After our adventures in Rome, we set off for Venice, travelling by Ryanair. Ryanair does not reserve seats, so any Ryanair flight involves a scrum as people run to the plane to get the best seat (apparently, there's a difference!). Surviving the scrum, we managed to get seats together and away we went.
Upon landing, we noticed it was very foggy and even more excitingly, snowing! We got on the bus to Mestre train station. When we booked accommodation for Venice, we got a great deal at a hotel in Mestre, far cheaper than youth hostels, which is about 10 min by bus from the island of Venice. I was initially concerned about staying on the mainland, but we were soon to be rewarded for this as we got off the bus at the Mestre station. After a fair bit of confusion, we found the bus to take us to the hotel, which dropped us off at Piazzo Ferreto, a nearby square. It was absolutely magical, all lit up with Christmas decorations, foggy and covered in a thin layer of snow. After the confusion about where to go and how to get there, this sight made staying in Mestre worth it. We then got another surprise as we got to our very nice hotel- they upgraded us to single rooms each as they were out of twins (at no extra cost). And the bus to Venice left from outside the hotel, every 10 minutes during the day and every half an hour from 11pm till the morning.
The next day we set off to venice at 1st light in order to make the most of our limited time there (after our buffet breakfast included in our hotel deal!) there was still plenty of snow around, and we spent about 10 hours wandering. Despite it being freezing (I had to buy another pair of socks)
we had a fantastic day, wandering without a map, peeking into shops and meeting locals and tourist alike. As well as finding the only Beatles shop in Italy, we saw gorgeous lacework, great cafes and lots of Murano glass. We also met and had a long chat to the photographer for the venetian paper, whoe father's photographs of celebrities such as george Cloony, Nicole Kidman etc adorned the walls (from the Venice film festival). He owns 2 photography shops open 9-7:30pm and does the newspaper photography, working 7 days a week.
We decided to do the tourist thing and go on a gondola ride, but when we found out how much it was decided against it. As we were walking away a brazilian couple in their 50s or 60s asked us how much it cost and on a whim I asked them if they wanted to split the cost. After some discussion, they were keen. The next gondelier asked a higher price than the previous one, but the combined bargaining powers of Jarnie and Anneke meant we got it cheaply!
Before I go, another few observations about Italy: there is a very prominent military prescence, with all sorts of forms of armed forces and police everywhere, guarding embassies with their machine guns, wandering around the streets and sitting on street corners. They all have very smart uniforms.
Italians were very friendly to us when we mangled their language. After learning Buon Anno, we said it to everyone we met. One lady, in the supermarket, practically hugged us as she smiled a huge smile and said 'bellisimo'.
Anyway, running out of time at the internet cafe.
Ciao,
Anneke
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
When in rome....
Buon Anno from Roma!
This is a tale of Vespers and Popes in the city of vespas and gropes.
December 31 in Rome was chilly but the sun was shining as we set off to the Colosseum, having arrived there too late the previous day. After dodging the men dressed as gladiators we made in inside and stood in awe at the history inside. Highlights included seeing the names of senators inscribed upon the seats in which they once sat and the corporate boxes of the Roman world! We also met a cat who seemed to live there!
Following our time at the Colosseum we set off for the Vatican. Intending to get the bus, we wandered round the Circus Maximus to the bus stop- circo massimus is now a popular place to walk dogs and jog. As we missed the bus we set off on foot to the Vatican. We wandered along the Tiber, which was full of litter including trees absolutely covered by plastic bags. We made it to the Vatican and found out that because it was New Years Eve, entrance to the museums and Sistine Chapel would close at 1pm. As it was 12:40 at the time, we sprinted about 1km to the back of the Vatican and were amongst the last 10 people admitted to the museums (we were allowed to stay till 3). To get to the Sistine Chapel, we had to go through dozens of rooms, all extravagently decorated with various themes. My favourite room was what Jarnie and I have dubbed the map room- a long narrow room, it had intricate maps on the walls and an amazingly decorated room, with gold everywhere!
