Yesterday, Ania and I woke up early, around 9 am and prepared to head out of Krakow and travel to Warsaw. After packing the last of our things, cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom, and moving the furniture back where it was, Ania and I left our Krakow apartment. Struggling down the two floors of stairs to the main level with our suitcases was not fun but needed to be done. We walked through the park one last time as we headed toward the train station. Once there, we checked the departure board to see which platform our train would be one before heading to that platform. We had to carry out suitcases up two flights of stair to get to the platform before waiting ten minutes for our train to arrive.
Ania and I had tickets for car 7, seats 54 & 56 on the train. After climbing aboard our car, we made our way to the little cabin area where our seats were. The area was completely full already, I barely could fit my new, larger suitcase up on the rack. Ania had to take her bag and leave it out near the bathroom where there was room. She stood out there the entire time while I sat in our seats with the rest of our luggage. We left Krakow at noon and headed for Warsaw.
It was a long train ride to new my home for the next three days. The passenger car I was travelling in was small, cramped, and full. Baggage was placed on the racks above our heads with little room for any more. I had my backpack on my lap and Ania's on the seat next to me, her seat. With still an hour to go, my knees were protesting the position they had been stuck in for the last two hours and my bottom was going numb. It didn't help to move in the seat to find a better position because there was none to be had. Vacillating between too warm and warm, the temperature in the car was non-conducive for anything but dozing.
Having completed four Sudoku puzzles ranging from easy to tough I had no inclination to start a fifth but I did so anyway to try and pass the time. Giving up halfway through the game I stared out the window at the passing scenery. Plowed and planted fields, farmhouses, roads going here and there dotted the landscape; trees, power lines and the occasional automobile interspersed throughout. It reminded me of the countryside back home, of my family's house set off from the road, trees surrounding it on three sides, farmland surrounding them. It's springtime here, no snow in sight, everything is green and growing. Flowers are colorfully blooming, it is a time of rebirth.
I wrote that last little bit while on the train. When we got into Warsaw, Ania and I struggled off the train with our luggage and started walking towards our hostel. It was a half-hour walk to our hostel. We braved the Warsaw traffic and pedestrian walk-ways armed with our map and written Google directions. When we finally reached our hostel we were ready to just crash. After paying the remainder of our bill, we were given the key to room 10 and headed for it. Upon entering the room, Ania and I dropped everything to the floor, retrieved our laptops from their traveling locations and proceeded to log onto wireless internet for the first time since Villa Bonelli really. In Follonica, Orvieto, and Rome we had to pay for internet, it's included here. We spent a good 2-3 hours checking email, making phone calls, and surfing the net.
Around 7pm we walked to this American Bar style restaurant for dinner. There we ordered some non-Polish food and ate with gusto. The background music, unfortunately, was only Beyonce and her newest songs. When we got there "All My Single Ladies" was playing. We decided it was time to leave when it started playing for the third time. Fortunately for us we were done with our meal. On our way back to the hostel we found a grocery store where we picked up drinks and ice cream for dessert. Later that night I braved the bathroom to take a shower. It was an experience, but I wasn't interrupted thankfully. We stayed up late even though we were tired.
Around 1 am, music started blasting from the main floor of our hostel. Ania and I didn't know what to do, thinking it would stop soon. After dozing until 4 am we had enough. Not only did the music not stop playing, it continued to blast throughout the hostel. Ania went downstairs and confronted the person working the desk downstairs. Turns out, she was having a party with a bunch of her friends, drinking and listening to blasting music. Ania told her to turn it off as we were trying to sleep. This morning we complained to the man at the desk. He said he would talk with the manager and we might get our money back for that first night but we'll see.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
April 16, 2009
Today, our last full day in Krakow was spent just walking all over the town. Ania and I went to the mall again today because she wanted to pick up a book to read. The selection at the Empiks, these bookstores that had a small selection of English titles, didn’t suit what she wanted to read. So we went to the American Bookstore, that’s the actual name of the store, and found something that suited for Ania. Afterward, we went to the internet café again to just do a quick email check.
Anna had not gotten back to Ania yet so we don’t know what we’re going to do with the keys. We’ll probably just leave them in the apartment or if we see the cleaning lady, just give them to her. But, I wanted to check my email/webtools to see what room Brittany got for me in LaSalle; turns out, according to Brittany, LaSalle filled up 5-10 minutes before my registration time, again. Last year, it filled up before my time and it did so again this year. I’m very pissed off about that fact because now I’m living in Heffron next year in a miniscule room with little to no space. I wanted to be comfortable my senior year and not have to deal with as many issues that I’ve had to deal with concerning rooming problems. I have too much stuff to do next year to have to deal with fire alarms and loud people that is prone to Heffron. I’m stating right now that I will be a huge annoyance to the people in charge if I have to put up with that all year. Brittany did sign me up for the wait list in LaSalle but who knows if that will even pan out.
(Deep breathe in and out. Cleanse the mind of troublesome thoughts.) Okay. Yesterday, while Ania and I were walking around the mall trying to find English books, I ran across the “Quantum of Solace” DVD and had to pick it up. I’ve wanted to see the newest Bond movie ever since it came out. I bought it for 39.99 zlotty in a Saturn store which, incidentally, does not sell cars but is like a Best Buy. Anyway, while the case is all in Polish, the movie can be played in English, Polish, and some other language with six options for subtitles. Ania and I watched it last night after dinner and again tonight. I love the movie. LOVE IT!!!! Seeing Siena and what I believe may be the coast near Cinque Terre just brought back fond memories of my time in Italy. I cannot believe I’m headed back there to leave so soon.
Ania and I leave for Warsaw tomorrow on the 12:00 train. After watching Bond again, we finished up packing. I just have the essentials that I’ll need tomorrow left to pack and then I’m done. We’re supposed to arrive in Warsaw around 3 pm and then it’s a half hour walk to our hostel. There we’re supposed to have free wireless so I’ll be able to upload all my blog entries, do a thorough job of checking my email, and contact my parents, friends, and classmates. Then on Monday, Ania flies home and I fly back to Rome before hitching a train to Florence for my last three nights in Europe. But, before that all happens, I have to get some sleep. Night!
Anna had not gotten back to Ania yet so we don’t know what we’re going to do with the keys. We’ll probably just leave them in the apartment or if we see the cleaning lady, just give them to her. But, I wanted to check my email/webtools to see what room Brittany got for me in LaSalle; turns out, according to Brittany, LaSalle filled up 5-10 minutes before my registration time, again. Last year, it filled up before my time and it did so again this year. I’m very pissed off about that fact because now I’m living in Heffron next year in a miniscule room with little to no space. I wanted to be comfortable my senior year and not have to deal with as many issues that I’ve had to deal with concerning rooming problems. I have too much stuff to do next year to have to deal with fire alarms and loud people that is prone to Heffron. I’m stating right now that I will be a huge annoyance to the people in charge if I have to put up with that all year. Brittany did sign me up for the wait list in LaSalle but who knows if that will even pan out.
(Deep breathe in and out. Cleanse the mind of troublesome thoughts.) Okay. Yesterday, while Ania and I were walking around the mall trying to find English books, I ran across the “Quantum of Solace” DVD and had to pick it up. I’ve wanted to see the newest Bond movie ever since it came out. I bought it for 39.99 zlotty in a Saturn store which, incidentally, does not sell cars but is like a Best Buy. Anyway, while the case is all in Polish, the movie can be played in English, Polish, and some other language with six options for subtitles. Ania and I watched it last night after dinner and again tonight. I love the movie. LOVE IT!!!! Seeing Siena and what I believe may be the coast near Cinque Terre just brought back fond memories of my time in Italy. I cannot believe I’m headed back there to leave so soon.
