This entry finds me at Palmers Lodge hostel in London, where I stayed at the beginning of my trip. Coincidentally, I am in the same room and the same bed (no kidding!). Tomorrow morning, I will wake early and make my way to the airport to head home from this great adventure. And as anxious as I am to see all of you, I find that I am more than a little bit melancholy tonight. But before I attempt to delve into that, a recap of the last little bit....
PARIS: Internet access was very expensive and I couldn't access my blog, which was a bit of a bummer, but the city was AMAZING. I found myself staying at a hostel which made me feel as though I was in Compton (coz, you know, Ive spent time there...)...it was more than a bit dodgy, but I met a lovely Mexican girl named Eva and we spent 3 days together exploring the city. 5 days was too much in Rome and 3 was too little in Paris, as it turns out, but I got to see much of what I wanted to, including the Opera House, Versailles, Montmartre, and of course, the Eiffel tower. Eva and I spent Sunday night in the park at the foot of the tower drinking wine, talking, watching fire-artists, and dancing to drummers. Completely and utterly incredible, and one of the highlights of the trip. Dancing at the foot of the brilliantly lit Eiffel tower on a warm night in July has to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I felt so free from any kind of worry - it was like flying! Much like the night I spent in the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, words really do elude me....
Today I took the cheapest route possible to London, which involves a bus to Calais, then the ferry across the English Channel, and the bus to London....it was a NINE HOUR experience, but it was so lovely to be on the water - even though it was coooooooooold. London weather has done a complete 180 since I was here in June. It feels like a Canadian October here tonight.....
I wandered down to Piccadilly Circus as I was supposed to meet Eva (she arrived in London today after taking the Eurostar), but I found that I was 40 minutes late and missed her. I sat at the base of the statue of Eros for about a half hour and watched people go by...among them an astonishing number of police officers (makes me feel very safe!), and my melancholy grew and grew. In a way, the sadness makes me very pleased, as I have made so many new and fantastic memories, especially of London and Paris. London feels very much like home to me, and I hope that one day the opportunity to have more time here presents itself as I would jump at it....
Perhaps I am rambling, I dont know. Its almost 11pm here and I should shower and go to bed as I have another long travel day (home!) ahead of me. But I dont want today to end....suddenly I feel as though the adventure is just beginning. 5 weeks seems to have whizzed right by......
Now I really am rambling, and the queue for this computer is getting longer...so I shall bid you all a fond buona notte, bon nuit, goodnight....and see you all very very soon!
Thanks for reading.....
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Some News....
Just to keep everyone up to date:
It appears that as of July 1, London hostels are almost completely booked and DOUBLE IN PRICE (thank you, high season!). 8 days was going to cost me upwards of 250 Pounds (over 500 Canadian dollars) just for lodging, and as Ive seen London (though I love it!),I've decided to move my flight home up by a week, which means I will be arriving in Canada (Hamilton airport) on Thursday July 5. I do still plan to stay away from work (and possibly Toronto) until the 13th, so it will still be vacation, but just not in Europe. Although I feel a wee bit sad about this, considering the work situation with Lingue Senza Frontiere and the fact that I do need to think about tuition for the upcoming year, I believe it is the right decision for me.
BUT: I still have 4 days in PARIS ahead of me, which I am INCREDIBLY, COMPLETELY excited about. My flight leaves Rome at 830 tomorrow night and I will be there until wednesday evening, when I head to London Stanstead. I hope Paris, like Pompei, will live up to my expectations. Perhaps I will come back a musical superstar like Feist, or a brooding, beret-wearing poet. Or maybe just as me, coz I've been thinking:
Seeing these incredible sights and being in these world famous cities doesnt change people ( I dont think its changed me, at any rate). My day to day life will be much the same when I return, I suspect. Maybe it's about the stress and the anxiety and the actual TRAVELLING, or, as some new age thinkers would say, the journey. I guess time will tell....
See you all soon. Sooner than you thought!
K.
It appears that as of July 1, London hostels are almost completely booked and DOUBLE IN PRICE (thank you, high season!). 8 days was going to cost me upwards of 250 Pounds (over 500 Canadian dollars) just for lodging, and as Ive seen London (though I love it!),I've decided to move my flight home up by a week, which means I will be arriving in Canada (Hamilton airport) on Thursday July 5. I do still plan to stay away from work (and possibly Toronto) until the 13th, so it will still be vacation, but just not in Europe. Although I feel a wee bit sad about this, considering the work situation with Lingue Senza Frontiere and the fact that I do need to think about tuition for the upcoming year, I believe it is the right decision for me.
