tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26997578875779515252024-03-13T11:40:14.545+10:00Find the JoyJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-13099813622414235292011-10-26T10:13:00.001+10:002011-10-26T10:18:20.846+10:00Farewell from Rome - 25.10.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">One dream, Six Months, Twelve Countries………..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What is there left to say, but thanks for joining me for the adventure of a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has it changed me??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm, apart from a slight expansion of the waistline…..maybe just a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I feel like I am overflowing with gratitude for how amazing this holiday has been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t have written a better script for my holiday!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have truly been living the dream………..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">For my last day today, I signed up for an Italian Cooking Class!! I couldn’t have ended my stay in Bella Italia any better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was sensational!! This morning started with a wander around the streets of Rome purchasing the ingredients at the local food markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Certainly nothing like a trip to Rusty’s Markets!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we wandered around, we walked past the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and another set of ruins…all the while getting a brief historical run-down on the famous sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we stopped into the Chef’s personal restaurant, “That’s Amore”, for a few minutes before heading to his own private home (which used to be owned by a real Princess!!!!) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A most appropriate final setting for Princess Joy!!!.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There were 10 of us and everyone was just lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped prepare the following menu – Puttanesca Pici pasta, Tortellini Carbonara, lasagna with pumpkin & sausages, stuffed mushrooms, Pork fillet with two types of sauces, and tiramisu for dessert!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And hello, yes, we got to eat all of it...washed down with a glass of wine!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all rolled out of there about 3.30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, the best part was the Chef’s name….Fabio!!!!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhD56LwazPb379HIUZOHzAV2qOcCdge37aziAcQ4fhLLgp5aERNMA0qu7diURbDPk5PvWcuXG85RYfYIqJzNFT5V0u4SAh3JmmECkk9RssFZjwUBZOdZNLocdS-B8h_OhFICclkSC-5gB/s1600/IMG_8026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhD56LwazPb379HIUZOHzAV2qOcCdge37aziAcQ4fhLLgp5aERNMA0qu7diURbDPk5PvWcuXG85RYfYIqJzNFT5V0u4SAh3JmmECkk9RssFZjwUBZOdZNLocdS-B8h_OhFICclkSC-5gB/s200/IMG_8026.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYgDb73oJxLwJxjUKxF__myXADMSvUQHH-Z7HzxWYLOaMQE2576YPynC7Qi_sUcKvFJR14hgoPVDKiFNBko2aWOO46JM3yH5YzqMPQIgWfJh-qqlDF7UTlehmQeiUZPjG6W26FF_17Oqy/s1600/IMG_8028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYgDb73oJxLwJxjUKxF__myXADMSvUQHH-Z7HzxWYLOaMQE2576YPynC7Qi_sUcKvFJR14hgoPVDKiFNBko2aWOO46JM3yH5YzqMPQIgWfJh-qqlDF7UTlehmQeiUZPjG6W26FF_17Oqy/s200/IMG_8028.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The rest of my time here in Rome has been filled with early morning photo shoots to get those last few hundred memorable photos; last minute shopping for gifts (not just for me this time??); a final look at my favourite ‘famous’ sites; and a wander around the biggest markets I have ever seen.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Oh, and I could have even had a final date this week!! I was sitting on some steps near one of the famous sites and a ‘Rome local’ man started talking to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about 15 minutes he offered to give me his phone number in case I wanted to catch up with him later for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the only thing in his favour was his age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he was only 43!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed surprised that I didn’t want his phone number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially as he said that girls had told him that he only looked 33!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmm, I think they might have said that to him 10 years ago???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a strong resemblance to Danny DeVito!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The last 4 nights at the B&B have also been great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There has been another Australian, Madeline (from Melbourne) staying here and each night we have sat down together with a cup of tea and chatted about how we spent our day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And yes, it is hard for me to believe that I have one night left in Rome and then it’s time to come back home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw this written on a T-Shirt in a shop this week “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very appropriate for how I felt this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt an overwhelming sadness to think that it was all over. But when I remembered the people I had met along the way and the places that I had visited, I couldn’t wipe away the smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I left home 6 months ago, not knowing what the future held in store for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went through stages of panic before I left as I had only made a few definite plans and the rest was at the mercy of the Gods (so to speak).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the support and encouragement of my family and dearest friends, I left Australia hoping to have a ‘good’ time overseas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could never have imagined that these six months could have been as ‘great’ as they have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel stronger, wiser, more confident, more compassionate, and happier than I have ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wish now is that you have been inspired to have a dream and ‘live, love and believe that you can achieve it’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything is possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have certainly proven that to myself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And to finish this email/blog entry, I would like to share some photos of the amazing people that have made this holiday so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have been with me since the start, you will hopefully remember the names.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><u>The Plane Trip over:</u></em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Kehinde Ayobami Temitope - Nigeria</span></em><br />
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<em> Andrea & Angie - Italy (who I almost house sat for)</em><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><u>My family in Sicily:</u></em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Maria & Pipa</span></em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Mum's best friend in Sicily & Maria</em></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Maria's Family and our many dinners</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>My cousin Rosaria</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Filippo & Danielle who took me sightseeing</em></div><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><u>Siena Language School:</u></em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Flatmate Magdelena & photographer John</span></em><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Flatmate Hilda</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Mauro</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Tamara</em></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Students</em></div><br />