Ania and I leave for Warsaw tomorrow on the 12:00 train. After watching Bond again, we finished up packing. I just have the essentials that I’ll need tomorrow left to pack and then I’m done. We’re supposed to arrive in Warsaw around 3 pm and then it’s a half hour walk to our hostel. There we’re supposed to have free wireless so I’ll be able to upload all my blog entries, do a thorough job of checking my email, and contact my parents, friends, and classmates. Then on Monday, Ania flies home and I fly back to Rome before hitching a train to Florence for my last three nights in Europe. But, before that all happens, I have to get some sleep. Night!
April 14, 2009
Today we were finally able to go to the grocery store. Ania and I picked up bread, yogurt, noodles, and a few other things the last us until we go to Warsaw on Friday. We were also able to go to the internet café, finally, and check our email. We booked our hostel for Warsaw today as well. We wanted to book the Oki Doki Hostel that is a ten minute walk from the train station. Unfortunately, they didn’t have any private double rooms available for the days we wanted to be there so we looked at a different hostel. The hostel we booked is called Hostel Tamka. It’s a half hour walk from the train station, but it had a private double room for us the three days we’re in Warsaw. Included in the price were linens, towels, breakfast, internet, laundry service, and storage for our luggage. This price, although we have to share a bathroom, was cheaper than that of Oki Doki’s private double. Anyway, we are only paying 210 zlotty or around $65 for the three nights, which was cheaper than any hotel I could find.
Those were the two highlights of our day today. In between grocery shopping and the internet café, we walked around the park for a bit. I also bought myself a purse from this little shop a few doors down from our apartment. It’s a smaller size with a short strap but long enough to stay on its own. It’s this really great spring green color and it was half off. I paid 51 zlotty for it which is around like $11, give or take; a great deal, I thought and Ania really liked it as well.
After dinner, Ania and I walked around town for more than an hour. We walked through the park, down to Wawel Castle and then around the river. We saw a duck fight, swans, and various couples performing public displays of affection on the grass. After walking back to our apartment, via the main market square which was closed down today; there were no little stalls open. Anyway, we walked through the square and got caramel ice cream sundaes which we enjoyed while walking through the park back to our apartment. This was our day today, very mellow and laid back. We were very glad that the grocery store was open and that the internet café was also open. We didn’t want to think about what would have happened had they been closed as well as the market as we were out of meal options and desperately needed provisions.
Those were the two highlights of our day today. In between grocery shopping and the internet café, we walked around the park for a bit. I also bought myself a purse from this little shop a few doors down from our apartment. It’s a smaller size with a short strap but long enough to stay on its own. It’s this really great spring green color and it was half off. I paid 51 zlotty for it which is around like $11, give or take; a great deal, I thought and Ania really liked it as well.
After dinner, Ania and I walked around town for more than an hour. We walked through the park, down to Wawel Castle and then around the river. We saw a duck fight, swans, and various couples performing public displays of affection on the grass. After walking back to our apartment, via the main market square which was closed down today; there were no little stalls open. Anyway, we walked through the square and got caramel ice cream sundaes which we enjoyed while walking through the park back to our apartment. This was our day today, very mellow and laid back. We were very glad that the grocery store was open and that the internet café was also open. We didn’t want to think about what would have happened had they been closed as well as the market as we were out of meal options and desperately needed provisions.
April 13, 2009
Ania and I got up today knowing that we needed to go grocery shopping. But, as we had a list of things we wanted to do, that was our last stop. Our first stop of the day was the train station. There, we purchased our tickets from Krakow to Warsaw. At the first window we went to and asked about a train to Warsaw, we were told to go to another window. After waiting for a few minutes in line, we finally got up to the window. Once there, Ania asked for a local train to Warsaw. The teller behind the window didn’t really understand what we were asking. Fortunately for us, the gentleman who was in the line ahead of us stepped in and translated to the teller what we were looking for. After all was said and done, Ania and I purchased tickets to Warsaw via the express train for 97 zlotty. Because we were under 26, we receive a 25% discount so our tickets only cost 75 zlotty. Both Ania and I laughed after we left the train station because we found it hilarious that the teller had to ask if we were under 26. We found it funny to think we look older, but it could have been that the teller had to ask.
Our next item of business was to walk around the mall. Unfortunately, when we walked to the train station we noticed that the mall was still closed. So, we walked to the grocery store, but it too was closed. It seemed like the town of Krakow closed for Easter weekend and would not be open again until tomorrow. We walked to the internet café and hoped it would be open but it too was also closed. So, after walking around for a little bit, we headed back to our apartment. Once there we did a little cleaning. Ania did the breakfast dishes as I washed the dinner dishes. Then we both went to our separate rooms and started the first stages of packing. Since I bought my new suitcase I wanted to see how I would fit everything in. I put my smaller suitcase inside the big one and was relieved to see that it fit nicely and wasn’t wider than my new suitcase. I then packed what I could and folded everything else up. Afterward, I blogged for a little bit.
Around 5ish, we decided to head back to the train station to use the internet kiosks set up there to contact our families as we both knew that they would be worried. It was more expensive than the café we use but we both needed some internet time. I knew that I would have a “Are you okay?” email from my mom and I was right. After checking my three email accounts and waiting for facebook to load my time ran out. We then walked back to the apartment but stopped by a little restaurant for a little dinner. We decided to call it an early night as we had big plans for the next day and to get our sleeping schedules back on track. Ania tried to get the TV working but was unable to.
Our next item of business was to walk around the mall. Unfortunately, when we walked to the train station we noticed that the mall was still closed. So, we walked to the grocery store, but it too was closed. It seemed like the town of Krakow closed for Easter weekend and would not be open again until tomorrow. We walked to the internet café and hoped it would be open but it too was also closed. So, after walking around for a little bit, we headed back to our apartment. Once there we did a little cleaning. Ania did the breakfast dishes as I washed the dinner dishes. Then we both went to our separate rooms and started the first stages of packing. Since I bought my new suitcase I wanted to see how I would fit everything in. I put my smaller suitcase inside the big one and was relieved to see that it fit nicely and wasn’t wider than my new suitcase. I then packed what I could and folded everything else up. Afterward, I blogged for a little bit.
Around 5ish, we decided to head back to the train station to use the internet kiosks set up there to contact our families as we both knew that they would be worried. It was more expensive than the café we use but we both needed some internet time. I knew that I would have a “Are you okay?” email from my mom and I was right. After checking my three email accounts and waiting for facebook to load my time ran out. We then walked back to the apartment but stopped by a little restaurant for a little dinner. We decided to call it an early night as we had big plans for the next day and to get our sleeping schedules back on track. Ania tried to get the TV working but was unable to.
April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday. My first Easter that I can remember that I am away from my family. We always go to Grandma’s house for Easter, have done for as long as I can remember. First, we would attend Easter Sunday Mass in the morning and then we would travel to Grandma’s house. There, with as many family members as could make it, we would have a large Easter dinner. Usually ham, turkey, venison or pork, pierogi, mashed potatoes, and various other trimmings would be served as the meal. Of course, deviled eggs would be served as well, those that were dyed the day before. For dessert there would always be a lamb cake, almost always poppy seed as it is Grandma’s favorite. But the most important aspect of the whole day would be that we were together as a family, enjoying the bounty of God, and celebrating the joyous occasion.
Grandma always has little baskets hidden around the house for all the cousins and parents. After greeting everyone already at her house, your first order of business was to find your basket. I always find everyone else’s before I find mine. Without fail, I am usually the last in my family to find her basket. I miss all these little traditions our family has surrounding this holiday. It’s been a rare event that has kept me away from my family during holidays. I don’t remember the last holiday, major holiday that I’ve been away from everyone. I think I’ve always been home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. It’s weird to think of my family, immediate and extended, enjoying the holiday and each other’s company without me present. I’m not being pompous by saying this but I guess I miss that. I’m really missing my family now that I’ve been over here in Europe for so long. I guess distance does make the heart grow fonder.
