IAESTE Cool Prague challenge

geneva~!!

Venice and a new house!

back from Zurich!

fun weekend...
so i no longer arrived in klagenfurt at wee hours of the night. Today it was 6:48am, via the train to wien.. same one that i took in early june.

The sleeping ride to villach was not that great considering the couple and the two older ladies won't shut up and the ventilation sucked again.

Good thing was the windows to the train at least opened so that i didn't suffocate
going to shower and change now and get to work early today :)

should be fun.

will post about zurich later

roma, italia....

finally got time to blog...

ROMA, ITALIA

Friday June 29, 2007

Trip to Rome.

So having stayed a bit later at work today, knowing that I wont’ be coming in on Monday, I went home and made food, took a nap and woke up just in time for the train ride. This week, as I felt better about walking in the dark to the train station, I took my normal route. It was not that bad, and the train was actually 15 minutes late. I was actually getting a sleeper in a 3 bed ladies room on train. It was rather nice since I was getting in with an elder lady and a younger girl at the same stop. I was assigned the bed at the very top so it had much more privacy. They were travelling to Florence to a town in between Florence and Rome to have an intensive crash course in Italian (the elder lady’s name is also Ada and she loved Hong Kong she said). Anyways, I went to bed right away in my comfy bed like configuration, with a full sized pillow and a soft blanket. I woke up at about 8am in the morning to get my breakfast served by the conductor – a cappuccino, a juice pack, a cake pack. It was pretty good and I decided to get dressed and go back to bed (it’s a private room so you can actually lock and everything and change into your night gowns if you really want to). I had the entire compartment to myself since the other two got off already, and it was quite nice.

Saturday June 30, 2007

At about 9:30am, I arrived at the eternal city. After strapping my backpack and all my belongings securely onto myself, I stepped into the Stationze Termini. It was actually a huge station, attached to a very modern mall, which I was surprised about since there were so many stories of it being very “sketchy” (like Florence’s SMN). But you can tell that all the shops there are on high security, equipped with all the anti-theft devices and security cameras. I walked around to try to buy my Roma Pass, which cost 20 euro and entitles me to skip lines and enter free for my first two attraction (colosseum 11.50 and whatever else) and discounts in other museums and also free transportation for 72 hours. Since I was staying for 72 hours, it made a lot of sense for me to get it. After asking around for a few times and locating tourist information, I left the station to begin walking towards my hostel, funny palace hostel. It is tucked away in the corner of the street but very close to the station. Mabri, the owner operates an internet point and laundry just underneath the hostel (which is super smart) and he was great at showing me what to do for the days. After checking in my bag to luggage storage, I headed out to visit the colosseum and ancient Rome area of Rome.

Taking an about 10-15 minute walk (since I’m still scared of the busses and pickpockets), I finally arrived at the Colosseum, the emblem of Rome. It was definitely a moment of excitement, that’s over 2000 years of history standing in front of me. I walked right through the line that was rounding the Colosseum a few times, and went right in with my Roma pass (worthy investment). Inside, it was like I’ve completely travelled back in time. The Colosseum was built in 80 A.D also called the Flavian Ampitheatre. It was a 3-tier ring structures that took 8 years to built and lot of workers to build it. It could sit up to 50000 spectators, ranging from emperors seats, best of virgins seats, royalty and then standing rooms in the nosebleed section.

The underground maze area where they built elevators and gates for animals and slaves were also very impressive. And then, the guides (well other people’s guides) said that it was most impressive when they flooded the underground area to create a type of water arena for sea battles and stuff. There were staircases that led to nowhere, because of the wear and tear and damages from the natural disaster and some of the outer tier has fallen off. (earthquakes)

I was completely in awe and wanted to stay there and just absorb the history for a long time. After visiting the Colosseum, I was waved over by a gladiator person and took a picture with him. It was OK, but the thing that pissed me off was that they don’t tell you there’s a charge until afterwards. The guy was trying to get me to pay him 5 euros.. but I knew in Italy you can always haggle, so I took it down to 2. Anyways, I was kinda pissed off at how stupid I was, until I saw another tourist couple dish out a 10 euro bill to another gladiator guy. At that point, I was like wow. Apparently they are known to be able to rip tourist off to up to 100 euros. After visiting the Colosseum, I walked over to the Palatine hill, one of the seven ancient hills that Rome was built on and also contained the palace ruins. I wandered through the maze of ruins, taking pictures and staring at ancient architecture and then ended up at the southern end of the complex, where I took a detour to take a look at the Circus Maximus. Then it was back to the area where the Roman Forum was. Again all the things that I learned back in Grade 10 Ancient Civ came back and it was just so fascinating to look at the ruins. Fallen pillars, rocks, ancient building, just to name a few. Just to imagine, thousands of years ago, this was where life was and this was where civilization was. That to me, was just a magnificent feeling, to be standing at the same spot where so much culture was born.

