People You Meet on Trains

I don't always have conversations with people sitting next to me on trains but when I do, I almost always enjoy it. I remember about a month ago I met a lady who was sitting with a slightly restless yet well-behaved dog. We started talking as she told me how her dog, a retriever I am guessing, with the most gorgeous coat of chocolate coloured fur, needed a wee. The lady, quite old herself, told me she was on her way to visit her grandmother! She then went on to tell me that she did acupuncture on animals. I didn't even know they did it for animals.

Conversations like this make me wonder how much I miss when I keep to myself on so many commutes. You so often only meet people in the same circles, say from work or school that you almost never meet people that do something entirely different. Not that I don't enjoy talking about what I do but something new is always refreshing.

More recently I met another lady while I was on my way to Cornwall. It was past midnight and she started off saying she caught the slow train by mistake and would now be late. Somewhere along the conversation she mentioned she was worried about getting home late only because she had 2 rescue dogs and she didn't want them to be left alone for too long. Gotta love dog people. She then noticed my cycle and asked me what my plans were. It is funny how when you see old people, you forget they could have once done what you enjoy doing. As I told her about my plans she studied my bike and noticed all the gears and told me how the bike she had didn't have any and one had to struggle while going uphill. She told me she enjoyed biking when she was in university but then had to give it up as she had to commute to work. She even understood what I did as she taught zoology and the conversation made my journey pass pretty quickly.

I don't know how but I always bond well with old people. I like to think I have a mature soul that connects with theirs.

Last Stop Naples- Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii

There are times when you feel you shouldn't have read something about a place before you got there. Something that gets you almost anxious about being there. Naples was one such place. Soon after we had completed our bookings and started talking to people about our plans, we were repeatedly asked about why we had chosen Naples and not Florence. Actually, we don't know. Anyway, we were told to be careful about getting mugged and basically got us worried about being there. Moreover, we read 2 books about Italy on our flight and during our train journeys and both told us how Naples was a place to be careful about. So naturally, we made sure we didn't have any shoulder bags hanging behind us and made sure we did all that one can do to make sure nobody picked our pockets.

We were all settled in the nice train and were wondering why we ever worried when it stopped at a station and something was announced in Italian and a lot of people started fetching their luggage and getting off the train. As we heard Napoli mentioned somewhere, after asking people sitting next to us, we kind of figured out that we needed to get off. After waiting at the platform where everybody else was, a second train came along and when we asked around and said Napoli they told us we should get on it. While the previous train was a tourist train, this was a local one. With our sunglasses, backpacks and shorts, we must have looked like tourists and got more attention that we would have liked. After getting thoroughly creeped out with people staring and seemingly talking about us, we finally reached Naples long after we were supposed to and not feeling much better about it.

I think it being late in the evening added to our nervousness during our journey to Naples as the whole place looked much more pleasant in the light of the day the next morning. We set off to see Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii on a train. From the station, we took a bus service that would take us up to the closest vehicle access point to the crater and bring us back after 2 hours or so. The view from the top was amazing with the clouds scudding by below us. One thing to remember is that it is a good idea to visit a restroom before you catch the bus as there are no toilets anywhere close to the Mount Vesuvius crater. There is actually a sign that tells you to go behind the bushes beyond the car park. They have souvenir shops around the top of the crater that sell little things made of what they claim to be volcanic rock. I was hoping to walk around it but as luck would have it, there was some strike that day, the reason for which we were not able to find out. Even the halfway around the crater gave us a good view of the crater and the land around it that it must have destroyed.

After visiting the crater, we went to visit the ruins of Pompeii. The facial expressions of the body casts show the horror that must have played out. The ruins of Pompeii don't fail to impress although the body casts bring to mind that it ended a lot of lives.

You get a glimpse of colour here and there. Make sure you buy an audio guide as it will explain a lot of things like where the market used to be and how they figured out from finding fish bones that it was a fish market, etc.

Although we didn't do much, walking around the ruins tired us out. Being the last day of our stay in Italy, we decided to have a hearty authentic Napoli pizza for dinner. I couldn't decide on the toppings and had one with a different one in each quarter. It was in Naples that we found out that authentic Italian pizzas don't have chicken toppings. Who would have known!

With that ended a successful 9 day trip and none of us lost anything! For a while after my memory card started getting filled up, I was almost paranoid about losing my pictures.

Rome and the Vatican in 3 days

We covered all of what we wanted to see in Rome and the Vatican in 3 Days. If you have a special interest in archaeology or art, it may take you longer. Much longer. We decided to cover the old Rome on Day 1 and the Vatican on Day 2 and the rest of what we missed on the third day. We bought a 3-Day Roma pass sold at the tobacco shop at the railway station which gave us free entry into 2 places and a discount on a number of others and also unlimited travel on the metro. I think we got back our money by the time we left Roma. We first used it in the Colosseum. Because of this Pass, we didn't have to wait in the long queue for tickets and got in within a couple of minutes. We spent ages on it taking pictures from various angles. The passages are a bit of a maze but we managed to get where we wanted to.