So, on to what I did on this celebration of Christ’s rising from the dead. Ania and I awoke at 10 to prepare for the day. We walked to St. Mary’s Basilica around noon but when we got there Mass was already in progress so we left with the purpose of coming back for the 1pm Mass. We walked around the main square and ran into a few interesting performers. There was a man playing the xylophone on the corner near the church. He was accompanying the songs playing from the speaker set near him. The music was wonderful to listen to and he showed extreme talent in the songs he was playing. After pausing there and listening to him for a while, Ania and I continued on down the street. The next performers we came across were this older couple playing the accordion and cello. They were playing, when we first heard them, the chicken dance and other typical Polish music, polkas like ‘Roll Out the Barrel.’ It was glorious listening to them play because they took such joy in playing for the crowd in their traditional Polish attire. Ania and I walked around a little more before heading back to the Church. On our way we got distracted by the sound of Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” We walked over to the area where the man playing the song. He was playing an electric violin. We listened to him play two more songs before journeying back to the church for mass.
We entered the church as the previous Mass was just finishing. Ania and I took a seat near the back of the church. It was a different experience, attending a Polish Mass. I didn’t understand the majority of the Mass because I don’t know Polish. I knew when to say Alleluia, Amen, and make the sign of the cross but that was about it. Even Ania was stumped at some points because the Mass was different then the Polish Masses she attends back home. But, the basilica is so pretty inside that I just let the feeling and presence of the church command my attention during the mass.
After Mass, we walked to the other side of the square and bought pierogi and kielbasa for lunch from one of the stalls. We then went and got ice cream (lody) from another stall. We then just walked to the park and walked around through the park. We ended up down by Wewal Castle. Down there we came upon another musical group performing. When we got closer, Ania joked that it was the guys we saw in the market. I joked that it was a bunch of priests singing. Low and behold, it wasn’t priests singing but a bunch of monks. Both of us were slightly shocked because the group was all monks. Nuns were in the crowd dancing and the crowd was singing along. There was a monk playing the drum set, two or three playing various guitars, one on a flute of some sort, and one lead singing. It was the most interesting musical group I have ever seen. We stayed, watched, and listened for a while. It seemed the majority of the songs they played were religious themed but still interesting to listen too.
After we continued on our way we ended up back in the main market square. We walked a circle around the town. We headed back to the apartment to take a break before fixing dinner. We were slightly tired from our walk which took us around most of the center of town. Dinner consisted of the rest of the pasta we had and sauce with the rest of the Bundt cake we bought on Friday. Not much for an Easter dinner but nothing was open on Saturday and nothing would be open on Easter Sunday so we made do. After dinner we watched “The Italian Job” before getting ready for bed.
Grandma always has little baskets hidden around the house for all the cousins and parents. After greeting everyone already at her house, your first order of business was to find your basket. I always find everyone else’s before I find mine. Without fail, I am usually the last in my family to find her basket. I miss all these little traditions our family has surrounding this holiday. It’s been a rare event that has kept me away from my family during holidays. I don’t remember the last holiday, major holiday that I’ve been away from everyone. I think I’ve always been home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. It’s weird to think of my family, immediate and extended, enjoying the holiday and each other’s company without me present. I’m not being pompous by saying this but I guess I miss that. I’m really missing my family now that I’ve been over here in Europe for so long. I guess distance does make the heart grow fonder.
So, on to what I did on this celebration of Christ’s rising from the dead. Ania and I awoke at 10 to prepare for the day. We walked to St. Mary’s Basilica around noon but when we got there Mass was already in progress so we left with the purpose of coming back for the 1pm Mass. We walked around the main square and ran into a few interesting performers. There was a man playing the xylophone on the corner near the church. He was accompanying the songs playing from the speaker set near him. The music was wonderful to listen to and he showed extreme talent in the songs he was playing. After pausing there and listening to him for a while, Ania and I continued on down the street. The next performers we came across were this older couple playing the accordion and cello. They were playing, when we first heard them, the chicken dance and other typical Polish music, polkas like ‘Roll Out the Barrel.’ It was glorious listening to them play because they took such joy in playing for the crowd in their traditional Polish attire. Ania and I walked around a little more before heading back to the Church. On our way we got distracted by the sound of Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” We walked over to the area where the man playing the song. He was playing an electric violin. We listened to him play two more songs before journeying back to the church for mass.
We entered the church as the previous Mass was just finishing. Ania and I took a seat near the back of the church. It was a different experience, attending a Polish Mass. I didn’t understand the majority of the Mass because I don’t know Polish. I knew when to say Alleluia, Amen, and make the sign of the cross but that was about it. Even Ania was stumped at some points because the Mass was different then the Polish Masses she attends back home. But, the basilica is so pretty inside that I just let the feeling and presence of the church command my attention during the mass.
After Mass, we walked to the other side of the square and bought pierogi and kielbasa for lunch from one of the stalls. We then went and got ice cream (lody) from another stall. We then just walked to the park and walked around through the park. We ended up down by Wewal Castle. Down there we came upon another musical group performing. When we got closer, Ania joked that it was the guys we saw in the market. I joked that it was a bunch of priests singing. Low and behold, it wasn’t priests singing but a bunch of monks. Both of us were slightly shocked because the group was all monks. Nuns were in the crowd dancing and the crowd was singing along. There was a monk playing the drum set, two or three playing various guitars, one on a flute of some sort, and one lead singing. It was the most interesting musical group I have ever seen. We stayed, watched, and listened for a while. It seemed the majority of the songs they played were religious themed but still interesting to listen too.
After we continued on our way we ended up back in the main market square. We walked a circle around the town. We headed back to the apartment to take a break before fixing dinner. We were slightly tired from our walk which took us around most of the center of town. Dinner consisted of the rest of the pasta we had and sauce with the rest of the Bundt cake we bought on Friday. Not much for an Easter dinner but nothing was open on Saturday and nothing would be open on Easter Sunday so we made do. After dinner we watched “The Italian Job” before getting ready for bed.
April 11, 2009
Holy Saturday. Ania and I, after waking up in the afternoon, decided to go shopping for our Easter dinner. We leave the apartment with our grocery bags in hand and walk to the smaller store near our apartment. We found the store closed when we got there but didn’t think anything of it. We decided to walk, then, to the mall and use the grocery store there. When we got to the mall, it too was closed. At this point we were pretty disgusted with ourselves because we now had no way of buying any food for dinner for Easter. So, we just walked around the main market square and went inside the cloth hall that houses more sellers. I bought this set of Polish boxes that I’m going to give away as gifts to people. I also bought another gift in the market for another one of my aunts.
That night, we had already decided on going to a Folk Show at one of the local restaurants. We got there just before 7 and the place was packed. Ania and I found a little table at the back of the restaurant and sat down. She ordered beer and I ordered wine. After having been in Italy and having tasted some really good white and red wines, I can definitely say that the red I was given was not a very good wine, but, this is Poland and not Italy which in known for wines.
The show consisted of a group of five people, three guys and two girls. There was a trumpet player, a violinist, an accordion player, and two dancers. While the players played traditional and local songs, the dancers danced traditional and local dances. After a half hour of this, our food was brought out. Goulash soup was our dinner. While tasty it was not very filling. But, I enjoyed myself so I cannot complain. After dinner was another half hour of songs and dances. The two dancers periodically took the diners as partners and for one of the dances I was chosen. I’m glad I know somewhat how to polka because I was twirled, spun, and pretty much tossed around the very small dance floor with my partner. I had a ton of fun dancing though, even though it was very tiring after a while. When I walked back to Ania, she was laughing and crying at how I was practically tossed around the dance floor. She got pictures of it too which I will post later.
After dinner, we walked around town for a good hour or so before going back to the apartment and crashing again. We decided to go to the Easter Mass around 12 so we set our alarms and went to bed.
That night, we had already decided on going to a Folk Show at one of the local restaurants. We got there just before 7 and the place was packed. Ania and I found a little table at the back of the restaurant and sat down. She ordered beer and I ordered wine. After having been in Italy and having tasted some really good white and red wines, I can definitely say that the red I was given was not a very good wine, but, this is Poland and not Italy which in known for wines.
