my bags and tell the owner that I have to leave. I tell him I've had a change of plans and that I have to meet someone and what does he do... he snaps at me. He demands to know if I don't like the room and why I'm not staying, he says he won't give me my money back (which I agreed to, anything to get out of there) and he continues to pelt me with useless questions that I have no obligation to answer. Feeling like I made the right decision, I bolted.
I settled in to the other place and decided to actually go see Nice, regardless of the horrible first impression. As I was walking down the stairs I ran into another girl traveling on her own. The two of us have no real plans, so we decide to go and grab a bite to eat together. We ended up at this great Tapas place where we ordered a two person sampler plate (about 7-8 different tapas) for 12 euro between the two of us. After dinner we decide that a club would be a lot of fun. We get dressed up and head out, each grateful that we don't have to be alone in Nice at night.
Nice and southern France in general are great if you are not a woman alone or even two women alone. The men can be very perverted and sketchy.
We head out to High Club, Nice's biggest dance club. We had a great time. The music was incredible. House music spun live including a nice little Michael Jackson tribute. At some point in the night the club introduces its new DJ a woman who at some point ended up DJing in nothing but stars and a pair of shorts (if I have to explain that then just don't worry about it).
Around 4 am we head out to go walk on the beach, running into some guys we had seen in the club earlier. It turns out they were from Finland. We walked on the beach with them and then headed back to crash.
The next morning Rosie and I met at the fountain in the old city and headed down to the beach. Although the beach was made of rocks and stones and not sand it was still amazing. The water is the bluest thing I have ever seen. It was incredible. All different shades of blue. We lazed about on the beach and then split up (sort of on accident) to get some stuff done.
The next morning I woke up early to catch my 7:46 am train to Milan to find out that its not coming. There was a train strike in Italy. I was stuck in Nice, again with no place to stay, and frustrated that they chose to strike today. I immediately head out towards a hostel that I knew about to see if they had room. They did and on top of that, they put me in Rosie's room. I spent the day in the park at the top of this really big hill writing, reading, and enjoying the view. I went back to the hostel and there was Rosie. We made a makeshift dinner using only a microwave since there was no stove. After dinner we wandered around Nice trying to find candy (or lollies as she kept correcting me).
I now know why women in France are so thin. 1. it is impossible to find junk food after 9:00 pm when the supermarkets close and 2. the stuff you find after 9:00pm is expensive. We bought just a few goodies to try and then decided that cheap gelato was the better way to go. We went and sat on the beach eating ice cream and listening to the most incredible street performer play violin. As we were eating on of the Finnish guys we had met the night before texted us to see if we wanted to meet up on the beach for drinks (yes, you can actually drink on the beach in France, public beaches).
We met up with them and chatted and had a few drinks before heading off to bed. I was hoping that I would get up early tomorrow and the strike would be over so that I could make it to Milan.
Next up: Milan?
So I end up with a sketchy room, in a city I have never been to, by myself, with no internet. I called home hoping that they could find at least the name and address of a place in Nice. They find one and I go over there and they're full. Great. As I walk away I notice that there is another hostel on the fourth floor of the same building for 17 euro that has vacancy. I book the room which is not great, but is safe and head back to the other place to get my stuff figuring that 20 euro was not a big loss in this situation. I grab my bags and tell the owner that I have to leave. I tell him I've had a change of plans and that I have to meet someone and what does he do... he snaps at me. He demands to know if I don't like the room and why I'm not staying, he says he won't give me my money back (which I agreed to, anything to get out of there) and he continues to pelt me with useless questions that I have no obligation to answer. Feeling like I made the right decision, I bolted.
I settled in to the other place and decided to actually go see Nice, regardless of the horrible first impression. As I was walking down the stairs I ran into another girl traveling on her own. The two of us have no real plans, so we decide to go and grab a bite to eat together. We ended up at this great Tapas place where we ordered a two person sampler plate (about 7-8 different tapas) for 12 euro between the two of us. After dinner we decide that a club would be a lot of fun. We get dressed up and head out, each grateful that we don't have to be alone in Nice at night.
Nice and southern France in general are great if you are not a woman alone or even two women alone. The men can be very perverted and sketchy.
We head out to High Club, Nice's biggest dance club. We had a great time. The music was incredible. House music spun live including a nice little Michael Jackson tribute. At some point in the night the club introduces its new DJ a woman who at some point ended up DJing in nothing but stars and a pair of shorts (if I have to explain that then just don't worry about it).
Around 4 am we head out to go walk on the beach, running into some guys we had seen in the club earlier. It turns out they were from Finland. We walked on the beach with them and then headed back to crash.
The next morning Rosie and I met at the fountain in the old city and headed down to the beach. Although the beach was made of rocks and stones and not sand it was still amazing. The water is the bluest thing I have ever seen. It was incredible. All different shades of blue. We lazed about on the beach and then split up (sort of on accident) to get some stuff done.
The next morning I woke up early to catch my 7:46 am train to Milan to find out that its not coming. There was a train strike in Italy. I was stuck in Nice, again with no place to stay, and frustrated that they chose to strike today. I immediately head out towards a hostel that I knew about to see if they had room. They did and on top of that, they put me in Rosie's room. I spent the day in the park at the top of this really big hill writing, reading, and enjoying the view. I went back to the hostel and there was Rosie. We made a makeshift dinner using only a microwave since there was no stove. After dinner we wandered around Nice trying to find candy (or lollies as she kept correcting me).
I now know why women in France are so thin. 1. it is impossible to find junk food after 9:00 pm when the supermarkets close and 2. the stuff you find after 9:00pm is expensive. We bought just a few goodies to try and then decided that cheap gelato was the better way to go. We went and sat on the beach eating ice cream and listening to the most incredible street performer play violin. As we were eating on of the Finnish guys we had met the night before texted us to see if we wanted to meet up on the beach for drinks (yes, you can actually drink on the beach in France, public beaches).