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<em><u>Morocco:</u></em><br />
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<em>My tour group</em><br />
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<u><em>My Monza Relations:</em></u><br />
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<em>Luigi & Imelda and their wonderful family</em><br />
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<em><u>My wonderful travelling partners -</u> Melinda & Ros</em><br />
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<em><u>PRAGUE:</u> </em><em>Adriana & daughter Linda</em><br />
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<em><u>ROME:</u> Photographer Carlo</em><br />
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</div><em> Vincenzo</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u4qRgN59Jmsn_aqyih8eP-IhPTFioiyojfMx8w3CYa-wHR3ZnV1bscCZrSlQcmvCjxgj2ONm8-J8z4A3cgZ1TD9jQHwSpr9apHhiXjFueBs7M2hWDPl8KFAFoXWpADHC-Tvq5hgymeGF/s1600/IMG_7020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u4qRgN59Jmsn_aqyih8eP-IhPTFioiyojfMx8w3CYa-wHR3ZnV1bscCZrSlQcmvCjxgj2ONm8-J8z4A3cgZ1TD9jQHwSpr9apHhiXjFueBs7M2hWDPl8KFAFoXWpADHC-Tvq5hgymeGF/s200/IMG_7020.jpg" width="140" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><em><u>LUCCA:</u> Noreen</em><br />
<em></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOBQycWwVZY-xbBxy_B0wkGZ29Z8oWEktuP8iNfpsJQGPsiSiBNwv8YKc7lXa4ER1-70WyJ8uyxbfdtcRbWg7FWJJ3poaSJN1F3BYNvaS1HXZnNqR7cBEo1KbDzA68ZffWK_W4wIaX4OH/s1600/New+Image.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="150" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOBQycWwVZY-xbBxy_B0wkGZ29Z8oWEktuP8iNfpsJQGPsiSiBNwv8YKc7lXa4ER1-70WyJ8uyxbfdtcRbWg7FWJJ3poaSJN1F3BYNvaS1HXZnNqR7cBEo1KbDzA68ZffWK_W4wIaX4OH/s200/New+Image.JPG" width="200" /></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em> </em></div><em><u>SALZBURG:</u> Virginia & her family</em><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e9TGIVbYA0NBsoojxrlBORe4jSi49hwZRKVHxK3datXqH0_H1tOcBWgKlOM3ZvLJwZpwsDRyH8hvmIk3bHey0eqdqSIQdUv3LsxGVudCI2239ZOSwEkujeUswDS0QvXGw3zD5LjYOlsc/s1600/Virginia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="141" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6e9TGIVbYA0NBsoojxrlBORe4jSi49hwZRKVHxK3datXqH0_H1tOcBWgKlOM3ZvLJwZpwsDRyH8hvmIk3bHey0eqdqSIQdUv3LsxGVudCI2239ZOSwEkujeUswDS0QvXGw3zD5LjYOlsc/s200/Virginia.jpg" width="200" /></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Kathie</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kKhBMAcASvGkN0C-hN63FgMt_p_vkAYW3djOSXgRDoiVAqdT_vdwA0bDumBMWqj8GFEIvRGV7xiKeZicgLu1V-O1bPK-97l0egtkSENQARWDolMPwoBD5XNHRNyni2ke1PDdXNZEnmgJ/s1600/IMG_6713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><em><img border="0" height="197" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kKhBMAcASvGkN0C-hN63FgMt_p_vkAYW3djOSXgRDoiVAqdT_vdwA0bDumBMWqj8GFEIvRGV7xiKeZicgLu1V-O1bPK-97l0egtkSENQARWDolMPwoBD5XNHRNyni2ke1PDdXNZEnmgJ/s200/IMG_6713.jpg" width="200" /></em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are so many more that I wish I could have added photos of - Kerry (met in Rome); Matt (met in Kotor); Dianne (met on plane from Cairns to Brisbane); Salvatore (met on train to Sicily); Martina (met on train); Bob (met in Krakow); Rafaelo (met on train from Sicily to Rome); Dora (met on train to Venice); Mirko (met in Siena) and so many more that I will remember always. Yes, for the final time...I have been blessed!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">See most of you very soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Love Joyous xxxxxxxxxxxxx</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Have the courage to dream big!!!</strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuc6VTgtQQPlIuE6Ez6TrahLhnVB6SnPEuT6JVdz701QBSARA3XRtgSNcB2Bo5TOG7UZQie9ctf4D0F4kWiddr0uBWYwiwBdgKES9DWv-EUci0yYMDCfBPhT49Niudz1S5-vRHbHjEHox/s1600/DSC_0766%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuc6VTgtQQPlIuE6Ez6TrahLhnVB6SnPEuT6JVdz701QBSARA3XRtgSNcB2Bo5TOG7UZQie9ctf4D0F4kWiddr0uBWYwiwBdgKES9DWv-EUci0yYMDCfBPhT49Niudz1S5-vRHbHjEHox/s400/DSC_0766%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-31886926634222937332011-10-17T08:36:00.005+10:002011-10-17T08:45:32.156+10:00Ciao from Trieste 16.10.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay, this is another long one, but be comforted by the fact that I only have two weeks left, so there won’t be too many more after this one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please hang in there!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ciao tutti (Hello all),</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I know I keep repeating this, but I just don’t know where the days are going!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Already since my last email I spent 3 nights in Prague (Czech Republic), 3 nights in Salzburg (Austria), 3 nights in Vienna (Austria), 6 nights in Monza (just outside Milan, Italy), 3 nights in Venice and tonight I am in Trieste, Italy!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I will start with Prague..which again was just magical!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was absolutely spectacular…incredible blue skies and a cool temperature of 22 degrees!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a wonderful time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there I navigated my way around to all the fabulous sights again (Charles Bridge, the Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, the Astronomical clock, the Old Town Square and many others).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I actually found them on my own!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros will be so impressed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I climbed the Old Town Hall tower and the view was breathtaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I was lucky enough to be there when the bugle boy played his tune!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a sweetie and even posed for a photo with me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">As I wandered along one of the streets, I became so excited as in the distance I thought I saw my elusive ‘principe azzuro” (Blue Prince)!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However on closer inspection, he was a very scary looking red one!!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvs07Yrmse-y8WL9JvWprgjskI4BLi4lNSm6B_iUtE7E42kR3QhrXbA6vRwHhuO9y_LgfDABnbG5yJ1_PqzB78VeMsmz0dAsp2Niyv0FqgENuM0S5VUuKqQmBOUKwOQ16WzsNW2dNHXM/s1600/IMG_4615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrvs07Yrmse-y8WL9JvWprgjskI4BLi4lNSm6B_iUtE7E42kR3QhrXbA6vRwHhuO9y_LgfDABnbG5yJ1_PqzB78VeMsmz0dAsp2Niyv0FqgENuM0S5VUuKqQmBOUKwOQ16WzsNW2dNHXM/s320/IMG_4615.jpg" width="245" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I once again contacted my Prague friend Adriana (who I had met in Venice) and not only did she invite me into her home for a traditional Czech dinner but she also gave me a traditional Czech present – a beautiful Austrian crystal drinking glass!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The generosity of the people I have met is simply incredible!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Her wonderful 16 year old daughter Linda even took the afternoon off school to come on a tour with me to the town of Kutna Hora. Linda was interested in photography and Australia, so we got along fabulously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of the tour, we stopped at a small village (Sedlec) which has one of the most unusual burial places in the world (Ossuary).