The show consisted of a group of five people, three guys and two girls. There was a trumpet player, a violinist, an accordion player, and two dancers. While the players played traditional and local songs, the dancers danced traditional and local dances. After a half hour of this, our food was brought out. Goulash soup was our dinner. While tasty it was not very filling. But, I enjoyed myself so I cannot complain. After dinner was another half hour of songs and dances. The two dancers periodically took the diners as partners and for one of the dances I was chosen. I’m glad I know somewhat how to polka because I was twirled, spun, and pretty much tossed around the very small dance floor with my partner. I had a ton of fun dancing though, even though it was very tiring after a while. When I walked back to Ania, she was laughing and crying at how I was practically tossed around the dance floor. She got pictures of it too which I will post later.
After dinner, we walked around town for a good hour or so before going back to the apartment and crashing again. We decided to go to the Easter Mass around 12 so we set our alarms and went to bed.
April 10th, 2009
Friday, Good Friday, the day Jesus died. I should have gone to Mass today but, none of us got up until really late so we didn’t leave the apartment until around 2ish or so. We went to the mall first thing because Nikki wanted to get some pictures printed to we went to find a Kodak Express. At the mall, we hit the ground floor first. We stopped at this luggage store and I picked up a fairly large suitcase to replace Grandma’s that was destroyed when I came over to Italy three months ago. I cannot believe that it has been that long. Three months: in a foreign country on a foreign continent with limited access to my parents and family; three months: in places where I barely know the language, just enough to get me around. It had definitely been an experience that I will never forget.
But I digress. After buying my suitcase, Nikki found some place to print her pictures and then she went to check on the train to the airport. Ania and I went to the grocery store inside the mall to pick up a few things that we would need for the coming days: bread, snack food, drinks, etc. After walking back to the apartment and dropping off the food and my new suitcase, we went to the market square and walked around the stalls. Ania and Nikki bought some pierogi at the market and ate it there. The then went to the internet café to check on a few things while I went back to the apartment and made myself some noodles.
We all tried to go to bed early as Nikki had to be up at 4 to catch the train to the airport at 5. None of us could fall asleep until really late (or really early depending on how you look at it) so we were running on very little sleep when the alarms went off at 4 am. Ania and I walked Nikki to the train station through the quite streets of Krakow and the dark city park. It was kind of creepy walking through the deserted streets in the semidarkness. A funny thing happened on our way back to the apartment though. We had noticed that some of the streets were wet but didn’t think anything of it until we were walking down this one street on our way back when we saw the truck driving down the street toward us. It was washing the street but the water reached all the way to the buildings. It took a second for Ania and I to register the fact that this truck was coming at us and that we were going to get wet. We turned and ran for the doorway behind us and ‘hid’ ourselves inside the doorway until the truck passed by. The driver must have done something to the water because it came no where near us. We were laughing hysterically after this happened all the way to the apartment. Once back at the apartment we zonked out until noonish or so.
But I digress. After buying my suitcase, Nikki found some place to print her pictures and then she went to check on the train to the airport. Ania and I went to the grocery store inside the mall to pick up a few things that we would need for the coming days: bread, snack food, drinks, etc. After walking back to the apartment and dropping off the food and my new suitcase, we went to the market square and walked around the stalls. Ania and Nikki bought some pierogi at the market and ate it there. The then went to the internet café to check on a few things while I went back to the apartment and made myself some noodles.
We all tried to go to bed early as Nikki had to be up at 4 to catch the train to the airport at 5. None of us could fall asleep until really late (or really early depending on how you look at it) so we were running on very little sleep when the alarms went off at 4 am. Ania and I walked Nikki to the train station through the quite streets of Krakow and the dark city park. It was kind of creepy walking through the deserted streets in the semidarkness. A funny thing happened on our way back to the apartment though. We had noticed that some of the streets were wet but didn’t think anything of it until we were walking down this one street on our way back when we saw the truck driving down the street toward us. It was washing the street but the water reached all the way to the buildings. It took a second for Ania and I to register the fact that this truck was coming at us and that we were going to get wet. We turned and ran for the doorway behind us and ‘hid’ ourselves inside the doorway until the truck passed by. The driver must have done something to the water because it came no where near us. We were laughing hysterically after this happened all the way to the apartment. Once back at the apartment we zonked out until noonish or so.
Author/Book Review (April 10, 2009)
Meg Allison’s new book Dream Walk is one intense, action-packed, suspenseful novel. Although it was not my first eBook or even my first book by a Samhain author, it will forever stick out in my mind because of the intensity the novel had throughout the entire story. From the first page until the epilogue, I was hooked by the story. I came across Meg’s work after stumbling upon Samhain Publishing’s Yahoo! Group page. Fortunately for me the very next week was their Reader Appreciation/Read an EBook week. I logged on everyday to check out what was happening, read a multitude of excerpts by Samhain authors, and even won a few contests during the week. One of those contests that I won brought me to select Meg’s book as my prize. I had read her excerpt from Dream Walk the day before and put it on my to-be-bought-list. When I won one of the daily eBook giveaways from the group I chose Dream Walk, and I do not regret it now that I have finally read it.
The story: the heroin is a medium/erotic fiction writer who is losing sleep over nightmares where a demon is trying to make her insane. In walks the hero: a tall, dark and handsome bodyguard sent to protect the heroin from the demon. Both instantly feel the attraction that ignites between them upon their first meeting. The twists and turns throughout the story leave the reader turning the pages, unable to wait to see what happens next. A hot read that I could not put down and had to read in almost one sitting. I cannot wait until the next Sentinels book; Cami and Ian have only whetted my appetite for more. I’ll have to go out and buy more of Meg Allison’s books to keep me happy!
The story: the heroin is a medium/erotic fiction writer who is losing sleep over nightmares where a demon is trying to make her insane. In walks the hero: a tall, dark and handsome bodyguard sent to protect the heroin from the demon. Both instantly feel the attraction that ignites between them upon their first meeting. The twists and turns throughout the story leave the reader turning the pages, unable to wait to see what happens next. A hot read that I could not put down and had to read in almost one sitting. I cannot wait until the next Sentinels book; Cami and Ian have only whetted my appetite for more. I’ll have to go out and buy more of Meg Allison’s books to keep me happy!
April 9, 2009
After sleeping in this morning, we left the apartment after noon and walked around town. We had decided to go to a museum today but didn’t know which one yet. Upon entering the main market square, we saw that the Krakow Museum was now open. Turns out it was only closed because a new exhibit was opening. Ania asked the lady at the ticket office what museums were open in the city and she gave us a pamphlet of all the affiliated museums that explained what each was about. We decided not to see the exhibit in the Krakow Museum as it was of an actress we didn’t know about. Instead, we walked a short distance to the Town Hall Tower and went there instead.
There were three floors in the tower that we visited. It was interesting just walking up the old, medieval style tower stairs. The stone stairs were uneven and slightly hazardous to climb up as well as narrow. The first floor had a small exhibit showing period clothes as well as old pictures of the tower and the square. The next floor had copies of pictures taken from before automobiles were used. The last floor had windows to see the views of the city. It also had, in a glass case, the mechanism we assumed was used to run the clock on the tower.
After safely making our way back down the stairs, we walked around the market stalls. Browsing all the way through the stalls I couldn’t help but wish I had some way to transport home the items I really wanted to buy. But, trying to bring home glassware and expecting it to still be in one piece when it gets through customs. We walked around the market for a while then decided to walk around the edges of the market since we had not done that.
After a couple of hours just walking around and browsing the shops we came back to our apartment to rest a little before going out to eat. For dinner we went to this little outdoor eating place where all the servers are university students trying to earn money for summer trips. Nikki ordered cabbage rolls, Ania ordered tomato and rice soup, and I ordered venison stew in a bread bowl. All of our meals were delicious and we enjoyed them very much.
After dinner, we all went to the internet café and spent an hour on the internet doing various things. I finally booked my flight back to Italy. I decided to go into Rome instead of trying to get to Florence as it was much cheaper, about $200 cheaper, to go into Rome. Nikki told me that the most expensive train ticket from Rome to Florence was 36 euro so I’m saving a lot by flying into Rome. Plus, I know my way around the Rome airport, sort of, so I’ll be okay.