We met up with them and chatted and had a few drinks before heading off to bed. I was hoping that I would get up early tomorrow and the strike would be over so that I could make it to Milan.
Next up: Milan?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Barcelona, Montpellier, Marsailles...: Jordan
As seems to be the case in July in Europe, I had some train issues trying to get from Madrid to Nice. All of the trains were full. I decided just to wing it on hop on a train to Barcelona, thinking it may be easier to get to France from there. I arrive in Barcelona, and immediately go to the ticket counter where I stood in line forever (or at least it seemed that way with the backpack). I reserved a ticket that said: Barceona to Montpellier arrives at 21:09. Well, what else was I going to do. I hopped on the six hour train to Montpellier thinking I would sleep or read the whole time, I wish.
On the train I sat across from two Brazilian guys who were on winter break (i was amused). We sat there watching as the two Norwegians and the French guy sitting next to us started going through beer like it was water. The more they drank the louder they got, naturally, and the next thing you know we were part of the conversation. After a while a few other people in the coach came up to join us figuring if they couldn't get us to shut up, they might as well enjoy the noise. One of the guys, Ashwin, had the name of a hostel in Montpellier which was great since I had nowhere to stay.
We got in to Montpellier and headed out to find the hostel. We found out that it was really far away and the tram going in that direction was down because of street work. We headed over to the nearest hotel hoping for a vacancy and a decently priced room. We walked up to one and looked at the price list when a voice behind us said, they're empty. We turned around and introduced ourselves to the girls who turned out to be in the same predicament. One of the girls was from Lithuania and the other from Germany who luckily spoke French. The four of us walked around hoping to find a hotel that would give us a decent deal for one night. We walked into a hotel about 5 min. walk from the train station and the German girl began negotiating with the hotel owner in French (its much easier to get things in France if you can speak French). Just as we were about to make a deal, two Finnish girls walk in (no, this is not the start of some really bad joke), looking for a safe place to hang for the night before their train in the morning. Sounds familiar. The hotel owner looks at the six of us and decides to give us two three person rooms for the price of two doubles meaning that each of us would pay 15 euro for a safe place to sleep for the night. Perfect.
After dropping off our bags and showering we headed out to find some cheap eats and maybe a drink (or two). We found some 3 euro sandwiches (a lifesaver all over Europe) and chatted as we ate. Then, we headed over to a bar that looked pretty popular. We ordered a round of Mojitos for a bargain of 6 euro (don't buy drinks in bars in Europe) and decided not to do that again. Instead we ordered a special of 2.5 L of beer which was served in its own tap that they brought to the table. Nifty huh?
We went back to the room and attempted a round of card games which didn't work because the rules for BS are apparently different in different parts of the world. I was so tired that I still don't understand what on Earth I was supposed to be doing.
The next morning I woke up, packed, and headed out for the train station hoping that the next train to Nice would not be full. I get to the ticket counter and ask the man if he speaks English. No. Fine, I switch to Spanish (which was such a lifesaver) and manage to book a ticket that leaves from Montpellier to Marseilles and then Marseilles to Nice. Fun stuff. I finally arrived in Nice around 2:00.
Next up: Nice
On the train I sat across from two Brazilian guys who were on winter break (i was amused). We sat there watching as the two Norwegians and the French guy sitting next to us started going through beer like it was water. The more they drank the louder they got, naturally, and the next thing you know we were part of the conversation. After a while a few other people in the coach came up to join us figuring if they couldn't get us to shut up, they might as well enjoy the noise. One of the guys, Ashwin, had the name of a hostel in Montpellier which was great since I had nowhere to stay.
We got in to Montpellier and headed out to find the hostel. We found out that it was really far away and the tram going in that direction was down because of street work. We headed over to the nearest hotel hoping for a vacancy and a decently priced room. We walked up to one and looked at the price list when a voice behind us said, they're empty. We turned around and introduced ourselves to the girls who turned out to be in the same predicament. One of the girls was from Lithuania and the other from Germany who luckily spoke French. The four of us walked around hoping to find a hotel that would give us a decent deal for one night. We walked into a hotel about 5 min. walk from the train station and the German girl began negotiating with the hotel owner in French (its much easier to get things in France if you can speak French). Just as we were about to make a deal, two Finnish girls walk in (no, this is not the start of some really bad joke), looking for a safe place to hang for the night before their train in the morning. Sounds familiar. The hotel owner looks at the six of us and decides to give us two three person rooms for the price of two doubles meaning that each of us would pay 15 euro for a safe place to sleep for the night. Perfect.
After dropping off our bags and showering we headed out to find some cheap eats and maybe a drink (or two). We found some 3 euro sandwiches (a lifesaver all over Europe) and chatted as we ate. Then, we headed over to a bar that looked pretty popular. We ordered a round of Mojitos for a bargain of 6 euro (don't buy drinks in bars in Europe) and decided not to do that again. Instead we ordered a special of 2.5 L of beer which was served in its own tap that they brought to the table. Nifty huh?
We went back to the room and attempted a round of card games which didn't work because the rules for BS are apparently different in different parts of the world. I was so tired that I still don't understand what on Earth I was supposed to be doing.
The next morning I woke up, packed, and headed out for the train station hoping that the next train to Nice would not be full. I get to the ticket counter and ask the man if he speaks English. No. Fine, I switch to Spanish (which was such a lifesaver) and manage to book a ticket that leaves from Montpellier to Marseilles and then Marseilles to Nice. Fun stuff. I finally arrived in Nice around 2:00.
Next up: Nice
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