Hello all! We are at an internet cafe here in Naples, Italy. We arrived last night from Rome and so far bought tour tickets to see Pompeii tomorrow morning and saw the Duomo where the Patron Saint Gerrano of Naples' head and vials of blood and bones are stored. Interesting and kinda gross too, huh?
Yesterday we were in Rome and did the whole Colosseum, Palotine Hill, and Piazza Navona. We pretty much saw all of Rome in 2 days time, excluding that we couldnt spend the appropriate time at each museum, which was unfortunate. On Saturday we did get to see the Sistine Chapel, which was almost a miracle in itself being that it closed at 12:20pm and we were in line for about .5 miles and got in at 12:15pm. We had just enough time to tiptoe with all the crowds towards the Sistine Chapel and stare in awe for 2.5 seconds until the guards started hauling everyone away. It was magnificent though, and so was St. Peter's Basilic. Some of you will be getting some really cool POPE poststamps from the Vatican post office too! =D
Naples so far is a pretty hustle-bustle place. The cars dont really stop for red lights or for pedestrians for that matter, and its kinda dirty and rushing all the time. We are right next to the train station, but still, so far not all that impressed. Our hostel has also been kinda shady, telling us that he cant accept credit cards even though the credit card stickers are up on his window. It says they have internet, but when I asked he said NO. That seems to be his favorite word really. And then last night when we ordered pizza, cuz apparently pizza was invented here in Naples, the waiter literally hovered over us as we paid and reminded us about his tip. WOW, talk about blunt!
Other things Ive noticed about Italy in general...
People dont pick up their dog's poop. It seems like everyone's got a small dog, but literally there is poo everywhere you walk. In fact, I was doing really good avoiding it until this morning when I stepped into a fresh pile waiting on the sidewalk for a tourist like me.
People ride their scooters like they're Hell's Angels or something, flying all over and around trucks, cars, peds, and sometimes with children huddling in front of them or with their girlfriends in the back text-messaging on their cell phones. In Marseille there were two scooters driving next to each other and trying to push each other off. It's all fun until someone falls and their brains get splattered on the floor.
And finally, so far in EUROPE in general, no one seems to find offense in STARING at other people. Just staring as we walk by! I wouldnt mind that so much, I can understand how a darker Asian girl with blond streaks speaking English can be unique, but the part I hate the most is when they try to be funny and 'talk in my language.' The first time that happened was actually at a club back in Madrid. As I headed to the bathroom someone looked at me and said, 'Nee How Mao!' I would have slugged the guy if I didnt have to pee so bad! Not only am I NOT Chinese, but he even pronounced the damn workds wrong! And then walking with Trisha (she's Japanese) someone else in Madrid said 'Conichi-wa.' Fine, at least he got the right ethnicity. And then this morning here in Naples, we were walking to the train station and 4 dumbasses wait until we pass to say 'Arigato.' Really?! Do I even look Japanese!? GOSH!
Anyway, enough venting. =) Its already starting to sprinkle a bit here in Naples, although Rome was beautiful and sunny yesterday. tomorrow Pompeii and then we actually head to Bari to take a ferry to Greece. Exciting! Thanks for reading guys!
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