Anyway, after logging off, we walked back to this gelato/ice cream place we saw while walking around the square today. We went inside and sat down. The waitress brought us the menus and we each ordered a different sundae. Mine was this tall kiwi/apple concoction with kiwi, vanilla and strawberry ice cream with whipped cream and kiwi sauce on top. It was the most delicious mix of fruit slices, ice cream and toppings that I’ve ever had. Nikki ordered a similar sundae but with strawberries while Ania had a chocolate-themed sundae. We walked around for a little bit afterward as each of us was stuffed from dessert before heading back to the apartment for the night.
There were three floors in the tower that we visited. It was interesting just walking up the old, medieval style tower stairs. The stone stairs were uneven and slightly hazardous to climb up as well as narrow. The first floor had a small exhibit showing period clothes as well as old pictures of the tower and the square. The next floor had copies of pictures taken from before automobiles were used. The last floor had windows to see the views of the city. It also had, in a glass case, the mechanism we assumed was used to run the clock on the tower.
After safely making our way back down the stairs, we walked around the market stalls. Browsing all the way through the stalls I couldn’t help but wish I had some way to transport home the items I really wanted to buy. But, trying to bring home glassware and expecting it to still be in one piece when it gets through customs. We walked around the market for a while then decided to walk around the edges of the market since we had not done that.
After a couple of hours just walking around and browsing the shops we came back to our apartment to rest a little before going out to eat. For dinner we went to this little outdoor eating place where all the servers are university students trying to earn money for summer trips. Nikki ordered cabbage rolls, Ania ordered tomato and rice soup, and I ordered venison stew in a bread bowl. All of our meals were delicious and we enjoyed them very much.
After dinner, we all went to the internet café and spent an hour on the internet doing various things. I finally booked my flight back to Italy. I decided to go into Rome instead of trying to get to Florence as it was much cheaper, about $200 cheaper, to go into Rome. Nikki told me that the most expensive train ticket from Rome to Florence was 36 euro so I’m saving a lot by flying into Rome. Plus, I know my way around the Rome airport, sort of, so I’ll be okay.
Anyway, after logging off, we walked back to this gelato/ice cream place we saw while walking around the square today. We went inside and sat down. The waitress brought us the menus and we each ordered a different sundae. Mine was this tall kiwi/apple concoction with kiwi, vanilla and strawberry ice cream with whipped cream and kiwi sauce on top. It was the most delicious mix of fruit slices, ice cream and toppings that I’ve ever had. Nikki ordered a similar sundae but with strawberries while Ania had a chocolate-themed sundae. We walked around for a little bit afterward as each of us was stuffed from dessert before heading back to the apartment for the night.
April 8, 2009
After sleeping in until 11 today, we had a lazy afternoon. Ania and Nikki went to walk around town while I stayed behind and cleaned up the apartment a bit. Anna came over around 3:30 and took us to her office so we could pay the rent. She also asked us when to send the cleaning lady over to change the sheets and towels and such. As we had our Salt Mine tour at 4, we told Anna to just send the cleaning lady today.
Very soon after we got back to our apartment, we went back downstairs and met up with Mike, the guy taking us to our tour. We hopped into the van, the same one we took to Auschwitz, and drove about 45 minutes to a small town outside of Krakow where the salt mine is located. After about a 20 minute wait, we entered the salt mine with our English tour guide.
We walked down 54 floors, totaling about 340 steps before entering the first part of the salt mine opened to tourists around 34 meters below the surface. The tour consisted of only 1% of the total mine going down as low as 150 meters below the surface. We walked along the designated path, through caverns and chapels constructed by the miners with only primitive mining tools like the pick ax. There were many sculptures done by the miners in the rock salt found in the mine. The sculptures were magnificent to behold, especially knowing that no professional artist did the sculpting, only amateur miners.
The first chapel we visited was the chapel dedicated to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. Miners were said to have prayed to St. Anthony so that they would not be lost in the mine. After doing down more steps we visited a cavern turned into almost a cathedral. At 101 meters below the surface, the church was made entirely of salt: chandeliers, reliefs on the walls, statues, side chapels, floor, ceiling, walls—all of salt. There were reliefs of Harod and the magi, the slaughter of the innocents, the nativity, and travel to Bethlehem, fleeing into Egypt, the wedding of Cannes, the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and Doubting Thomas. All were beautiful reliefs, especially the one of the Last Supper which had excellent use of perspective but was only 12 centimeters deep. Inside the church, which our guide told us has Mass every Sunday and can be used for weddings; there was a salt monument to John Paul II, who visited the mines as a student twice and bishop once but never as the Pope.
We descended into many more caverns and other interesting sites before taking a lift back up to the surface. I bought a few gifts for people that I hope they will enjoy and even found something for Raquel’s baby shower.
After returning to the apartment we had a simple dinner of noodles and sauce before turning in for the night.
Very soon after we got back to our apartment, we went back downstairs and met up with Mike, the guy taking us to our tour. We hopped into the van, the same one we took to Auschwitz, and drove about 45 minutes to a small town outside of Krakow where the salt mine is located. After about a 20 minute wait, we entered the salt mine with our English tour guide.
We walked down 54 floors, totaling about 340 steps before entering the first part of the salt mine opened to tourists around 34 meters below the surface. The tour consisted of only 1% of the total mine going down as low as 150 meters below the surface. We walked along the designated path, through caverns and chapels constructed by the miners with only primitive mining tools like the pick ax. There were many sculptures done by the miners in the rock salt found in the mine. The sculptures were magnificent to behold, especially knowing that no professional artist did the sculpting, only amateur miners.
The first chapel we visited was the chapel dedicated to St. Anthony, patron saint of lost things. Miners were said to have prayed to St. Anthony so that they would not be lost in the mine. After doing down more steps we visited a cavern turned into almost a cathedral. At 101 meters below the surface, the church was made entirely of salt: chandeliers, reliefs on the walls, statues, side chapels, floor, ceiling, walls—all of salt. There were reliefs of Harod and the magi, the slaughter of the innocents, the nativity, and travel to Bethlehem, fleeing into Egypt, the wedding of Cannes, the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and Doubting Thomas. All were beautiful reliefs, especially the one of the Last Supper which had excellent use of perspective but was only 12 centimeters deep. Inside the church, which our guide told us has Mass every Sunday and can be used for weddings; there was a salt monument to John Paul II, who visited the mines as a student twice and bishop once but never as the Pope.
We descended into many more caverns and other interesting sites before taking a lift back up to the surface. I bought a few gifts for people that I hope they will enjoy and even found something for Raquel’s baby shower.
After returning to the apartment we had a simple dinner of noodles and sauce before turning in for the night.
April 7, 2009
We went to the mall in Krakow yesterday. We looked around before Ania and I left to walk around the town. We were going to go to the Krakow Museum, which is located in the main market square, but when we got there, we found that the Museum was closed due to construction. With that info under our belts, we decided to just walk around the market. We walked and browsed through every stall and made purchases for gifts for our family. I bought something for mom and Aunt Bridget, while Ania bought something for her mom and sister.
After looking at all the market stalls, we decided to go to the Florian gate. We looked all over for it before asking the people at information. Turns out, we walk by the gate every day when we go to the market for groceries. Very anti-climatic for all of us involved. But, Ania and I took pictures at the barbican, this little castle-looking building, and then the gate.
Afterwards, we went to the market and bought beef jerkey-like sticks of Polish meat and sat in the park for a little bit. When we got back to the apartment it was to find Nikki not there yet, and as she had the key, we decided to go do some shopping for supper in hopes she would be back by the time we were done. Ania and I picked up some eggs, butter, bread, and other things needed for a couple more days in our apartment. When we got back, we met up with Nikki and started dinner.