In the picture, you see that they have built a part of what used to be the floor. That was where all the action used to be. The cubicles you see under it is where the animals and the gladiators would be held.

After the Colosseum, we then headed to the Palatine Hill and the Forum. Turns out you are charged for one combined ticket for the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine on your Roma Pass. It is worth buying an audio guide as you would otherwise not know what you are looking at.

While we were in this area, we couldn't but notice a big white building at a distance with people on top of it and what looked like a viewing area.

After a few hours here, it was lunch time. After lunch, we walked up to the Capitoline Museum and found that it was closed on that particular weekday, the only time our internet research failed us. We then walked to the beautifully monstrous white building we had seen earlier and although it wasn't on our itinerary, couldn't pass by without looking at it.

It turned out to be the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. We went to what seemed like it's first floor viewing area but there was an option to take the lift to get a better view from the top of the building where we has seen people. So off I went and although it cost me about 7 euros, I was glad I did as I got a great view of the whole of Rome and even spotted the Cupola of the Vatican among many other Cupolas on the skyline. I also saw the noticeable big dome which turned out to be that of Pantheon which we visited later.

The closed Capitoline Museum gave us an extra couple of free hours so we just walked around to some piazzas like piazza Navona, Campo de fiori, piazza del Popola, and so on. Almost all of them have fountains in the middle that make a great spot to hang around.

We got a caricature done of the three of us. Don't know if I think it was worth the money as he only made one of us funny and the others just seem like sketches that didn't really resemble us. Sometime during this walk, we went into the Pantheon, after being greeted by a positively creepy fountain.

It was free to enter. The interior was very impressive. The dome I had seen earlier from the top of the National Museum was equally impressive from the inside.

We walked past the Spanish Steps and as we were tired we just sat there taking in the crowd, wondering how the girls were walking down the steps in high heels without tripping. We then walked towards the Trevi Fountain and it was still daylight and crowded. After a few minutes there, we decided to come back when it was dark and it did look better with the lights at night. We did the touristy thing of tossing coins into the fountain for luck or to return to Rome, the reason didn't matter.

The next day started with us leaving to the Vatican as we had a museum booking for 10 am. which again helped us skip the queue that seemed at least an hour long. We did feel bad for those waiting as it started to rain while we were walking towards the museum for which I think the prayers of all those selling umbrellas on the street are to be blamed. The immense collection in the museum will blow you away, especially the sculptures and the paintings. The Sistine Chapel is at the end of the museum and has an amazing painted ceiling. A lot of the impressive art is overhead so don't forget to look up.

The above picture is of the map room. The entire length has maps of various places on either side and a great ceiling. It is also a good idea to get an audio guide for yourself or download one of the podcasts. We didn't do either and I guess I will have to go back someday to know what I saw.

We then went to St. Peter's Basilica and climbed the Cupola. I never knew the dome had 2 layers with a staircase in between which we climbed. The view from the top was breathtaking and well worth the little trek up the stairs. However I wouldn't advice this to the aged, especially after being on one's feet all day long. I think there is an elevator one can use that comes up a certain level.

After enjoying the view from the top of the Cupola, we went into the church.

On the last day in Rome, we headed to the popular Borghese Gallery. If we hadn't booked a slot, we wouldn't have been able to get in as it was booked solid for a few days after we were there. If you plan to go to the Borghese gallery make sure you book in advance. It is just booking a slot and costs about a Euro and you will need to pay for your ticket when you visit. We had this covered by our Roma Pass. Every room of the gallery has information sheets that tell you about every exhibit so an audio guide isn't necessary in here. I found this very helpful and this was probably one of the displays where I knew what I was looking at. Photography isn't allowed in here which is disappointing. From there, we walked to the Castel Sant'Angelo. It is a very interesting castle with a cylindrical shape and something that you won't confuse with other castles you see.

That's a long account! Couldn't miss anything out, you see?

Next Stop: Naples for Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

When the earth quaked in Verona

Among the places I have seen in Italy(Venice, Verona, Rome and Naples), Verona is probably the one I would want to live in. Unlike Venice where people seemed to be tired of the crowd for which I don't blame them, Verona has a lot of happy looking people that would want to stop and chat. Although the area around the Arena and the squares was crowded, the moment you stepped out of it, it had a calm vibe to it. I am not sure exactly where we went but I think it was in between the Roman Theatre and the St. Peter's Castle or could be on the terraces of the St. Peter's Castle. Anyway, the view from there at night was breathtaking. There was some event going on in the Arena and it looked steam coming out of a boiling cauldron in the middle of the yellowish city lights.

Naturally, we visited the Juliet's balcony groped the statue for luck. The colourful locks covering every inch of the gate was interesting as was the graffiti covering every inch of every wall as high as one could reach and beyond not to mention all the chewing gum even a band-aid. Some of the graffiti was so high that it made us wonder how they had managed to do it without a step ladder.