After a while, the rooms became a bit tedious, with so many great works of art and lavish decorations. We then got diverted to a bit of scaffolding over the carpark (they are renovating at the moment), which actually allowed us to appreciate the rooms a lot better!
The Sistine Chapel was absolutely full of people, talking, taking photos and just staring at the roof and walls. Throughout it were guards yelling 'no fot' (no photo), but it seems few people were listening! We saw the 'creation of man' painting on the roof, which is famous but actually blended in with all the others, so it took some time to find it!
After the Sistine Chapel, we decided to head to St Peter's Basilica. We waited in a line for some time before finding out it was a line for Vespers with the Pope for New Years Eve. Unfortunately, we were told, whilst the tickets were free, they were booked out 2 months ago. However, some friendly texan priests we befriended suggested that groups often had 1 or 2 spares. The hunt for tickets had begun.
We made many friends with various priests and nuns on our hunt for tickets. Jarnie would go up to a group and act ignorant of the process, asking if they knew were to get tickets. Our first group, of priests and Catholic scholars were also from Texas, and gave us hints on how to get some. They were so lovely, they gave us a ticket for mass the next day and the tour leader gave us her business card. We then went up and down the line, meeting Italian nuns, Indonesian nuns who spoke Spanish, and a group of gynacologists/priests from the US who had 2 spare tickets to Vespers. By this time the line of people with tickets was huge, so we went back to our friends from Texas to return their mass ticket (as they only had 1) and asked them if we could sit with them. We were thus adopted!
Their tour leader had done this for 30 years, so she knew what she was doing. Thus we ended up sitting about 1 metre from the centre aisle, so the Pope walked straight past us on his processional! In the meantime, we had befriended the Italian family behind us, as their gorgeous daughters Flavia, 6 and Adriana, 13, were thrilled at the idea of praticising their English. They had another daughter sitting behind as so all three were clamouring over us, fighting to get a word in. Adriana's English was fantastic- espcially when she told us her cooking was a disaster! They were from a small rural town and were thrilled to be seeing Il Pappa, and Adriana was so excited she got to touch him!
Vespers was conducted in Latin, with an Italian translation. I was surprised at the fact that everyone was taking photos, talking amongst themselves and so on.
After the service, the Pope went out the front of the Vatican to kiss babies and pray in front of the nativity scene, as the costumed Swiss Guards played Christmas Carols. We had intended to go to the Colosseum for the countdown, but never made it there. All in all, a unique New Years!
This is a tale of Vespers and Popes in the city of vespas and gropes.
December 31 in Rome was chilly but the sun was shining as we set off to the Colosseum, having arrived there too late the previous day. After dodging the men dressed as gladiators we made in inside and stood in awe at the history inside. Highlights included seeing the names of senators inscribed upon the seats in which they once sat and the corporate boxes of the Roman world! We also met a cat who seemed to live there!
Following our time at the Colosseum we set off for the Vatican. Intending to get the bus, we wandered round the Circus Maximus to the bus stop- circo massimus is now a popular place to walk dogs and jog. As we missed the bus we set off on foot to the Vatican. We wandered along the Tiber, which was full of litter including trees absolutely covered by plastic bags. We made it to the Vatican and found out that because it was New Years Eve, entrance to the museums and Sistine Chapel would close at 1pm. As it was 12:40 at the time, we sprinted about 1km to the back of the Vatican and were amongst the last 10 people admitted to the museums (we were allowed to stay till 3). To get to the Sistine Chapel, we had to go through dozens of rooms, all extravagently decorated with various themes. My favourite room was what Jarnie and I have dubbed the map room- a long narrow room, it had intricate maps on the walls and an amazingly decorated room, with gold everywhere!
After a while, the rooms became a bit tedious, with so many great works of art and lavish decorations. We then got diverted to a bit of scaffolding over the carpark (they are renovating at the moment), which actually allowed us to appreciate the rooms a lot better!