While the water was bubbling and the vegetables sautéing, we realized we forgot to pick up toilet paper. Nikki went out to get some and some more juice for dinner. By the time she got back, dinner was just about ready to eat. We ate really early and had the dishes done by like 6:30ish or so. The three of us then sat down, or rather lay down, and watched “Sex in the City.” After the movie, which got over by 9:30, I showered and we all went to bed.
After looking at all the market stalls, we decided to go to the Florian gate. We looked all over for it before asking the people at information. Turns out, we walk by the gate every day when we go to the market for groceries. Very anti-climatic for all of us involved. But, Ania and I took pictures at the barbican, this little castle-looking building, and then the gate.
Afterwards, we went to the market and bought beef jerkey-like sticks of Polish meat and sat in the park for a little bit. When we got back to the apartment it was to find Nikki not there yet, and as she had the key, we decided to go do some shopping for supper in hopes she would be back by the time we were done. Ania and I picked up some eggs, butter, bread, and other things needed for a couple more days in our apartment. When we got back, we met up with Nikki and started dinner.
While the water was bubbling and the vegetables sautéing, we realized we forgot to pick up toilet paper. Nikki went out to get some and some more juice for dinner. By the time she got back, dinner was just about ready to eat. We ate really early and had the dishes done by like 6:30ish or so. The three of us then sat down, or rather lay down, and watched “Sex in the City.” After the movie, which got over by 9:30, I showered and we all went to bed.
April 6, 2009
Today we visited Auschwitz. The representative of the company through which we booked the tour picked us up around 9 along with four other people. It took a little over an hour to get to Auschwitz. Once there, we watched a film about the concentration camp before entering Auschwitz. It was a different type of experience, walking through the once Polish army barracks turned Nazi concentration camp. We spent about two hours in the first camp, looking at various exhibitions set up in the old barracks. One exhibition housed all the items taken from the prisoners when they entered the camp. There was a room just filled with shoes; another with toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shaving brushes, and shoe brushes. Another room had all the women’s hair that was taken during the war. The hair was sent to German textile factories and was to be used as stiffening in fabric. We then visited the Death Block, number 11, where the nearby Death Wall is situated outside in the courtyard area. The whole overall experience was one that I will never forget.
After a 15 minute break, we drove to the nearby Birkenau camp, the second of the Auschwitz camps, the death camp. This is the camp with the infamous wall with the train tracks running through the gate. We only spent about an hour here but it was enough. We visited the ruins of gas chambers and crematoriums, more barracks that housed the prisoners, and the barracks that had the toilets and wash-basins that were too few for the number of prisoners in the camp. It was awful to see all of this; awful to think that people were evil enough to think of such an organized way to destroy millions of lives. I’m glad we went to visit the camp, it brought home the momentous damaged caused by one crazy, evil man.
After returning back to Krakow, we found a place to eat out for dinner. We had some great food, potato soup and pierogi. After dinner we returned to our apartments and went to bed after staying up late and talking.
After a 15 minute break, we drove to the nearby Birkenau camp, the second of the Auschwitz camps, the death camp. This is the camp with the infamous wall with the train tracks running through the gate. We only spent about an hour here but it was enough. We visited the ruins of gas chambers and crematoriums, more barracks that housed the prisoners, and the barracks that had the toilets and wash-basins that were too few for the number of prisoners in the camp. It was awful to see all of this; awful to think that people were evil enough to think of such an organized way to destroy millions of lives. I’m glad we went to visit the camp, it brought home the momentous damaged caused by one crazy, evil man.
After returning back to Krakow, we found a place to eat out for dinner. We had some great food, potato soup and pierogi. After dinner we returned to our apartments and went to bed after staying up late and talking.
April 5, 2009
We went and visited Wawel Castle today. We bought tickets to view the private apartments of the castle and also to see the Cathedral. Our tour for the private apartments wasn’t until 3:20 so we toured the Cathedral first. We all got audio guides and listened to our virtual guide as we walked about the Cathedral. It was a very interesting and engaging experience. I forgot my camera so I’ll have to get pictures from Ania later.
When we toured the private apartments, our group had many different people in it. It was an English tour but we had people from Sweden and Spain among the group members. The tour only took about 40 minutes but was very fascinating. Most of the paintings and artwork were extraordinary to look at as well as much of the Polish furniture. I really enjoyed the tour and would go back to the castle to visit other exhibitions that we didn’t see.
That night, we had pasta again but this time with chicken, peppers, and other vegetables. It was an experience trying to cook everything on this tiny stove with these tiny pots and pans. We called it another early night as we had our tour of Auschwitz in the morning.
When we toured the private apartments, our group had many different people in it. It was an English tour but we had people from Sweden and Spain among the group members. The tour only took about 40 minutes but was very fascinating. Most of the paintings and artwork were extraordinary to look at as well as much of the Polish furniture. I really enjoyed the tour and would go back to the castle to visit other exhibitions that we didn’t see.
That night, we had pasta again but this time with chicken, peppers, and other vegetables. It was an experience trying to cook everything on this tiny stove with these tiny pots and pans. We called it another early night as we had our tour of Auschwitz in the morning.
April 4, 2009
From the station, we found our way to our apartment after asking help a few times. Anna was waiting for us there and let us into our second floor apartment. We got a bigger apartment then they originally told us because they figured we were going to be here for 2 weeks, at least Ania and I will, so they wanted to give a kitchen so we could cook.
The apartment has 4 rooms plus the entry way: a bathroom, kitchen, and then 2 bedrooms; there are actually 8 twin sized beds in the apartment. After letting Anna out and choosing who would sleep where, we all crashed until the afternoon.
When we finally woke up later that afternoon, we walked around town a bit. We went to an info place to get a map and ask a few questions. After withdrawing money from the ATM, we walked around the main square area Rynek Głowny. Here we got some lunch, steak and kielbasa along with Polish beer. We then located a grocery store to purchase items to make for dinner.
Dinner that night was pasta with a red sauce. We also purchased some bread, yogurt, and other items needed for us to survive. We watched the movie “Mona Lisa Smile” after dinner and then went to bed.
The apartment has 4 rooms plus the entry way: a bathroom, kitchen, and then 2 bedrooms; there are actually 8 twin sized beds in the apartment. After letting Anna out and choosing who would sleep where, we all crashed until the afternoon.
When we finally woke up later that afternoon, we walked around town a bit. We went to an info place to get a map and ask a few questions. After withdrawing money from the ATM, we walked around the main square area Rynek Głowny. Here we got some lunch, steak and kielbasa along with Polish beer. We then located a grocery store to purchase items to make for dinner.
Dinner that night was pasta with a red sauce. We also purchased some bread, yogurt, and other items needed for us to survive. We watched the movie “Mona Lisa Smile” after dinner and then went to bed.
April 3, 2009
Leaving day. Today, everyone except Courtney and Adam who are staying in Rome until the 5th packed up and headed out. Allyson, her dad Mike, Ania, Nikki and I all headed toward Roma Termini together. We walked to the metro and then together to the station. It was hard saying goodbye to Allyson after so long of a time being together. I hope their trip was safe and okay. Nikki, Ania and I bought our train tickets to the airport and then waited. Ania and I saw Bob at the train station which was funny-weird in the sense that Bob seemed to always be just around the corner this entire trip.
After reaching the airport, the three of us waited in the check-in line for like 2 hours. They didn’t start checking in people for our 3:05 flight until 1:30. We thought we were going to miss the flight, but we got checked in and through security with a lot of time to spare. The flight was about 30 minutes late taking off but only took 1.5 hours so we landed on time at 5:05 in Prague. When we gathered our luggage and left the airport we took a shuttle to the main train station in Prague.
Driving through the streets of Prague was like taking a step back in time. It was amazing to see the old buildings and just look. I hope I can make it back there but it probably won’t be on this trip. When we arrived at the train station we purchased our tickets for the overnight train to Krakow and then had to wait 2 hours before we could board. Hanging around the train station was weird and a little creepy so I was happy when they finally announced which platform our train was on.