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chapel was decorated by more than 40,000 human bones!!! I am not kidding…freaky!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had chandeliers, a coat of arms for one of the noble families and all sorts of decorations inside the chapel made out of bones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to smile when I saw some Japanese tourists posing for photos beside the skeletons!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly the most charming of backdrops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you picture that hanging on their wall at home???</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKykPuajNyjHh01Z0DDo070dXgwWw_V_gQDOF_rxH_l5bgZ8Y_PizVnx5v6qm3gHmHXtyt1jdqI9FUr_DpUDpWGZ4TcQlONUk9EYtCjWukiaeQhGmu3tBSCOOUxONbZhT34fmTPT0CcTE/s1600/IMG_5629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKykPuajNyjHh01Z0DDo070dXgwWw_V_gQDOF_rxH_l5bgZ8Y_PizVnx5v6qm3gHmHXtyt1jdqI9FUr_DpUDpWGZ4TcQlONUk9EYtCjWukiaeQhGmu3tBSCOOUxONbZhT34fmTPT0CcTE/s320/IMG_5629.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">From Prague I then made my way by train to Salzburg, Austria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have previously said I ‘love’ public transport as it has been a source of making many new friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this trip was no different!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met the lovely Kathie & Jimmy (from Boston, US) at the Train Station when I helped them work out which platform our train left from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, a risk for them, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had no idea that I had once caught the ‘wrong’ train and was maybe not the most reliable source??? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I then sat in the train carriage with Julio & his wife (from Brazil). Julio called me their ‘Angel’ as I also helped them work out their train carriage and seats </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julio was a physician in Obstetrics & Gynecology who also wrote books on the topics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I was impressed, I did not feel the need to write down the name of any of his books for future reference!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also spent an hour chatting to a lovely girl from Vienna, Birgit (yes, another Facebook friend!!).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Salzburg was simply beautiful!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first day I went on a Sound of Music Tour, which was just fantastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were driven around to all the famous locations which had appeared in the ‘Sound of Music’ Movie, all the while listening<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the classic songs “<span style="color: black;">Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do</span>……The hills are alive with the sound of music…..Climb every Mountain…” and receiving a fabulous commentary explaining how the film was made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did manage to refrain myself from the strongest urge to sing aloud, but inside I was bursting with song!!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrPtWI1Wofp334RrrvW4zpLhWi_r1rKcdxOxvijUSPjOhtgRM2x0em2lHd0trnHfx-WJ9gN53kml570ba-vLvcg9lxNTQgxolCYDMIqTyRmgK52zINvHrrE23MGqan6Lcf2N02qx_-hcv/s1600/IMG_5815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="222" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrPtWI1Wofp334RrrvW4zpLhWi_r1rKcdxOxvijUSPjOhtgRM2x0em2lHd0trnHfx-WJ9gN53kml570ba-vLvcg9lxNTQgxolCYDMIqTyRmgK52zINvHrrE23MGqan6Lcf2N02qx_-hcv/s320/IMG_5815.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And of course, to top it all off, I did meet another lovely American lady on the tour, Virginia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Virginia also wrote books!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children’s books this time. HHmm, was a little more comfortable to discuss these types of books! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was amazing that her son was a professional photographer and she was also interested in photography!!! Yes, we are keeping in contact.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I spent my second day in Salzburg walking around the streets, soaking up the atmosphere, and visiting the Hohensalzburg fortress, Mirabell gardens…and maybe just a couple of shops!! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FkwelEVHWrnHMyouO0HTI4zSl0LpXl2Uq2_xlrVQCowfnCDcXibznwh98FDPoaF8FU_Je2zHIPbdRvfKOgIFvKpOmIVoeKzU9biITxeal5XWt06g_k-_1PnDiEnLvWdAJ02xdsq4nFqc/s1600/IMG_6004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="225" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FkwelEVHWrnHMyouO0HTI4zSl0LpXl2Uq2_xlrVQCowfnCDcXibznwh98FDPoaF8FU_Je2zHIPbdRvfKOgIFvKpOmIVoeKzU9biITxeal5XWt06g_k-_1PnDiEnLvWdAJ02xdsq4nFqc/s320/IMG_6004.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Then it was off to Vienna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved Vienna even more the second time I visited the city!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that I take in so much more of the surroundings when I have to navigate myself around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously a good thing when one needs to find their Hotel again at the end of the day!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I had the most incredible “Serendipity” moment in Vienna!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was standing at a set of traffic lights waiting to cross the road and was flicking through the photos on my camera while I waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then looked up and started to cross the road and couldn’t believe my eyes when I bumped into Kathie & Jimmy (the American couple I met on the train ride to Salzburg)!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all hugged in the middle of the road and then went off and had a coffee together!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt such a connection with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor things though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I stopped talking for the whole hour and a half we were together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And the other great thing - When I was in Vienna with Ros and Mel, I had seen a very nice ring but didn’t buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the “no regrets” purchasing motto of Mel’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I had regretted not buying it and couldn’t find it again in any other country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I can quite happily say that I now have NO REGRETS!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found and purchased my lovely little pink ring!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHhmmm, plus maybe a few other nice things I found whilst dawdling through the shops…..</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ERgXT2zlX29T-DbVGo4vmdrg2b5Ja7rjtKpbQwtYqwntNq8nGBT7aomghNBN8W3nq01In3nK1cuIHzKxehcDzS8iWUgWhoZ-I6v3TjMJBSNJBA7WsKvXF4dlpXxzUw3ijBFsDqsd_rq/s1600/IMG_6600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ERgXT2zlX29T-DbVGo4vmdrg2b5Ja7rjtKpbQwtYqwntNq8nGBT7aomghNBN8W3nq01In3nK1cuIHzKxehcDzS8iWUgWhoZ-I6v3TjMJBSNJBA7WsKvXF4dlpXxzUw3ijBFsDqsd_rq/s320/IMG_6600.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">While in Vienna, I thought I should do another day trip somewhere, so this time I chose a day tour to Bratislava, Slovakia!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An hour’s bus trip to ANOTHER country!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How awesome is that!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like dragging out your passport before you drive to Port Douglas!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I met a lovely young New Zealand couple and an elderly Australian man from Sydney, John.