The Sistine Chapel was absolutely full of people, talking, taking photos and just staring at the roof and walls. Throughout it were guards yelling 'no fot' (no photo), but it seems few people were listening! We saw the 'creation of man' painting on the roof, which is famous but actually blended in with all the others, so it took some time to find it!
After the Sistine Chapel, we decided to head to St Peter's Basilica. We waited in a line for some time before finding out it was a line for Vespers with the Pope for New Years Eve. Unfortunately, we were told, whilst the tickets were free, they were booked out 2 months ago. However, some friendly texan priests we befriended suggested that groups often had 1 or 2 spares. The hunt for tickets had begun.
We made many friends with various priests and nuns on our hunt for tickets. Jarnie would go up to a group and act ignorant of the process, asking if they knew were to get tickets. Our first group, of priests and Catholic scholars were also from Texas, and gave us hints on how to get some. They were so lovely, they gave us a ticket for mass the next day and the tour leader gave us her business card. We then went up and down the line, meeting Italian nuns, Indonesian nuns who spoke Spanish, and a group of gynacologists/priests from the US who had 2 spare tickets to Vespers. By this time the line of people with tickets was huge, so we went back to our friends from Texas to return their mass ticket (as they only had 1) and asked them if we could sit with them. We were thus adopted!
Their tour leader had done this for 30 years, so she knew what she was doing. Thus we ended up sitting about 1 metre from the centre aisle, so the Pope walked straight past us on his processional! In the meantime, we had befriended the Italian family behind us, as their gorgeous daughters Flavia, 6 and Adriana, 13, were thrilled at the idea of praticising their English. They had another daughter sitting behind as so all three were clamouring over us, fighting to get a word in. Adriana's English was fantastic- espcially when she told us her cooking was a disaster! They were from a small rural town and were thrilled to be seeing Il Pappa, and Adriana was so excited she got to touch him!
Vespers was conducted in Latin, with an Italian translation. I was surprised at the fact that everyone was taking photos, talking amongst themselves and so on.
After the service, the Pope went out the front of the Vatican to kiss babies and pray in front of the nativity scene, as the costumed Swiss Guards played Christmas Carols. We had intended to go to the Colosseum for the countdown, but never made it there. All in all, a unique New Years!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Arrived in Rome
Greetings from Roma!
I arrived in England on Sunday night, after a very long trip from Adelaide-Melboure-Singapore-London-Cambridge. Luckily, Jarnie (the friend I am travelling with) and I arrived in Cambridge in the evening, allowing us to fall straight into bed and wake up the next day at a decent hour. The temperature (3 degrees upon arrival) was a bit of a shock!
We set off from Cambridge to Stansted airport, where we got on a flight to Rome. I say this as if it was a simple act, however, we may have gotten a bit cuaght up in the shopping within the departure area as we suddenly looked at our watch and realised we had 5 minutes until the boarding stopped! The 600 metre dash has never been done so quickly! However, we arrived (in time) to find our flight had been delayed.
Arriving in Rome was very exciting, we could see everything from the air. Luckily it was a bit warmer here as well (though not much). The bus into town gave us some insight into Italy- reckless driving in tiny cars, very public displays of affection, vespas and motor bikes everywhere and quite narrow cobbled roads. Also, the juxtaposition of historical sites next to more modern buildings, car parks and the like.
After a great dinner of gnocchi followed by gelati, ordered in my very simple primary school Italian, we set off back to the hotel, just near termini station.
Included in our room rate was a voucher for breakfast from the local coffee bar, which is quite Italian- cafe latte and a pastry eg chocolate croissant. We had a massive day of sight seeing, first on a bus that gave us a tour of the city, then on foot, finding amazing churches hidden behind innocuos doorways, shops selling priests robes for all occasions and the Trevi fountain, where we ensured our return to Rome. Dinner was in a simple cafe, where we were served 3 different types of bread we hadn't ordered- and then charged for it!