The three of us girls boarded the train with our luggage and found a section of the train for ourselves. After the train guy validated our tickets, we shut the lights off and prepared for a long night. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too difficult to fall asleep. We mostly dozed as it was either too hot or cold in the car. Nikki and I slept on the seats while Ania took the floor. It wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement but it worked. Around 3 am, another train guy punched our tickets and we then dozed until 6:30 when we arrived in Krakow.
After reaching the airport, the three of us waited in the check-in line for like 2 hours. They didn’t start checking in people for our 3:05 flight until 1:30. We thought we were going to miss the flight, but we got checked in and through security with a lot of time to spare. The flight was about 30 minutes late taking off but only took 1.5 hours so we landed on time at 5:05 in Prague. When we gathered our luggage and left the airport we took a shuttle to the main train station in Prague.
Driving through the streets of Prague was like taking a step back in time. It was amazing to see the old buildings and just look. I hope I can make it back there but it probably won’t be on this trip. When we arrived at the train station we purchased our tickets for the overnight train to Krakow and then had to wait 2 hours before we could board. Hanging around the train station was weird and a little creepy so I was happy when they finally announced which platform our train was on.
The three of us girls boarded the train with our luggage and found a section of the train for ourselves. After the train guy validated our tickets, we shut the lights off and prepared for a long night. Surprisingly, it wasn’t too difficult to fall asleep. We mostly dozed as it was either too hot or cold in the car. Nikki and I slept on the seats while Ania took the floor. It wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement but it worked. Around 3 am, another train guy punched our tickets and we then dozed until 6:30 when we arrived in Krakow.
April 2, 2009
Today I went to the Colosseo by myself. I know my mom will probably be angry that I went by myself but I enjoyed it. I woke up around 8, went to breakfast, and walked to the metro by 8:30. I took the metro from Otaviano to Termini then switched lines and took went from Termini to Colosseo. There, I got off the metro and walked over to the Colosseo. I hooked up with an English guide and by 10 I was being taken around for a tour.
I really enjoyed the tour of the Colosseo although I don’t think 20 euro was worth it since I was unable to attend the tour of Palatine hill because I needed to be back for the Scavi tour. So, after the Colosseo tour was completed, which was very interesting and fact filled, I walked around Palatine hill myself. I took a ton of pictures, but have since forgotten what some of the pictures are of. I will have to Google search and find what I took pictures of.
Around 11:30ish I hopped back on the metro and retraced my steps back to St. Peter’s Square. I met up with Eldon and then with Nikki and we went on our Scavi tour. For some reason I thought it was a tour of the Catacombs. It wasn’t. It was a tour of the necropolis buried underneath St. Peter’s. We saw the old burial ground that Constantine buried and helped preserve for the future. We saw many familial tombs consisting of various religions including Christianity. We then saw St. Peter’s tomb, which is/was a hole in the ground. That’s all the early Christians were able to afford. Our guide told us of the six layers on top of Peter’s tomb. The early Christians built a monument on top of Peter’s grave, Constantine built a monument on top of the earlier monument, and two medieval rulers did the same, until you come to the present day altar seen in St. Peter’s Basilica. The tour was very interesting and fact filled. I really enjoyed it very much.
That night, we had only 8 people at dinner, including Bob and Allyson’s dad, Mike. It was a low-key, night with most of us calling it early do to leaving in the morning. Courtney, having moved into my room after Betsy left, was my new roommate. I packed my bags and went to bed early.
I really enjoyed the tour of the Colosseo although I don’t think 20 euro was worth it since I was unable to attend the tour of Palatine hill because I needed to be back for the Scavi tour. So, after the Colosseo tour was completed, which was very interesting and fact filled, I walked around Palatine hill myself. I took a ton of pictures, but have since forgotten what some of the pictures are of. I will have to Google search and find what I took pictures of.
Around 11:30ish I hopped back on the metro and retraced my steps back to St. Peter’s Square. I met up with Eldon and then with Nikki and we went on our Scavi tour. For some reason I thought it was a tour of the Catacombs. It wasn’t. It was a tour of the necropolis buried underneath St. Peter’s. We saw the old burial ground that Constantine buried and helped preserve for the future. We saw many familial tombs consisting of various religions including Christianity. We then saw St. Peter’s tomb, which is/was a hole in the ground. That’s all the early Christians were able to afford. Our guide told us of the six layers on top of Peter’s tomb. The early Christians built a monument on top of Peter’s grave, Constantine built a monument on top of the earlier monument, and two medieval rulers did the same, until you come to the present day altar seen in St. Peter’s Basilica. The tour was very interesting and fact filled. I really enjoyed it very much.
That night, we had only 8 people at dinner, including Bob and Allyson’s dad, Mike. It was a low-key, night with most of us calling it early do to leaving in the morning. Courtney, having moved into my room after Betsy left, was my new roommate. I packed my bags and went to bed early.
April 1, 2009
Today we got to see the Pope. There was a Papal audience at 10:30 in St. Peter’s Square. We got really good seats near the center aisle and were very close to the Pope-mobile when it came by. The whole thing took about 1 ½ hours total. First a reading from Mathew was done, in like multiple languages: French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, and English. Then the Pope did a little spiel. After his speech, each of the Bishops that read the reading in their respective language announced the various groups that were there today. So, all the big groups were announced and then the Pope would say the summary of his speech is that language. It was pretty cool. Even St. Mary’s was announced and we, of course, cheered. Overall it was an interesting experience.
God must have watching today because he held off the rain until after the whole thing was with and everyone was filing out. So, we all headed back to the hotel to regroup. I was going to go with Allyson and her dad, Mike, to the Colosseo today, but with the rain we decided to go tomorrow. They went, instead, to tour St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum. I went with the group to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Eldon and I then split from the group to go to The Fountain of Trevi, and to San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) church. I rode the metro again, tried to figure out how to take it to the airport, and then Eldon and I walked to the supermarket near the hotel.
The Fountain of Trevi is the most beautiful fountain of Rome and symbolizes the Baroque era. The fountain was completed in 1762 and inaugurated by Pope Clement XIII. The scenic effect is guaranteed by the small space of the surrounding square which serves as a theatre. The center statue represents Neptune and the side statues symbolize the abundance and the health that water has always given to the city of Rome.
The Pantheon, during classical antiquity, was a temple dedicated to all gods of pagan Rome. Marco Vipsanio Agrippa built it between 27 and 25 BC to celebrate his victory against the Persians. The original rectangular shape was modified after two fires when Adriano rebuilt it in a circular shape in AD 125. That is why it then became known as the ‘Rotunda’. In 608 AD it became a Christian church.
The Colosseo is the biggest amphitheatre ever built in the antiquity. It was started in 72 AD by the emperor Vespasiano of the Flavia family, that is why it’s also know as the ‘Amphitheatre Flavium.’ With its 50 meters high and its elegant architecture, it had a capacity of 55,000 spectators. Inside there were held gladiator duels and fantastic naval battles.
Most of the time we were walking around Roma today, it was raining. I’m glad Allyson and I didn’t go to the Colosseo because we would have been miserable as everything to see is not covered. I’m going to head there tomorrow morning before my Scavi tour with Eldon and Nikki. Then, the only other thing I really want to see is Saint Cecilia’s church.
I got a ton of pictures today: of the Pope, the audience, the various sights we saw, etc. I cannot wait to get internet to put them on facebook and my blog. I just hope it is not raining tomorrow and that everyone who’s leaving tomorrow travels safely.
God must have watching today because he held off the rain until after the whole thing was with and everyone was filing out. So, we all headed back to the hotel to regroup. I was going to go with Allyson and her dad, Mike, to the Colosseo today, but with the rain we decided to go tomorrow. They went, instead, to tour St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum. I went with the group to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Eldon and I then split from the group to go to The Fountain of Trevi, and to San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) church. I rode the metro again, tried to figure out how to take it to the airport, and then Eldon and I walked to the supermarket near the hotel.