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John was a retired lawyer who had also written 30 books on law and the legal system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, another writer!! John was well travelled and I really enjoyed chatting to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the loveliest smile that lit up his face every time I told him about my adventures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, the OMM – ‘Old Man Magnet’ was on again!! John was a 78 year old ‘pensioner’!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBr4QAa4pjeZ4ObzGajugu0p5bngG_5TVxRzOHblo3bkt7O5QuRW9Wj1QhLTgIqOMuONGUyUD54wKL9Bvl2zI_vE6z2ewAC4YFbv5lBn9XT4EoSEOaqII-j0ZlAX5psGvEF5W4X4N5N-C/s1600/IMG_6794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="213" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBr4QAa4pjeZ4ObzGajugu0p5bngG_5TVxRzOHblo3bkt7O5QuRW9Wj1QhLTgIqOMuONGUyUD54wKL9Bvl2zI_vE6z2ewAC4YFbv5lBn9XT4EoSEOaqII-j0ZlAX5psGvEF5W4X4N5N-C/s320/IMG_6794.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And then it was time to fly to Milan to stay with my fabulous relations again!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I need to even say it???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My ‘Royal’ bed was made up for me and I was waited on again!!! I so love my new cousins!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their hospitality, generosity and kindness had no boundaries. We went for walks/bike rides in the park, a wander through the markets, a drive up to the mountains; we visited even more relations, and ate continuously!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The night before my birthday we had a lovely family dinner and then all of a sudden they appeared carrying the most beautiful cake, singing “Happy Birthday” (both in Italian and English) and carrying armfuls of presents!!! Wow, Wow, Wow!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very very special!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could bring them all back to Australia with me (I’m talking about my relations, not the presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, I am bringing back the presents!!!).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I left for Venice the morning of my birthday (13<sup>th</sup>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there were tears and many hugs at the train station. I am so going to miss them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, once again the train trip was a great one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met a lovely Italian lady Dora from Milan who was very complimentary regarding my age when I told her it was my birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her word was “meraviglia” (a marvel).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said I looked 28!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, okay…I know I look 38 (??), but I was very appreciative of the compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a retired teacher who also loved photography.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How funny is this – she was heading to Trieste (which is where I am now) to attend a friend’s “book publishing” ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was now the fourth person who I met in short succession that had something to do with books!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there a sign here???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And then I arrived in Bella Venezia!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My birthday treat was a 3 day “girls” weekend in Venice!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past 4 months I have kept in contact with a lovely German lady Tamara who I became friends with during my Italian classes in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to catch up again before I flew home and the perfect place and time to do it was in Venice for my birthday!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shopped (for birthday treats……hhmmm…happy birthday to me??); explored the amazing streets and sights; of course ate more gelati and cake; and went out for dinner each night!!! It was wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also received so many Facebook birthday messages and emails that it brought tears to my eyes reading them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I happen to mention I am blessed!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">And then this afternoon, after lunch together, Tamara and I said our good-byes and I headed to Trieste for 2 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my God it is so cold!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It dropped to 16/17 degrees the last few days (during the day) and it is only 8 degrees tonight!!!! Oh dear…I just checked the weather report and it will be 15 degrees tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t help that I have noticed a certain chill around my right ankle when I have been wearing my new jeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm, it may have something to do with the way I stitched up the hem???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Well, I still can’t believe this, but I only have 10 nights left in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Trieste, I head to Florence for 4 nights and then Rome for my final 4 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fly out of Rome on Wednesday the 26<sup>th</sup> and arrive home on Friday the 28<sup>th</sup>. Hhhmm…I lose Thursday somewhere in there???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">That amounts to at least 10 more gelati’s, 5 more pizzas, 3 more pastas, and 2 nights of tuna and salad (because I am on a diet??)…………</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">So can’t wait to see you all.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Love Joyous xxxxxxxxxxxxx</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Final note: I received an email today to say that a friend from my old mixed touch football team passed away tragically last month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just couldn’t believe it when I read it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still can’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved life so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it reinforced to me how important it is that we all make the most of our life and any opportunities that come our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We owe it to those who no longer can. My heart goes out to Hayden’s family and friends.</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-17338230711005688332011-09-30T17:01:00.006+10:002011-10-07T08:12:02.456+10:00Hi from Spectacular Prague<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">28.9.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh my God…I almost missed the train again!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So not my fault this time!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still puffing from the exhaustion of trying to run, lift and drag my suitcase up a flight of train steps and along the platform two seconds before the train conductor signaled that the train was leaving the platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, he helped me shove my luggage onto the train whilst yelling something to me in Polish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Rewind – I got to the train station in Krakow with 45 minutes to spare this morning (train left at 9.30am to head to Prague).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the ticket lady which platform and she said 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am walking to the platform I hear my name being called out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So exciting!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be recognized in Poland!