Roma

 

Brindisi was our first destination in Italy, only because the ferry took us there. It is located right on the heel of the boot.

There isn’t a whole lot goin on in Brindisi.

The Italians don’t speak a lot of English, actually most of them don’t at all. We went into our first pizzeria in Brindisi and I asked the guy behind the counter if he spoke English and I am pretty sure he said, “yes, but I prefer not to”. Another time, at a sandwich shop,  I got handed a cell phone with a guy on the other end that knew a little English and I ordered through him. At least I knew a LITTLE Greek in Greece, but not knowing any Italian in Italy can be frustrating, especially when they refuse to speak English.

Dawson however thinks its easier getting around because Italian words sound similar to English or Spanish, So he plays the guessing game.

 Our second stop was Naples.

 I just finished a book called, "eat pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert, and in that book she goes to Naples and eats at a place called Pizzeria Da Michele and makes your mouth water with her description of it, so of course we went there. It was one of the best pizzas ive eaten. 

Naples invented Pizza and still makes it the way your "supposed to get it". You don’t share pizza here, you get your own pie, uncut, with a ton of marinara and just a few slices of mozzarella. 

 Other then the food, Naples was gross. We think maybe the trash people were on strike because the streets were littered with garbage beyond repair. People just threw their napkins, and wrappers and whatever else on the ground when they were done with them. Im not going to lie, it was disgusting.

 We are in Rome now. Rome is a WHOLE different story! Amazing amazing amazing. Everywhere you look is architecturally stunning. Rome is clean and upscale, which means a bit on the spendy side, but worth it. During the day it’s a peaceful walk along the river. At night it’s a classy style of Vegas without the prostitutes and nastiness.

 They really take pride in their fountains here. They are enormous and I find myself staring, like almost being hypnotized. The Italians just walk by them like they don’t exist.

 We didn’t have a clue of where to go or stay once we got here. We ended up staying at this grotesque hotel by the bus station. The guy running the joint looked so familiar and I couldn’t figure it out till the night we left, finally, he looked identical to the grinch who stole Christmas. The cartoon version, not the Jim Carrey wannabe.

 We went on a hunt to find a place to stay for more then just a night or two. We ran into a guy (sort of a tricky fella, with extremely tight pants and his fly always open) who had a few apartments to rent in the heart of the city. We ended up taking one for a week. He somewhat forced us into a two bedroom apartment, after we asked for the studio, but he made it a cheaper stay… weirdo. It is nicely located down town away from main streets, right next to shopping and attractive little squares and fountains and stuff. Anyways we were so happy the first night with our kitchen and cute all equipped bathroom, until we wanted to sleep. This is where Vegas attacked us. The bedroom might as well been in the center of the fountain of the noisiest square. Imagine an earsplitting murmur with the occasional idiot yelling above the rest… it was worse then that. The murmur stopped maybe at 4am, then the street cleaning came and drug the broken glass through the streets. I sound like an annoying neighbor, but trust me it was bad. So the next day we took desperate measures. We hauled the mattress from the guest room into ours and propped it up on a dilapidated armoire and shoved it against the ten-foot window. It’s quite the contraption.

 

At least we are in the center of Rome! We have visited quite a few museums and seen some interesting street acts. Yesterday we went to a museum that was displaying Picasso's art for a limited time, it was exciting to see his stuff in real life.

 The weather is getting colder. I cant complain to you guys in Alaska though. I am sure Washington is getting a bit breezy as well, and Oregon im sure is a soggy bottom. K well let me know how things are going!! Miss ya!! 

 Standing in front of The Roman Coliseum 

(Josie I know you'll appreciate this)

                                                                           
                                          This is another picture of Balos Beach in Greece.

This abandoned ship is where we ate lunch.