The Fountain of Trevi is the most beautiful fountain of Rome and symbolizes the Baroque era. The fountain was completed in 1762 and inaugurated by Pope Clement XIII. The scenic effect is guaranteed by the small space of the surrounding square which serves as a theatre. The center statue represents Neptune and the side statues symbolize the abundance and the health that water has always given to the city of Rome.
The Pantheon, during classical antiquity, was a temple dedicated to all gods of pagan Rome. Marco Vipsanio Agrippa built it between 27 and 25 BC to celebrate his victory against the Persians. The original rectangular shape was modified after two fires when Adriano rebuilt it in a circular shape in AD 125. That is why it then became known as the ‘Rotunda’. In 608 AD it became a Christian church.
The Colosseo is the biggest amphitheatre ever built in the antiquity. It was started in 72 AD by the emperor Vespasiano of the Flavia family, that is why it’s also know as the ‘Amphitheatre Flavium.’ With its 50 meters high and its elegant architecture, it had a capacity of 55,000 spectators. Inside there were held gladiator duels and fantastic naval battles.
Most of the time we were walking around Roma today, it was raining. I’m glad Allyson and I didn’t go to the Colosseo because we would have been miserable as everything to see is not covered. I’m going to head there tomorrow morning before my Scavi tour with Eldon and Nikki. Then, the only other thing I really want to see is Saint Cecilia’s church.
I got a ton of pictures today: of the Pope, the audience, the various sights we saw, etc. I cannot wait to get internet to put them on facebook and my blog. I just hope it is not raining tomorrow and that everyone who’s leaving tomorrow travels safely.
March 31, 2009
We left Follonica the same way we arrived, in a flurry of suitcases trying not to be blown away by the wind. Instead of taking the train, we took a coach bus to Orvieto. The trip to Orvieto seemed to take forever; it also seemed like we were traveling back to Florence as I saw many signs say Siena and Firenze. But, as Bob explained to me later, we had to go that way to get onto the autostrade to take us to Orvieto.
Orvieto is a city situated on top of a plateau. When we arrived we had to walk a short way up an incline to our hotel. Our first night, Eldon checked out the churches and came back and told us that about a free concert being preformed. So, we went to the concert that night. It was completely amazing. The music was classical, one composition by Brahms; I can’t remember what the other piece was. But it was soooo good to listen to a concert; it brought back memories of my concerts. I guess that I miss playing in a band but the SMU band doesn’t seem as challenging as I would have wanted.
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was pretty blah because it was raining off and on most of the time. We went to see these underground caves that had some old artifacts from Etruscan/Roman time; it was pretty cool. Jill and I then walked all the way to the end of the plateau where there was a look-out point of sorts. By this time it was raining pretty steadily. We walked around this garden area, took a bunch of pictures, and then walked back to the hotel. I went to Mass on Sunday, in a side chapel in the Duomo. It was in Italian so I didn’t really understand much. I tried to translate but I couldn’t catch all the words. I pretty much just let the feeling run through me and didn’t really hear anything.
Monday, we took the cable car down to the lower part of the town, off the plateau, where we then took a train to Rome. We got off in Rome at the Roma Termini station where the group then split up. Bob gave us the option of taking a taxi, where he would pay half of the fair, or taking the metro. Four took the metro, including me, while the rest took a taxi. It was an interesting experience, taking the metro with my entire luggage, but we finally made it to our hotel after getting off the metro at the nearest spot and then walking past the Vatican and meeting up with Bob, on accident, near the hotel.
The hotel is a renovated nunnery. The rooms look like a freshman dorm and but it’s comfortable and very near the Vatican, just like a ten minute walk or so. Bob walked us around the Vatican after we dropped our luggage off and then we had dinner.
Tuesday, today, Ania and I went to see St. Peter’s Basilica. We first went underneath the basilica and saw some of the pope’s tombs, including that of Pope John Paul II’s tomb. It was very moving experience. There were a lot of teenagers there that didn’t seem to understand the significance of what they were seeing but one has to be committed to their faith in order to feel the deep spiritual aspect of the tour. We then went into the basilica and walked around. We saw Michelangelo’s Pieta along with a lot of other sculptures and paintings. It was an amazing sight to behold.
Afterwards, we went back to the hotel where we met up with Nikki and Bailey. We went with them to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. We got a discount at the ticket office by showing our ISIC cards, 8 euro instead of 14 euro. Anyway, we really wanted to see the Sistine Chapel so we headed that way first. One hour, multiple courtyards, numerous sculpture rooms, tapestries, paintings, and artifacts later, we finally made it to the Sistine Chapel. It was everything you thought it would be including a pain in the neck, literally. You had to crane you neck to see the ceiling and there were people all over the place it was so crowded. But we saw what we came to see and then found our way out of the museum.
Ania and I headed back to the hotel for a little rest. On the way we stopped and got gelato. Back at the hotel, after logging online for a bit, we went our separate ways. I met Allyson’s dad at one point, before dinner, when they headed out to see the city. Dinner was a fun affair as we listened to Mike’s many stories.
Orvieto is a city situated on top of a plateau. When we arrived we had to walk a short way up an incline to our hotel. Our first night, Eldon checked out the churches and came back and told us that about a free concert being preformed. So, we went to the concert that night. It was completely amazing. The music was classical, one composition by Brahms; I can’t remember what the other piece was. But it was soooo good to listen to a concert; it brought back memories of my concerts. I guess that I miss playing in a band but the SMU band doesn’t seem as challenging as I would have wanted.
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was pretty blah because it was raining off and on most of the time. We went to see these underground caves that had some old artifacts from Etruscan/Roman time; it was pretty cool. Jill and I then walked all the way to the end of the plateau where there was a look-out point of sorts. By this time it was raining pretty steadily. We walked around this garden area, took a bunch of pictures, and then walked back to the hotel. I went to Mass on Sunday, in a side chapel in the Duomo. It was in Italian so I didn’t really understand much. I tried to translate but I couldn’t catch all the words. I pretty much just let the feeling run through me and didn’t really hear anything.
Monday, we took the cable car down to the lower part of the town, off the plateau, where we then took a train to Rome. We got off in Rome at the Roma Termini station where the group then split up. Bob gave us the option of taking a taxi, where he would pay half of the fair, or taking the metro. Four took the metro, including me, while the rest took a taxi. It was an interesting experience, taking the metro with my entire luggage, but we finally made it to our hotel after getting off the metro at the nearest spot and then walking past the Vatican and meeting up with Bob, on accident, near the hotel.
The hotel is a renovated nunnery. The rooms look like a freshman dorm and but it’s comfortable and very near the Vatican, just like a ten minute walk or so. Bob walked us around the Vatican after we dropped our luggage off and then we had dinner.
Tuesday, today, Ania and I went to see St. Peter’s Basilica. We first went underneath the basilica and saw some of the pope’s tombs, including that of Pope John Paul II’s tomb. It was very moving experience. There were a lot of teenagers there that didn’t seem to understand the significance of what they were seeing but one has to be committed to their faith in order to feel the deep spiritual aspect of the tour. We then went into the basilica and walked around. We saw Michelangelo’s Pieta along with a lot of other sculptures and paintings. It was an amazing sight to behold.
Afterwards, we went back to the hotel where we met up with Nikki and Bailey. We went with them to the Vatican Museum to see the Sistine Chapel. We got a discount at the ticket office by showing our ISIC cards, 8 euro instead of 14 euro. Anyway, we really wanted to see the Sistine Chapel so we headed that way first. One hour, multiple courtyards, numerous sculpture rooms, tapestries, paintings, and artifacts later, we finally made it to the Sistine Chapel. It was everything you thought it would be including a pain in the neck, literally. You had to crane you neck to see the ceiling and there were people all over the place it was so crowded. But we saw what we came to see and then found our way out of the museum.
Ania and I headed back to the hotel for a little rest. On the way we stopped and got gelato. Back at the hotel, after logging online for a bit, we went our separate ways. I met Allyson’s dad at one point, before dinner, when they headed out to see the city. Dinner was a fun affair as we listened to Mike’s many stories.
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