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, a ‘sliding doors’ moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my old mate Canadian Bob from the Salt Mine Tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was catching a train from the same platform (leaving 5 minutes earlier than mine).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So off we walked together and stood at the platform chatting until he left.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Then a few people around me who were catching the same train started getting a little concerned as it had just ticked over to 9.29am and still no train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we look over at the next platform and one guy calls out, “that’s our train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve changed the platform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s about to leave”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And off we all run!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not an easy feat when you are dragging a 24kg (yes it grew again!) suitcase and carrying an 8kg daypack on your back!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down two flights of steps, along the underground walkway and up two flights of steps, then along the platform to the waiting conductor (with a whistle in his mouth about to signal it was leaving). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as I stepped onto the train the doors closed and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart was pounding!!! Gosh, I won’t miss these “Amazing Race” style adventures of mine (as one of my friends called it the last time I almost missed the plane)!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oopps, don’t you hate it when you are eating something while typing on the laptop and you drop crumbs down into the keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bugger!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just polished off this delightful little twisty bread thing that I bought at the train station (a Polish treat I discovered in my 4 days there) and the crumbs just found a way to wedge themselves in between the keys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m on the train typing this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, where was I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, how quick did those 4 nights at Krakow go!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so not going to believe what movie was on last night in my lovely Hotel Room (in English)!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EAT, PRAY, LOVE!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that a sign????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing to watch it again and actually be able to relate to so much of it personally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially when Julia Roberts was pigging out on that huge pizza!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Been there, done that…many times over </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">. And of course the other more deep and meaningful stuff……..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I’m left asking the same question over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and over again – WHERE IS MY DONATELLO????????</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I was amused when I watched the part where Julia Roberts stayed at ashram in India to meditate and ‘find herself’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in Italy, I looked at the possibility of staying at a Monastery for a few days thinking it could offer the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, after visiting the Monastery in Montenegro, I was thinking how fortunate I was that I didn’t pursue it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That particular one had only smelly drop toilets!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure the only thing I would have meditated about for three days would have been ‘strong bladder control’ so I didn’t have to use them!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">On a more serious note, when I was in Krakow I did a day trip out to the Auschwitz & Birkenau concentration camps from World War II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very moving reminder of the atrocities of war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed impossible that it could have happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of the tour we were shown displays of clothing, personal items (suitcases, brushes, spectacles, shoes etc) and even women’s hair that were taken from the Polish Jews and others who were sent to the camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over one million people lost their lives there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievable, but true.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IAlpHLanBw1_kpXWgdWq2l2vaI2PisU8Rs0gMHrP3raZMhOmJBd-JES20PQijpaSC51lIceiPm3nkzAxKb2sl1npmQLiEIGNNRyrMMTUCh5VOtwZQZHUqgEoTMxQ7Wv71LPPvoJe7aOa/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IAlpHLanBw1_kpXWgdWq2l2vaI2PisU8Rs0gMHrP3raZMhOmJBd-JES20PQijpaSC51lIceiPm3nkzAxKb2sl1npmQLiEIGNNRyrMMTUCh5VOtwZQZHUqgEoTMxQ7Wv71LPPvoJe7aOa/s320/IMG_4009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And now about Budapest!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I absolutely loved Budapest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it comes a very close second to Prague as the place to ensure that you visit!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It caters for all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The photography, sights, architecture, history, shopping…it has it all!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have stayed for a week and wished I actually did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four nights wasn’t long enough to see everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I did a city tour which helped orientate me (still have that great sense of direction happening??). Just ask Ros….who continually had to remind me which way I should have been going!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that was also in the Hotel!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are travelling alone and opt to do a city tour, you always secretly hope that you meet someone nice on the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, my city tour ended up being a personalized trip for two!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only problem was the only other person on the tour was a very odd little American man with a comb over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to crack jokes the whole way by talking American slang to the guide, which didn’t go down very well, as the stern Hungarian guide just kept getting frustrated saying, “I don’t understand what you mean”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither did I, as a little voice in my head kept repeating “Would you just shut up!!!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really enjoyed my own company for the rest of the day!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I spent the next two days wandering around the sights in absolute awe!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The architecture was fascinating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shopping streets were also very pleasing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally bought those new jeans to replace the old ones that seem to have shrunk in the wash??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather changed from a warm 32 degrees in Eastern Europe, to a very cool 22 degrees in Budapest and Krakow!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the scarf came out!