BUT: I still have 4 days in PARIS ahead of me, which I am INCREDIBLY, COMPLETELY excited about. My flight leaves Rome at 830 tomorrow night and I will be there until wednesday evening, when I head to London Stanstead. I hope Paris, like Pompei, will live up to my expectations. Perhaps I will come back a musical superstar like Feist, or a brooding, beret-wearing poet. Or maybe just as me, coz I've been thinking:
Seeing these incredible sights and being in these world famous cities doesnt change people ( I dont think its changed me, at any rate). My day to day life will be much the same when I return, I suspect. Maybe it's about the stress and the anxiety and the actual TRAVELLING, or, as some new age thinkers would say, the journey. I guess time will tell....
See you all soon. Sooner than you thought!
K.
Pompei...
Was completely incredible!!!
I took a day trip there on Thursday and in no way was I prepared for the magnitude of the site - especially after the somewhat disappointing sights of Rome. I was amazed by just how preserved everything is - although there are no body indentations (which I was sort of hoping for, as morbid as that may sound), the body casts were incredible and vivid, and the fact that frescoes and tiling still remain is incredible. The site was also littered with stray dogs, who were very sweet and gave me a bit of a fix until I can see Calvin again (so sooon!)...
Today I visited the Pantheon and Piazza Navoni. The Pantheon dome is incredible (the largest dome in antiquity, thank you ACS 200!), and Piazza Navoni lovely, although (and this SUCKS!) the Fountain of the 4 Seasons is under repair and so all scaffolded and water-less. Bummer.
Tomorrow is mylast day in Rome (whoopie!) and I plan to see the thingy from Roman Holiday and the Jesus Steps. Wow, I sure am eloquent at midnight aftera day in the Roman sun!
I took a day trip there on Thursday and in no way was I prepared for the magnitude of the site - especially after the somewhat disappointing sights of Rome. I was amazed by just how preserved everything is - although there are no body indentations (which I was sort of hoping for, as morbid as that may sound), the body casts were incredible and vivid, and the fact that frescoes and tiling still remain is incredible. The site was also littered with stray dogs, who were very sweet and gave me a bit of a fix until I can see Calvin again (so sooon!)...
Today I visited the Pantheon and Piazza Navoni. The Pantheon dome is incredible (the largest dome in antiquity, thank you ACS 200!), and Piazza Navoni lovely, although (and this SUCKS!) the Fountain of the 4 Seasons is under repair and so all scaffolded and water-less. Bummer.
Tomorrow is mylast day in Rome (whoopie!) and I plan to see the thingy from Roman Holiday and the Jesus Steps. Wow, I sure am eloquent at midnight aftera day in the Roman sun!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Rome....
Day number 3.
Lots to write.
I arrived Monday and was bombarded with the insane heat. Yuck! I ventured out and my first stop was the Colosseum, which looks just as it does in pictures. Exactly the same. I felt s though it was something Ive seen many many times. The one thing that surprised me was how CLOSE it was to the subway and how integrated it is with the city. You literally exit the subway station and - BOOM - there it is. I didnt pay to go in, but instead roamed (HA! I roamed in Rome!) about the nearby ruins......That evening, I met a Japanese girl who had ben studyig English in London and who was on a mini break, and she introduced me to her Italian friends and we all had gelato. A nice end to the day...
Tuesday was reserved for the Vatican Museums and the basilica, which were big. The museums were so very packed that I just about wanted to leave, but I felt like I "should" see the Sistene chapel. Which I did. It too, is big. And again, I wasn't really moved. I started to really identify with Walter Benjamin's idea of the "aura" of a piece of art (or building, or place) being depleted by film and photography. Or perhaps I was just feeling jaded.....St. Peter's Basilica and the Cupolo (dome at the top) were amazing. To think that people can build so much. By hand. I think its fairly safe to say that a building of this kind would not be buildable (is that a word???) today. Too much work for we who love quick pouring concrete etc. Last night I went to see a film (Fantastic 4...so very very bad. But what was I expecting?) and had my first "wow" moment in Rome. Exiting the theatre, I walked into Piazza del Popolo, which has an Egyptian abelisk and small fountain at the centre. It was just about dark,the moon was shining very brightly, and the first star had just appeared. The piazza was littered with people, and a busker began to play his saxophone. His music echoed through the square, and it was magic. Complete magic. My photos will not do justice, nor will my words, I'm afraid. You'll all hav to come to Rome for yourselves (just not for 6 days. Too long!)....
It is 3pm here now and I have just returned to the hostel to get some info about Pompeii (!!!!!!) day trips and to try and get this pesky water out of my ear before I fly (to PARIS!) on Saturday night. I've spent today wandering by the Tiber River and visiting the Circus Maximus (which is little more than a field and a waste of time! Argh!). I did spend a little time on the Spanish Steps and in the church above them, where there was a Latin and French service happening that was lovely......
Off again. Love to you all - I'll try to get more pics up soon!
Lots to write.