Navigating through the ruins, I walked up the staircases to the capitolini Hill and went to the Capitoline museum (musei capitolini). The piazza surrounded by three buildings was designed by Michaelangelo and housed a collection of sculpture and art. What I liked most about it was actually the collection of ancient rocks with inscription of it about Roman lifestyle that was housed at the underground passage way that connected the two buildings. It was just fascinating for me to learn about lifestyle of ancient people.

After the Capitoline museum visit, I went up the monument building for Vittorio Emmanuel at the Piazza Venezia. It was a war memorial building made of white marbles that resembles a wedding cake (my friend also called it Italian typewriter). It was a very nice building, very strong presence and has bronze horses pulling chariots at the top that is 12 m long (the horse alone). Truly impressive. The view of central Rome from the top was also very nice. It was funny because Italian police will blow their whistles at you if you misbehave. Since this was a war memorial (I think it contains a tomb) you were not allowed to sit or lie down on the steps. But because sitting down gives you a much better vintage point for pictures, everybody does it. You will hear whistles when that happens and the Italian police will run towards you. Oh also notable is the fact that there are Italian soldiers wearing sailor uniforms, carrying machine guns that stand by a memorial wreath just under the statue of the emperor. They stand there all the time I think, because we saw them again at night.

After my visit to Piazza venezia, I walked up via de corso and visited the famous Trevi Fountain. It was so crowded mid day, and after getting a gelato, I sat there and just looked at the fountain. It was very nice. Apparently the materials again was taken from the Colosseum and the fountain was built in the Baroque style at the end point of their famous aqueducts. Of course, I threw my share of coins into the fountain, so that means I’ll be returning to rome! Legend has it if you throw one coin over your shoulder, then you will return to Rome, two coins ensure a marriage and three will lead to a divorce…

Anyways, what fascinated me was how tucked away this attraction is, it was surrounded by streets (narrow ones) and gelato and cafes. No open piazzas nothing. I then walked up the via corso some more in search of the famous high end shopping street that leads to the Spanish steps. Walking by stores like Burberry, Armani, Ferragamo, Valentino, Versace, Prada, Gucci, LV, Bulgari, Dior, you name it! It was crazy. Everyone was visiting the stores, bell boys opened doors. I ended up going into Prada just to check it out and it was a good thing I did, because I found the perfect view of the steps from one of their windows on the second floor, hence I took a picture (after asking for permission of course). Anyways, it was very crowded again at the steps, and apparently it was built to connect the piazza to the church at the top of the hill.

After the Spanish Steps, I walked down another hill (lots of hills in Rome) towards the Barbernini Piazza and took a look at the fountain by Bernini. Barbarini was a famous pope I think. Anyways, after visiting the fountain and the piazza, I decided my legs were too tired to continue and went to brave the Rome metro system. I arrived back at the station Termini safe and sound.

Met a guy from Sweden and went to grab something to eat at a near by restaurant. Had sphagetti carbonara, a rome specialty in the tourist portion. Chatted with an elderly couple from Great Britain, and waited forever for the waiter to give us the bill. Because they took forever, I actually went and missed the bus driver that came to get me from the bus tour (pick up time 7:35 to 7:55, I got back at 7:30 and he already left). The girl, Claudia from Denmark (super nice) at the hostel was saying that was really strange because Italian is always late. My phone once again didn’t work in the Italian network, so she lent me hers and I got through and got someone to come get me, which was nice of them.

The Night tour operated by Odyssey tour was one of panoramic one. It was a bit pricey considering we didn’t really stop anywhere except at the trevi fountain (which I saw already) and the tour guide spoke in English german and French (which was a bit confusing, although I should be able to understand if not all, then at least 2) There was quite a bit of information, and we did see the colosseum, palatine hill, circus maximus, castel s tangelo, st peters went up the hill of ginnocoli (near vatican) at night, which I wouldn’t be able to do if I was walking and travelling alone.

It was a good 2 hour bus trip, haven’t been on a bus for awhile, so it was an interesting experience. I was so exhausted by the end of the night that I went right to bed with some really rowdy neighbour next door. Good thing the room was not too hot.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Since I’ve seen quite a bit of things on Saturday, I decided that one way or another I will go shopping. And because I was afraid of the crowd and things that could happen at the flea market, I decided to take the free shuttle to castel romano, the rome outlet shopping place. Checked out of Funny palace bright and early at about 8, I walked over to Gulliver and checked in. After checking in, I found where the bus was picking us up (near the church at piazza republica) and after 40 minutes in suburb Rome (which looks a lot like the US) we arrived at the shopping center. So what I’ve discovered there was, what Italian considers as outlet is very different than the north American definition. In all honesty I was a bit disappointed at some of the deals and prices that I saw there. Then again it was alright since I wasn’t there to shop till I drop or shop till I was bankrupt. I just went around and checked things out. Went into D&G, Valentino (where there was a dress marked down to 2139 euro!) like omg.. D&G’s dressing rooms are super nice. Anyways, so I had my share of an eye opening experience and good thing I was prepared, and brought postcards along to be written.

