
I called down to reception and sternly stated my grievance, as this is the second time we have smelled smoke.
I guess the front desk clerk came upstairs because it became quieter, yet the smell of cigarettes hung in the air for the rest of the night. Then having to wake up at 7:00am to meet the bus, did not make me a pleasant person for the other front desk person to greet.
I mean we have been really understanding about the other issues like the toilet not flushing, which Han had to fill the tank via a cup from the sink every time because they did not have the part to fix it. Had to get a lightbulb for bedside lamp. Curtains didn’t close all the way, so hello early morning light day. Paper thin walls where you can hear every sound. The staff is most certainly nice but and tries to be helpful, but surely failed fixing most problems.
Taxi picked us up right at the arranged time to drop us at bus stop. Had coffee and a beignet for breakfast while waiting and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
The trip today included going “through” the mountains via multiple tunnels and over high bridges with very low guardrails is a bit harrowing and even more so when you are depending upon someone else’s driving. I have to admit that this particular driver is the best yet and I thanked him.
There are over 110 tunnels between Nice and Genova. The entire route is mainly made up of tunnels and bridges r as they are called here ‘viaducts’..
This is another first on my ever growing wonderful list of first. Not all first are comforting, some scare the crap out of me. This bus trip fits somewhere in between.
The views and landscape though are most definitely worth the trip. Mountains sprinkled with villages on my left and the very blue Mediterranean Sea with ritzy villas on my right. I hate to admit it but Han was right, this is now better than taking the train because you see and experience so much more.
We made a bathroom stop since the one on the bus is out of order. I saw someone pulling away with a medium size plastic bin on top of their car. Here I go running through the parking lot yelling, “stop, stop.” Of course the people at first looked at me like I was a bit off in the head, but then figured they should stop and see what the fuss was all about. He got out, saw the bin, gave me a thumbs up twice, blew me a kiss and off they went. Even small things can make your day better. Like when I also went in search of the bathroom and then saw the sign in a different language and realized we were Italy.
So it does not matter where I am or what I am doing, as soon as someone realizes I am American, they ask about the elections and I am quite literally tired of answering, so from now on, I will say, “I no comprehend.”
Arrived in Genova late ‘as usual so far’. That is the major downfall traveling by bus, and should be taken into consideration when arranging your travels, especially during top tourism season.
We found our hotel via our feet, pulling our luggage, but our room was not ready so we walked to a Chinese restaurant in the neighborhood, it was extremely inexpensive and pretty good. I had chicken fried rice with pineapple and it was just three euro with a healthy portion which was too much to eat.
Our room is quite spacious and very clean at Hotel Galles. Odd decor, as almost everything is a shade of green. It appears that they really like the color green in the hotel. I love the decorative tile floors and winding marble staircase, however I don’t love the scary elevator that lurches and drops to a halt.
First impression of Genova, the largest port city of Italy, with a past that includes Columbus and Andrea Doria? Very gritty and dingy! It has some charm, but you have to look for it and especially keep an open mind.
Not much tourism at first glance, non-existent internet connection, defiantly feels like 3rd world country (at least in this area), emergency vehicles are constantly running, people are friendly when spoken to but other than that they stay to themselves, dogs running loose, everyone is out in the streets visiting with each other, it is loud and bustling and very hot which does not help the smell of urine in many areas.
We went out walking after it cooled off some. A huge array of mis-mashed stores and hotels next to each other with no rhyme nor reason. Just every imaginable store front along the street. I purchased a set of vintage sugar bowl and coffee spoon set for 10 euro. He was asking 20 euro, but I never pay full price and you should not either. Haggling is all part of the fun and sport. If you pay full price, I assure you they will have no respect for you and consider you a sucker.
The Afghan cook where we had dinner told us that few people have jobs in the city, but somehow they all have money to party. It is supposedly a party city, but we will not be finding this out.
He was very nice and sweet and had a friend visiting him there who was also enjoyable to speak with.
He seemed apprehensive to say where he was from at first, and I can certainly understand his dilemma, but he opened up after he knew he would not be judged by us. All of his family still lives in Afghanistan and he has been quite stressed for their safety. He recently went home to visit after being away from them for five years and said he was more relieved now.
We bid them well and brought the food back to the room to eat since we have AC.
Honestly the food was subpar at best. I was a bit concerned to eat mayo that had been sitting out with flies and in the extreme heat all day, but so far, so good.
Genova is known as Columbus’ birthplace, so we will dive more into the history tomorrow.
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