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHHWiXutOoJMPRmXWuxR-eeA5EEiIL7G1T1R7smzy6yMncs6WqCU8GhRL-A9Zxx5sjWHPMyn_Y3HeVV5rjSokvo6lPNA9Ae9M-aIsM4K-4TbhWLFGZo0Aj-JlvjpLsXa_GUEc_ei1B1r5/s1600/IMG_2652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHHWiXutOoJMPRmXWuxR-eeA5EEiIL7G1T1R7smzy6yMncs6WqCU8GhRL-A9Zxx5sjWHPMyn_Y3HeVV5rjSokvo6lPNA9Ae9M-aIsM4K-4TbhWLFGZo0Aj-JlvjpLsXa_GUEc_ei1B1r5/s320/IMG_2652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, that’s right, there was another thing I did last night while I watched the movie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually my Mum fixes my hem lines on any new jeans or trousers I buy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I painstakingly stitched up the hem of my new jeans using the little complimentary sewing kit my beautiful Hotel provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By some miracle I actually managed to thread the cotton through the tiny hole in the needle. I think it just slipped in by accident as I couldn’t even see a hole at the end of the needle. I just knew it was the opposite end to the pointy bit and poked the cotton towards that??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now just hoping no-one looks too hard at the bottom of my jeans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey Mum…when you read this….can you please fix them when I get home????</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt; text-indent: 2.25pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And again 4 nights just disappeared as quickly as they came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I just remembered!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mum will be impressed with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night when I tried to watch some TV in Budapest, the only English channels I could find were news channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I ended up watching an Italian soapie!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And now I think we are all up to date!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to go back to Prague for another 3 nights as it rained so much last time I was there, I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Prague I am heading to Salzburg….home of the “Sound of Music” Movie!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And that’s it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exactly one month left of this amazing journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But how will it all end?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay tuned for next week’s enthralling (??) episode of “Days of Joy’s life”!!!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, I agree, I think they are putting something weird in the water over here???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">30.9.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Made it to Prague safely and the weather is spectacular!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will try and have the photos for the last email and this one onto the blog by the end of the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will send a very very tiny email to let you know when.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope all is great with you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Joyous xxxxxxxxxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-52461506353728677242011-09-28T15:57:00.005+10:002011-10-07T08:15:54.936+10:00Hi from Krakow, Poland<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">25.9.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Princess Joy arrives in Krakow, Poland!!! Yesterday, as I got off the bus in my very crumpled pants I didn’t look anything like a princess, but when I saw the spectacular four star Hotel that I had booked myself into over the internet, I decided I must be </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">. Ohh wow!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am here for 4 nights and am so very excited!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of the most beautiful Hotel accommodations of my holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning’s breakfast even surpassed that of Prague & Vienna!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Porter may have to push me out of the door on my last morning, as I am sure to shed a tear as I press the ‘stop’ button in the lift just so I can savour the last few moments of Hotel bliss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m afraid Melinda and Ros not only taught me to shop better/faster/longer but they accustomed me to enjoy the pleasures of good accommodation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, all my good intentions of staying in hostels with the poor people seem to have gone by the wayside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely THIS is the life I was born to live!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And don’t all those real estate shows on TV talk about “Location, location”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well halleluiah to the ‘location’ of this hotel!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walk a mere 15 metres to the left of the Hotel entrance to step into the largest shopping centre I have seen in Europe so far!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All my prayers have been answered!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD6o7MAspwzuwTIeRz_rGHkwnwpOum-eGyTfDocOyvWEZU62MHpHpVTCBx9vNSXF_CA0vOlv8MfGS3lE47_mOxEMgrhyphenhyphenTp70HWhhHFGUKh8udJi2ItyypWrSTuqJP3XbaJfBK6U1e0rQb/s1600/IMG_4056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxD6o7MAspwzuwTIeRz_rGHkwnwpOum-eGyTfDocOyvWEZU62MHpHpVTCBx9vNSXF_CA0vOlv8MfGS3lE47_mOxEMgrhyphenhyphenTp70HWhhHFGUKh8udJi2ItyypWrSTuqJP3XbaJfBK6U1e0rQb/s320/IMG_4056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">This afternoon I did think that I should walk a little further than the shopping centre; so I walked in the other direction (convinced myself it had to be done), and found the amazing Main City Square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh My God….plus thousands of people!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t work out whether there was a festival on or whether the street entertainment and mass of crowds was a usual Sunday thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course, heaps more churches, coloured buildings and cobbled streets for me to photograph </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">However, before I go on further about Krakow, I will just retrace my steps for the past two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Briefly since my last email, Melinda, Ros and I spent 2 nights in Mostar (Bosnia), 4 nights in Dubrovnik (Croatia), 4 nights in Kotor (Montenegro), 1 night in Belgrade (Serbia) and after they flew back to Australia, I spent 4 nights in Budapest (Hungary) and am now in Krakow (Poland) for 4 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am loving this country hopping!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Mostar was a cute little town in Bosnia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main attraction of the town was an old stone bridge over the Neretva River.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is 20 metres high and local daredevils collect money from tourists to jump from the bridge into the cold river below. Surely there are safer ways to make money??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t quick enough to capture a photo of the one guy we saw jump from the bridge, but I did get some photos of crazy young guys jumping off a smaller tower into the same river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That looked scary enough!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRp_POVopc7ejTUauJS056acwi7iekNCcIMgskjL2hRdFDRYSlttWS1Q9Q5umKW_AW0yYPs1I0NhD-_VOIBCtdlJfmJv2Awd6wvMNi-7iNwx66grec-LT3pjciqaA4xEHE_EC-FomPvFd/s1600/IMG_0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRp_POVopc7ejTUauJS056acwi7iekNCcIMgskjL2hRdFDRYSlttWS1Q9Q5umKW_AW0yYPs1I0NhD-_VOIBCtdlJfmJv2Awd6wvMNi-7iNwx66grec-LT3pjciqaA4xEHE_EC-FomPvFd/s320/IMG_0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After Mostar we caught a bus to Dubrovnik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved Dubrovnik!