When I got back to Rome, which was about 4pm, I went and moved my stuff to the new hostel and went out to wander again. Wanted to see if I can catch the pantheon before it closed, but it was too far of a walk for me to make it on time. So instead I went to hang out at the Trevi Fountain, and looked for a good place to have dinner. I ended up having two gelatos as this Italian guy tried to pick me up (gross) anyways. Enough of that, had a salad like piece of pizza and walked back to the hostel thinking to call it an early night. But when I got back, I met two Canadians, Julianne from Ottawa and Kelsey from Vancouver, they had plans to go to Campo Di Fiori for a nice dinner and I decided to join in. Afterall it was Canada Day Celebration in Rome! Heh

So we ended up in a very nice piazza where there were street musicians, mimes, and you name it. At an open café, we had a nice dinner, and me also a traditional Italian tiramisu (sooo yummy). After dinner, we decided to wander for a bit, and saw the piazza navona at night time and also the pantheon. They were heading to Pompeii the next day and I early to line up at the Vatican so we decided to call it an early night.

A bunch of guys from Philadelphia in our dorm room took my advice and went to the pasta course place that jasper recommended out in the middle of nowhere. So it did exist! Maybe I should try to go there the next time im in rome when I’m travelling with someone J

Monday July 2, 2007

Vatican City

As per the advice of my new friends from the hostel, I woke up bright and early on Monday and took the metro to Ottaviano station and walked towards the entrance to the Vatican Museum. Upon arrival, at 7:30am, there was already a huge line in front of me consisted of tour groups and all kinds of tourists. The museum wasn’t even due to open until 10am, and that really shows you the amount of flow of people that visit the Vatican in a day. I waited with a girl from Argentina and we chatted for a bit. In between vendors came by to sell their shawls, umbrellas funny looking hats, water and postcards. I was tempted to buy some postcards and start writing them but they are of Rome and the Vatican when I really just wanted Vatican ones. (Ya I was picky, well just didn’t think that it’ll make sense to send a postcard from the Vatican of rome’s buildings).

Anyways, at about 10:10am, I got into the line ups to get security screening, then another one to get tickets inside the Vatican museum, and then it was another line up to feed your ticket through. After lots of line ups and picking up a guide book, I began my visit in the museum with the largest and most expensive collection in the world. Touring through the Egyptian collection (it was soo good, loved it), the etrusian (went through I it quickly), greek busts (of Sophocles, Aristotle (I forgot his name at the time) plato, etc)) and then more sculptures and paintings. Finally through the room of the tapestries (wasn’t that interesting) and the room of the maps (loved it) and then Ralphaels room (loved loved it, with his paintings of poetry, knowledge theology and justice) and into the famous Sistine Chapel (flooded with people) and stared at the last judgement, the ceiling depicting the story of genesis and all kinds of pictures of the pope on the side by Michaelangelo.

I spent about 2 -3 hours inside the museum before coming out to yet another line at St Peters (the line at this point to the museum is just as long as before if not longer). Went through the basilica and it was so just wonderfully built. Designed by Bernini and the dome was later added on by Michaelangelo. It was beautiful. The design was like two arms and embraces any visitors that come in to visit, and in return accepting all of mankind! Statues that are about the height of a person lined the piazza, they are of saints and of other important biblical people. I went right to the line to get up to the cupola. Met two girls from somewhere in the US, Tasha and Claire and we kept each other entertained in line (which was a bit of a long wait). We walked up the 550 steps to the top of the dome and looked out into the Vatican and Rome and most importantly the basilica. The sight was great, it was just so good, except of the rain, but minor detail.

We came back down right into the Cathedral, it was massive, and because there was no sun, I couldn’t experience the light rays shining through which was a bummer. There was all kinds of niche and chapels dedicated to important popes and memorials for other things. A treasury was also available for visit. There were preserved bodies of popes and also the memorial in the center where St Peter’s remains rested. One of the more cool statues that caught my eyes actually had a goddess stepping on the globe, and from one of the guides, apparently she was stepping right on England! So much symbolism and patriotism built into these work of arts.

Anyways, I also went to touch St Peter’s feet like everyone else did to be blessed J After that I decided to take a walk back and try to catch the Pantheon to wrap up my visit at Rome. I got an audio guide when I got into the Pantheon and believe me that was a worthy investment. There were quite a bit of memorials and tombs dedicated to important emperors and Ralphael himself in the Pantheon. The building itself was also another point of fascination. A diameter of 49m and 9m in the opening, and the fact that you can form a perfect sphere since the height of the cylinder is equal to the radius. It’s still a mystery on how they were able to built this structure so many years ago (they are celebrating its 1400 birthday in 2009) and how it still remains standing.

Apparenlty I was also told that the cylinder built up of alternating trapezoid and semicircular niches and supporting beams and pillars inspired bernini’s design at St peter’s bascillica.

Anyways, it was good, and I went back to the hostel, met a girl from Texas (a Katie) and a Danielle from Edmonton and we went out to grab food. We had a great dinner and I had to run to the station to catch my train ride back to Klagenfurt!

Rome!! half way point-!

So survived half way of my rome trip... one and a bit more day to go.. *fingers crossed* and that i'll survived
oh also to come home to a working laptop!! pls pls!!!