I arrived Monday and was bombarded with the insane heat. Yuck! I ventured out and my first stop was the Colosseum, which looks just as it does in pictures. Exactly the same. I felt s though it was something Ive seen many many times. The one thing that surprised me was how CLOSE it was to the subway and how integrated it is with the city. You literally exit the subway station and - BOOM - there it is. I didnt pay to go in, but instead roamed (HA! I roamed in Rome!) about the nearby ruins......That evening, I met a Japanese girl who had ben studyig English in London and who was on a mini break, and she introduced me to her Italian friends and we all had gelato. A nice end to the day...
Tuesday was reserved for the Vatican Museums and the basilica, which were big. The museums were so very packed that I just about wanted to leave, but I felt like I "should" see the Sistene chapel. Which I did. It too, is big. And again, I wasn't really moved. I started to really identify with Walter Benjamin's idea of the "aura" of a piece of art (or building, or place) being depleted by film and photography. Or perhaps I was just feeling jaded.....St. Peter's Basilica and the Cupolo (dome at the top) were amazing. To think that people can build so much. By hand. I think its fairly safe to say that a building of this kind would not be buildable (is that a word???) today. Too much work for we who love quick pouring concrete etc. Last night I went to see a film (Fantastic 4...so very very bad. But what was I expecting?) and had my first "wow" moment in Rome. Exiting the theatre, I walked into Piazza del Popolo, which has an Egyptian abelisk and small fountain at the centre. It was just about dark,the moon was shining very brightly, and the first star had just appeared. The piazza was littered with people, and a busker began to play his saxophone. His music echoed through the square, and it was magic. Complete magic. My photos will not do justice, nor will my words, I'm afraid. You'll all hav to come to Rome for yourselves (just not for 6 days. Too long!)....
It is 3pm here now and I have just returned to the hostel to get some info about Pompeii (!!!!!!) day trips and to try and get this pesky water out of my ear before I fly (to PARIS!) on Saturday night. I've spent today wandering by the Tiber River and visiting the Circus Maximus (which is little more than a field and a waste of time! Argh!). I did spend a little time on the Spanish Steps and in the church above them, where there was a Latin and French service happening that was lovely......
Off again. Love to you all - I'll try to get more pics up soon!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Oh. My. Hot!
Hello from the hotter than imaginable Rome...
Dear LORD. Never have I been somewhere this hot. EVER. I shall never again complain about Toronto in August.....
I just arrived and am settling in to my hostel which is ....ok. Someone has been smoking weed in my room, so if nothing else, I'll be high. After I log off here I am headed to wander a bit until dark, I think. NO real plan, which is fun! I am guarding my (WAD!) of cash from Lingue Senza Frontiere with my life! Seriously. We are talking money belt (thanks Mojo!) attached to a belt and inside my clothes. These Italians, man....I am excited to see the ancient city and such...but.
I think after Rome (Saturday night) I will go to Paris...and it will be by plane, as the train is SOOOOOO expensive (the cheapest I could find was close to $400 euros....INSANE). As much as I know I "should" see Florence, Venice, etc.....I have a strong desire to spend some real time in Paris...plus I dont really LOVE Italy (sorry Jane...). Maybe its that Ive been only in the city, maybe its because of the heat....but whatever it is, I am getting eager fora change of scenery. PLus my French is much better than my Italian....
My online time is quickly running down so I shall say adieu...or ciao. Love to you all!!
K
Dear LORD. Never have I been somewhere this hot. EVER. I shall never again complain about Toronto in August.....
I just arrived and am settling in to my hostel which is ....ok. Someone has been smoking weed in my room, so if nothing else, I'll be high. After I log off here I am headed to wander a bit until dark, I think. NO real plan, which is fun! I am guarding my (WAD!) of cash from Lingue Senza Frontiere with my life! Seriously. We are talking money belt (thanks Mojo!) attached to a belt and inside my clothes. These Italians, man....I am excited to see the ancient city and such...but.
I think after Rome (Saturday night) I will go to Paris...and it will be by plane, as the train is SOOOOOO expensive (the cheapest I could find was close to $400 euros....INSANE). As much as I know I "should" see Florence, Venice, etc.....I have a strong desire to spend some real time in Paris...plus I dont really LOVE Italy (sorry Jane...). Maybe its that Ive been only in the city, maybe its because of the heat....but whatever it is, I am getting eager fora change of scenery. PLus my French is much better than my Italian....
My online time is quickly running down so I shall say adieu...or ciao. Love to you all!!
K
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Heh hemmmmm
Hello out there? (Hello out there?)
Can anyone hear me? (Can anyone hear me?)
Where is everyone? Comments, please! Or emails! I miss y'all!!!
Can anyone hear me? (Can anyone hear me?)
Where is everyone? Comments, please! Or emails! I miss y'all!!!
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