Happy New year to you all,
Anneke
I arrived in England on Sunday night, after a very long trip from Adelaide-Melboure-Singapore-London-Cambridge. Luckily, Jarnie (the friend I am travelling with) and I arrived in Cambridge in the evening, allowing us to fall straight into bed and wake up the next day at a decent hour. The temperature (3 degrees upon arrival) was a bit of a shock!
We set off from Cambridge to Stansted airport, where we got on a flight to Rome. I say this as if it was a simple act, however, we may have gotten a bit cuaght up in the shopping within the departure area as we suddenly looked at our watch and realised we had 5 minutes until the boarding stopped! The 600 metre dash has never been done so quickly! However, we arrived (in time) to find our flight had been delayed.
Arriving in Rome was very exciting, we could see everything from the air. Luckily it was a bit warmer here as well (though not much). The bus into town gave us some insight into Italy- reckless driving in tiny cars, very public displays of affection, vespas and motor bikes everywhere and quite narrow cobbled roads. Also, the juxtaposition of historical sites next to more modern buildings, car parks and the like.
After a great dinner of gnocchi followed by gelati, ordered in my very simple primary school Italian, we set off back to the hotel, just near termini station.
Included in our room rate was a voucher for breakfast from the local coffee bar, which is quite Italian- cafe latte and a pastry eg chocolate croissant. We had a massive day of sight seeing, first on a bus that gave us a tour of the city, then on foot, finding amazing churches hidden behind innocuos doorways, shops selling priests robes for all occasions and the Trevi fountain, where we ensured our return to Rome. Dinner was in a simple cafe, where we were served 3 different types of bread we hadn't ordered- and then charged for it!
Happy New year to you all,
Anneke
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Leaving today
Well my baggage is (almost) ready, toothbrush packed and I'm ready to go!
My flight leaves this afternoon for London via Singapore. After an overnight stay in London, I'm off to Italy for New Years with a friend, then to Belfast for a 2 week placement in Oncology, then to Dublin for a few days. I will arrive in Norway on January 21 and start Uni on Australia Day.
Happy New Year to you all and see you in 2009.
Anneke
My flight leaves this afternoon for London via Singapore. After an overnight stay in London, I'm off to Italy for New Years with a friend, then to Belfast for a 2 week placement in Oncology, then to Dublin for a few days. I will arrive in Norway on January 21 and start Uni on Australia Day.
Happy New Year to you all and see you in 2009.
Anneke
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Jeg skal reise til Norge...
Welcome to my blog for my trip to Norway!
As you may be aware, I'm going to study at the University of Oslo for one semester, starting Jan 26. Whilst over there, I'll be studying obs & gyn as well as paediatrics. There will be about 30 exchange students from around the world as well as the Norwegian medical students. All teaching is in english.
If you're interested, this is the Uni website:
http://www.uio.no/english/
I hope to post on this blog stories and photos about my time in Norway and about my travels to surrounding countries! Feel free to leave comments or questions in the comments section, hopefully it should be easier to use this time. There is no word verification step, but you will need a login (either blogger ID or open ID http://openid.net/) to try and reduce comment spam.
You can also choose to be notified when this blog is updated. See the right hand side of the screen for details (I think it's called 'following' the blog).
Meanwhile, my Norwegian is slowly improving....
See you in Norway!
Anneke
As you may be aware, I'm going to study at the University of Oslo for one semester, starting Jan 26. Whilst over there, I'll be studying obs & gyn as well as paediatrics. There will be about 30 exchange students from around the world as well as the Norwegian medical students. All teaching is in english.
If you're interested, this is the Uni website:
http://www.uio.no/english/
I hope to post on this blog stories and photos about my time in Norway and about my travels to surrounding countries! Feel free to leave comments or questions in the comments section, hopefully it should be easier to use this time. There is no word verification step, but you will need a login (either blogger ID or open ID http://openid.net/) to try and reduce comment spam.
You can also choose to be notified when this blog is updated. See the right hand side of the screen for details (I think it's called 'following' the blog).
Meanwhile, my Norwegian is slowly improving....
See you in Norway!
Anneke
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)