Visit the Canadian Embassy. They're really nice, (obviously). As if I don't spend enough time in self reflection the embassy made me write it out on paper. Every date, address and job over the past seven years! I highly recommend you do this and see how you feel after, besides headachy.
Despite a few non-alcoholic induced hiccups I'm happy I had the chance to spend five days in Italy. I had great weather, some really great food and Italy was the first place where I felt like a foreigner, and it's good to be a minority sometimes I think to keep you right.
I landed in Pisa. The air was warm which was a definite contrast to the cool Belfast airport air. I suggest only dedicating half a day to Pisa. It's amazing and slightly uncomfortable to see the Leaning Tower in person.
The following day I took a short train trip to Lucca it was in my tour book and I was lucky enough to stumble across the main attraction due to my extremely strong sense of direction. Ha ha! Then I secretly shadowed English speaking walking tour guides to see the rest, only slightly creepy I'm sure.
A bit of a detour as me and my passport parted ways around this point so I'm on the 5:45 am train to Rome! (PS, I have no love for that place.) I'll spare the 'humourous' details of my misfortunes that day which makes me wonder why when really shitty things happen people say, "Oh, one day you'll look back at all that and laugh!" I'm pretty sure I'll still be bitter but slightly smarter for it.
The only attraction I saw in Rome was a cardboard cut out of a Canadian Mountain Police saluting me. I can't remember the last time I saw one in person but felt oddly comforted by this none-the-less.
Um, a bit of interesting things I took with me from Rome (besides my Temporary Passport). People park in intersections. Seriously; leaving just enough room for a car to inch through if they so need to. And the homeless people that I did see were heartbreaking, they were about as old as the buildings I couldn't help but think about my granny sitting out there begging for money, (she'd probably be lecturing people too though with her crazy stories).
I made it in time to catch the last train to Florence! I love Florence, I could live there. Despite all the American tourists I really enjoyed the busyness and beauty this easily accessible city offered. AND FOOD! I finally had a chance to relax, eat and enjoy some vino.
I found this local gem recommended by a girl from my awesome Pisa hostel right outside the tower to visit this place called Trattoria Mario just around the corner from The Duomo Group, which is also a new odd obsession I’ve developed. It's stunning. Anyways, the food was amazing. Everyone sat with anyone and the staff were climbing over tables to take orders and deliver food. You know the food had to be good, right? My over-stuffed ravioli was silky and fresh and salty. I'll dream of it. The steaks looked like a religious experience and apparently that's what they're known for, if you're into steaks.
Later that night I found myself at an outdoor Ristoronte enjoying the best bruschetta in life. It was fresh, silky, salty, garlicky and crusty, don't-even-talk-to-me I'm eatting good! My Spaghetti tomato basil was delish too but a tad too salty... their noodles are much thinner than any I've had before and that was good. I also enjoyed three gelato's in Italy that I wanted to enjoy more than I did but how can ice cream be bad, really?
Of course my trip wouldn't be complete without being fingerprinted and mug shot by the UK Border control. Now, I did crack a smile when I was getting fingerprinted but that's another blog!
Despite a few non-alcoholic induced hiccups I'm happy I had the chance to spend five days in Italy. I had great weather, some really great food and Italy was the first place where I felt like a foreigner, and it's good to be a minority sometimes I think to keep you right.
I landed in Pisa. The air was warm which was a definite contrast to the cool Belfast airport air. I suggest only dedicating half a day to Pisa. It's amazing and slightly uncomfortable to see the Leaning Tower in person.
The following day I took a short train trip to Lucca it was in my tour book and I was lucky enough to stumble across the main attraction due to my extremely strong sense of direction. Ha ha! Then I secretly shadowed English speaking walking tour guides to see the rest, only slightly creepy I'm sure.
A bit of a detour as me and my passport parted ways around this point so I'm on the 5:45 am train to Rome! (PS, I have no love for that place.) I'll spare the 'humourous' details of my misfortunes that day which makes me wonder why when really shitty things happen people say, "Oh, one day you'll look back at all that and laugh!" I'm pretty sure I'll still be bitter but slightly smarter for it.
The only attraction I saw in Rome was a cardboard cut out of a Canadian Mountain Police saluting me. I can't remember the last time I saw one in person but felt oddly comforted by this none-the-less.
Um, a bit of interesting things I took with me from Rome (besides my Temporary Passport). People park in intersections. Seriously; leaving just enough room for a car to inch through if they so need to. And the homeless people that I did see were heartbreaking, they were about as old as the buildings I couldn't help but think about my granny sitting out there begging for money, (she'd probably be lecturing people too though with her crazy stories).
I made it in time to catch the last train to Florence! I love Florence, I could live there. Despite all the American tourists I really enjoyed the busyness and beauty this easily accessible city offered. AND FOOD! I finally had a chance to relax, eat and enjoy some vino.
I found this local gem recommended by a girl from my awesome Pisa hostel right outside the tower to visit this place called Trattoria Mario just around the corner from The Duomo Group, which is also a new odd obsession I’ve developed. It's stunning. Anyways, the food was amazing. Everyone sat with anyone and the staff were climbing over tables to take orders and deliver food. You know the food had to be good, right? My over-stuffed ravioli was silky and fresh and salty. I'll dream of it. The steaks looked like a religious experience and apparently that's what they're known for, if you're into steaks.
Later that night I found myself at an outdoor Ristoronte enjoying the best bruschetta in life. It was fresh, silky, salty, garlicky and crusty, don't-even-talk-to-me I'm eatting good! My Spaghetti tomato basil was delish too but a tad too salty... their noodles are much thinner than any I've had before and that was good. I also enjoyed three gelato's in Italy that I wanted to enjoy more than I did but how can ice cream be bad, really?
Of course my trip wouldn't be complete without being fingerprinted and mug shot by the UK Border control. Now, I did crack a smile when I was getting fingerprinted but that's another blog!
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