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rates highly as one of the most appealing cities I’ve visited on this trip, and certainly the best in Croatia. And after much taste testing we did discover that Dubrovnik also sold the best gelati in Croatia!! Of course it had nothing to do with the extra large scoops that the gelati store provided???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The ‘Old town’ of Dubrovnik is completely surrounded by 2km’s of stone walls. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can climb up steps to the top of the walls and then walk the 2 km’s around the town taking in the incredible views!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda and I took so many photo stops as we walked the walls that it took us 3 hours to get completely around instead of the advertised 1 hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The old town was also full of narrow streets lined with fabulous little gift shops, with the most interesting window displays that COMPEL you to enter!!! It’s like this gravitational pull that sucks you into the shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then this magical spell came over me which coerced me to purchase three special little angels from three lovely little shops (because they were all very unique of course).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually we (Mel, Ros & I) were all overcome by that magical ‘shopping’ spell ………and somehow it seemed to carry over into the next two towns/countries???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The narrow streets were also lined with wonderful restaurants which catered our evening meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere was wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ELETTJ-XGLkJ14t0DXu481mnLlhVhy7D8KLxLiMMiMwtFvuWLUhENNnbGECmVKuQ1FwEX2-g4PqhW6ivzr1IvCC6JB0X1UMQjo7abxyMe9MG1oWPQ62t6Cfq3FICc-4ap1juD1H4Itj/s1600/IMG_0938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5ELETTJ-XGLkJ14t0DXu481mnLlhVhy7D8KLxLiMMiMwtFvuWLUhENNnbGECmVKuQ1FwEX2-g4PqhW6ivzr1IvCC6JB0X1UMQjo7abxyMe9MG1oWPQ62t6Cfq3FICc-4ap1juD1H4Itj/s320/IMG_0938.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5LPHR7kNoCirmNRbNHBWnjsHB-HoEtrkQ5-busljmNF4_OiBBGfn6FiieNiawjNg_jN5cwfSLwz9qddweGuxewR0GBbCMcUk68N0cxU6FGxNfhdCAzBjNJS3WXx7SIpTgovqZKyNnmiY/s1600/IMG_0567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5LPHR7kNoCirmNRbNHBWnjsHB-HoEtrkQ5-busljmNF4_OiBBGfn6FiieNiawjNg_jN5cwfSLwz9qddweGuxewR0GBbCMcUk68N0cxU6FGxNfhdCAzBjNJS3WXx7SIpTgovqZKyNnmiY/s320/IMG_0567.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Dubrovnik we took a bus to Kotor, Montenegro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros had booked us into an absolutely amazing apartment with the most spectacular evening view of the Kotor Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only downside was that it was a half an hour walk to get to the Old town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we certainly got our daily exercise as we did the trip at least twice a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda also made us climb up the side of the mountain (1200m ascent via 1350 steps!!!) to get the best photographic views of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, I do have to admit, it was well worth the effort (but don’t tell her I said that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Budva - town next to Kotor</div><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Melinda and Ros would read their Lonely Planet guide & Eyewitness Travel book daily to see what the attractions were for each city and generally we would try and fit them all in (in between the eating and shopping??).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was strongly recommended to visit the Ostrog Monastery (which was about two hour’s drive away).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we excitedly booked a tour and off we went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except our driver/guide couldn’t speak a word of English, so we still haven’t got a clue as to what we saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove us there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed him into the Monastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked around at all these dedicated pilgrims praying and rubbing noses with religious artifacts and handing over monetary donations; took a couple of photos (spending all of about half an hour there) and then drove the two hours back to Kotor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters even worse, Melinda overlooked the part that said you had to wear long pants and we were the only three people out of hundreds of pilgrims there that were wearing shorts!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pqltlrVCboAI2zBuknUWjXg31s3_chSdlmsuVoTfbWWik8uXai76hyphenhyphenYckMLDuApLMcL7ezlJ8G3CpRpnkjOCteE8PYPbfKBOpCWeb91fCh1Jjmj1XorokfatwLUn3nwILdyBJ-YqEzC1/s1600/IMG_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pqltlrVCboAI2zBuknUWjXg31s3_chSdlmsuVoTfbWWik8uXai76hyphenhyphenYckMLDuApLMcL7ezlJ8G3CpRpnkjOCteE8PYPbfKBOpCWeb91fCh1Jjmj1XorokfatwLUn3nwILdyBJ-YqEzC1/s320/IMG_2403.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The only good thing to come out of the tour was Matt, a 35 year old pommie guy who was on the tour with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt was on his own in Kotor for a week’s holiday while his girlfriend was in South America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, shame about the girlfriend part and we all thought he was just lovely!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he was amused by the ‘three Aussies’ and ended up joining us for dinner that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course became my latest Facebook friend </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then it was time to fly to Belgrade, Serbia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A flight we won’t be forgetting in a hurry!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We turned up at the Airport for our scheduled 9.45am flight only to be taken off it, as they were reducing passengers due to strong winds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They probably saw how large my suitcase was, and figured the plane was never going to get off the ground???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we weren’t going to let a small delay stop our enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did what any good female would do with spare time on their hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to the cafeteria for coffee and cake (only because the airport was too small and had only one shop)!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we finally got on the next plane flight at 12.30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as we were walking on the tarmac to the plane, the wind was so strong I had to help an old lady or she would have been blown over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little wave of panic may have raised the hairs on the back of my neck!!! Even the ground staff on the tarmac were struggling to stand against the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have done a little sign of the cross as I walked up the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we sat down we could see that we were evenly spread around the plane and it was confirmed when the flight attendant asked us not to move from our designated seats!! They had also reduced passengers on this plane so there were many empty seats (lucky them I was thinking at this stage).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And off we went down the runway, lifted off, and were then bounced around in the clouds for about half an hour!