We then went along to the Castelvecchio and other piazzas. After a nice calm evening, we retired to our lovely B&B at The Lions and were asleep as soon as we hit the bed only to be woken up at 4 am to what seemed like someone turning around in my bed without any creaking. It wasn't until my friend yelled out it's an earthquake that we realised that it was one. It lasted for a long time and we didn't really have much we could do as we were on the third floor and running down the stairs would just be silly. So we just off to sleep in a half and hour to be woken up by a second smaller tremor for which we didn't even get off the bed. So the next day started with a lot of talk about the earthquake. On the Day 2 at Verona, we visited the Lamberti Tower and the Arena.

The Arena is actually being used for events. although that takes away the look of an old building, it is nice that it is still safe enough to be used.

After a nice lunch, we thought we will relax at the B&B for a bit before we had to head out to the train station. It was while we were discussing the earthquake with the others in the house that we felt another tremor and that got us out of the house faster than anything else could.

2 Days in Venice

It's been over a month since I have been back from Italy and have finally found some time to write about my experience. Thought I should make it a place by place blog so here's about Venice. I set off with 2 of my friends for an 8 day trip to Italy and boy! were we organised. With all the accommodations, trains between cities and a few necessary entry tickets booked, we were as ready as we could be and were we glad! First stop Venice. Everything with the flight and the buses went smoothly. We even had a nice English gentleman tell a couple of men, trying to slip into the queue behind him and his wife but in front of us, that we were next. It was sweet to see how he couldn't stand by and watch someone do such a thing! Having never been to a city with no vehicles on the streets, Venice didn't fail to impress me. It did make me wonder what they'd do in case of an emergency. Apparently, they have water-ambulances. The Gondolas look very romantic especially with the Gondoliers singing as they row. We chose not to go for this as it would cost as much as 3 good dinners for each of us and well, it's only worth it if you go as a couple. After we dropped off our bags, we headed off to the St. Mark's Basilica. Thanks to pre-bookings, we didn't have to wait in, what looked like, an hour long queue. After that, we walked across to the Campanile tower. The 360 degree view from the top is impressive, so don't forget your cameras.

We spent a lot of time in Venice walking around and this is what you enjoy doing the most. You will see interesting balconies, little bridges connecting houses, thought provoking graffiti, a lot of gondolas passing under bridges, etc. For dinner on the first night, I tried the squid ink pasta and instantly loved it. I am craving for it at the moment, in fact. I also learnt the 'no-cheese-on-seafood-pasta' rule from the helpful waiter.

Venice, like all the other cities in Italy, has a lot of squares or what they call piazzas and we walked through a lot of them. After a while they all start looking alike and you will most definitely get lost. But you won't mind unless you have somewhere to be. It's best to just wander around and let yourself get lost as you can't get very lost, anyway. They have signs showing the nearest major attractions like the Rialto Bridge, San Marco(St. Mark's), and so on. If you know where these are, with respect to where you want to go, you can orient yourself quite easily. Rialto Bridge is great for shopping and looks great in pictures, what more can one ask for.

Visiting Islands in Venice- Murano, Burano and Torcello. On day 2, we thought we should take the water buses to the islands, Murano, Burano and Torcetto. You take a day ticket and you can ride the vaporetto(water-) buses all day long and they pass by all these islands. Murano is popular for it's glass. They have a lot of shops almost everything, glass. Burano is famous for it's lace and also for it's colourful houses. I wonder if they have a law to keep them from painting them with earthy tones. I am not complaining, they look wonderful. We visited a museum in Torcello and didn't get into the church as it said no shorts allowed. That's another thing we didn't consider on our visit to Italy. A lot of places, usually churches, have a rule against vests and shorts. So, it may be useful to carry a pair of leggings or a wraparound and a sleeved top to pull on when you enter. I mean leggings for girls, I am not encouraging cross-dressing, although I don't have a problem with it. To summarise, no shoulders, no knees.

Another interesting thing we learnt about Italy was that the tower of Pisa wasn't the only leaning tower. We noticed at least three in Venice and another one in Verona. They were not as spectacular as the one in Pisa but equally unsettling.

Day 3: Off to Verona

On the way to where all the roads lead.

For the past month, I and a couple of friends have been planning a trip to Italy. I will be leaving in 2 days and am most excited about Venice! I have a feeling it will be the best part of the trip. For the first time I am almost done with packing 2 days before departure. Even when I moved to the UK, I wasn't this prepared. Bless internet! Our itinerary is full to the brim with suggested places from all the blogs and reviews we have read.

Planning trips without the internet seems like an enormous job, involving finding stuff in books with no ctrl+F option. Ew. So 1996! Well, we on the other hand, have everything but walked the streets using google street view. That's where I draw the line. Anyway, hope it will be a great trip with plenty of great experiences, fun stories to tell, and with nobody losing passports, cameras or wallets.

They say ask and it shall be given. So, heap-loads of euphoria, please!

Image Source:http://krtson.com/totally/

BMW- Blank Canvas

I remember when our blackboards would be painted over at school after a holiday and we wouldn't want our teachers to write on them. Kids with markers too big for their hands here in Maidenhead, however, showed no mercy on this BMW displayed as a part of the 'Art on the Street'.