Aug 12

Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence

Ania, michel and tjWe wanted to get out of the busy city hubbub, so we decided to take a public bus to Piazzale Michelangelo to experience the great renaissance artist’s Florence from above. It was also near a camping where Han’s family used to camp at in the late fifties and early sixties.
It took quite some time to find the bus location (even the tourism office sent us wrong and then to purchase tickets., which happens to be any tobacco shop. I cannot even remember how many times we heard, “it’s over there” with a quick point of the finger and then dismissed. We went to the tourist office and found out you buy the tickets right outside at the bar set up. Wrong! The bar owner pointed at a store across the road and told us they were the ones selling bus tickets. By the time we walked all over looking for buses and tickets, we were already hot and tired, but was nice to settle onto the bus until it began jarring my brains apart going over the roads. It is a fairly rough ride up, but definitely worth the scenery and experience. Best deal for the price too; Euro 1.20 p/p with a ticket duration of 90 minutes.

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Aug 11

Florence is Flavorless

tj eating gelatoSo there are about 50 tour people, ages 20’s and 30’s, staying at the hotel which is located conveniently close to the main train station, just a couple of block from the famous ‘Duomo’. As always with groups, we were rudely awakened this morning at 2:30am by slamming doors and screaming and laughing. Yep, it sure started our morning off real nice.
Was able to sleep a little more then had some breakfast and spoke to the front desk. These travel agents are nice but when they see and hear them come in loud, drunk and obnoxious, then something should be said about a little respect for others.
Well, coffee helped quite a bit.
My assessment of Italy so far is still Go to Prague!
It would be perfectly wonderful, if not for the Italians.

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Aug 09

August 9 – Just Say “No” To Genova

Statue in Port of GenoaThere 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.

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Aug 08

August 8 – Cannes Via Bus To Genova > What A Difference

tunnelsOMG! I woke up pissed off today. After not falling asleep until 12:30, I was woken at 2:15 by loud talking and disgusting smell of thick cigarette smoke. Our hotel is supposed to be smoke free. Even when I DID smoke, I could not stand sleeping in hotels that allowed it, as there is nothing more gross than sleeping in an ashtray.
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.

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Aug 07

August 6/7 – Cannes, Can We Just Stay Here?

A new LancelThe moment the bus rounded the corner and the beaches came into view, I was enchanted by the clear blue sea and it was calling to me.
I also saw a great sign that said, “Don’t Splash Your Trash”. Meaning do not throw your litter in the water.
We disembarked and went in search of a taxi. On the way we were subjected to our second impression of Cannes, that some people obviously have more money than class.
I am just going to be honest here. There was a very wrinkly old geezer, in a speedo, instructing his much younger arm candy on how to pose in a public fountain while wearing just her bikini bottoms. She had laid her top on a brick wall, and went to heeding his commands. So he is running around her like a teenager, snapping photos while everyone around was privy to their little display of oddity. I have no problem with nudity on the beach, but think there should be some sort of decorum and self-respect when in town. When they were done, they strolled off towards where laid the mega yachts. “Bless their hearts!” > insert huge eye roll here.

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