There are so many titles I could use for this particular blog entrance, but most were not too complimentary.To put it in a nut shell, we stumbled across Genova’s version of the red light district where street walkers, priests and police abide. It was quite interesting and entertaining, especially when I wanted to take a picture of one of the lovely streets and the women all scattered out of the camera’s eye and immediately around the corner was a gorgeous church on the Via Stefania Moro. They did not offer candles to be purchased, but instead had fake slender bulb candles that would light up once you inserted the appropriate amount of money. I am fairly sure this is done due to candle theft. I even found a craft store in this district and bought a small gift for one of my daughters.
Our day in Genoa started with a simple breakfast and out the door for a new day of adventures.
I have been carrying around a pair of almost new Skechers that were a bit too narrow for my feet. I figured this would be the perfect place to “gift” them to someone, so I sat them on the curb next to what appeared to be a local gathering place and we barely got 100 feet and they were already gone. I hope someone can get use from them (and not sell them!)
We walked along the Port and Marina, where we were instantly accosted by some dudes from Kenya who wanted us to “try” on bracelets and offered them for no price until you started walking away, then the games began. We gave them Euro 10.00 just to stop the madness. LOL It was all in good fun and I have to admit they were great hagglers. After that when you see one of them, you just keep walking. Do not make eye contact!
There are obviously more people in town due to the cruise boats that pulled in.
We saw many sights but three I liked the most.
- The huge ship that looks something out of pirate times with side cannons, eagle nests and huge mast heads. It is beautifully detailed and I enjoyed studying it.
- The restaurant that lifts into the sky along with a lift that you can pay to go in to get have a panoramic view of Genova.
- And the many large decorative wood guitars on iron stands. I loved those. Of course Han did too.
One distinct, overly weird art sculpture was near the marina too. All I can say is look at the pictures, you will surely recognize it. Can’t say I appreciated this odd looking art.
We then walked back into town and walked along San Lorenzo to see multiple ancient buildings and churches.
This is actually only a short list of what we saw today, La Cattedreale Di San Lorenzo, La Chiesa Di San Pietro, Piazza De Ferrari, Palazzo Ducale, Porta Soprano, Piazza Matteotti, Teatro Carlo Felise, Palazzo Nicolo Grimaldi and the remains of Christopher Columbus’ home. Even the banks here are pieces of fine art with carvings and painted ceilings.
After taking, it seems, like a bazillion pics of the side streets, I became aware that I was getting carried away.
You can walk the side streets for days upon days and not travel any of them twice.
We ate lunch at Cafe Barbarossa that had an Elvis statue out front. What an oddity! The owners knew what they were doing because most everyone who saw it, wanted to pose for a photo and some stopped to have lunch.
The area is a perfectly wonderful place to sit and people watch, with Porta Soprano as the back drop.
Food was fresh and service excellent.
Notable info:
Mopeds outnumber cars, pigeons outnumber mopeds and dogs poop wherever and most piles are left where dropped. Remember to look down occasionally.
Oh and there are NO toilet seats on any public toilet. WTH? I even went in a bathroom that you have to step on a pedal to pump water for the sink faucet. I love to experience life that is not common to me, but squatting over bare toilets is something I could do without. Bare toilets even at City Hall. Do people steal them?
No matter what the store is selling, it will have a 50% off sign in the window. Cracks me up.
Along the streets in plain view are condom wall dispensers and not just one, but packs of six. These horny Italians! LOL
You will not find internet anywhere. We even tried McD’s and you have to give so much personal information and then receive a text on your phone, but since our phone now has a different chip inside, I could not get it to work. Oh and the restaurants boasting “WIFI” on their windows? Don’t get your hopes up, they will inform you that they actually DO NOT have internet.
Dinner was two scoops of Gelato and all this was accomplished by 5:30pm. So much writing to catch up on, that we decided an early evening was a lovely choice.
Next stop is Florence. I sure hope they have obtainable internet there and toilet seats.
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