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a little unnerving, to say the least!!! Thank God it was only an hour flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes I thanked God many times over when we landed safely!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then we were in Belgrade for our last day together and all Melinda and Ros wanted to do was shop because apparently they hadn’t purchased enough in the past 5 weeks????!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked into our room at the Hotel and as we were walking down the flight of stairs, I slipped on the marble steps (yes, another flashy Hotel) and fell down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I can say is that I was most fortunate that we were going shopping because my ribs & elbow were cushioned by my leather handbag when I fell hard on the steps!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t say the same for my right thigh where I still have a nasty black bruise!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in case you were wondering….of course it didn’t stop me from shopping!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then it was time to say good-bye to my two wonderful travelling friends!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Tuesday Melinda and Ros flew home from Belgrade and I drove on to Budapest, Hungary….and the diet started!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmm, am not sure if eating pastries at breakfast falls under the concept of dieting, but my gelati/cake intake and size of evening meals have certainly reduced in the past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And yes of course I miss them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had such a wonderful time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even bought “Tour T-Shirts” which we would wear in each City we visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would get lots of smiles as we walked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never too old to rediscover the inner child!!!!!!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9VhX4_41ZTShkO7zQiqyzgfQGFEuPMQZLNJpHLAI1p684uVNXtqlzrM_ZIuCV4u4vD8ZyLuOCO8hKQx8K5_SwCDRfnrJKsMZl8MWnYnn0BonEHy4Bn2t-sbGPtx0iqeP1e8Y0z2FvO7w/s1600/IMG_2410+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9VhX4_41ZTShkO7zQiqyzgfQGFEuPMQZLNJpHLAI1p684uVNXtqlzrM_ZIuCV4u4vD8ZyLuOCO8hKQx8K5_SwCDRfnrJKsMZl8MWnYnn0BonEHy4Bn2t-sbGPtx0iqeP1e8Y0z2FvO7w/s320/IMG_2410+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">26.9.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Back again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros’s favourite thing was to ‘people watch’ (she was very observant of all their features and clothing) and then she would get very excited if we had a ‘sliding doors’ moment later that day or the next day where we would cross paths with the person again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this morning at breakfast I thought I would do the same thing and take note of all the people in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I looked them over (discreetly of course), I tried to work out what their life story might be, based on how they looked and what they were wearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took special interest in a middle aged man who was sitting alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had on a plain old brown jumper (which reminded me of a Lotus Glen Prison jumper) and faded old cargo pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought to myself that he must be single as his wife surely wouldn’t let him out in public dressed like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, I was doing an organised tour this morning and as I entered the Hotel foyer to wait for the tour guide, who should be sitting there but the boring brown jumper guy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And who should then start having a conversation with me – you guessed it – BBJG (boring brown jumper guy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the first thing he said was that he was not only on this tour with me, but apparently he had been on the same day tour as me yesterday!!!! Gosh, he must have been wearing even plainer clothes yesterday and blended into the bus, because I didn’t notice him at all???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">He then sat across from me on the tour bus and continued to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was a professional ‘celebrity’ photographer (which is obviously why he noticed me yesterday…he could see my future potential??) and for a few minutes I got very excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the excitement wore thin when for the next 30 minutes he proceeded to tell me how great and special he was. BBJG soon became known to me as a new acronym -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FIGJAM (F*ck I’m Good Just Ask Me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then showed me one of his favourite photos on his camera that he took on the previous day’s tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did smile silently to myself as I had taken the same shot and thought mine was even better!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Thankfully I was saved by Bob, an old Canadian guy, who decided I was his NBF (new best friend) and followed me around the whole tour (leaving FIGJAM to wander on his own).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I’m beginning to think I’ve become an OMM (Old Man Magnet)!!!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are all the single guys in their 40’s?????????????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not a huge ask!!!!!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bob wanted to catch up for dinner, but I opted out for fear that he was going to take me to the local RSL club.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hopefully I will have more luck tomorrow as this evening I found another hairdresser (at my now favourite shopping centre) who cut and coloured my hair. I am once again looking youthful and beautiful (?!!), so surely I will be noticed by someone other than a pensioner???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">27.9.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oops, Back again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promise I will finish this off this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve just popped into the Hotel room for a tiny rest as my back is sore from all the walking I’ve done today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found another Bell Tower to climb this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>239 steps this time!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But oh wow..what a view!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Worth every step!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I climbed up I thought I should do a quick toilet stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanted to avoid the urge to go half way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I counted how much money I have spent on going to public toilets in the last 5 months, I think I could have purchased my very own portaloo, with the truck to drive it around in!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was amused at the sign that was up in today’s toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quite discriminatory actually!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Men who used the urinal only had to pay half the amount of those that wanted to sit down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is with that!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>.50 Polish Zolty’s (their money) for a number one and 1 Polish Zolty for number twos!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkeR5XiFl8DBmqLcfJFK020b49USKFqi2D_qfAVKBD6NdlEctDPNqWiDqju3BVrPUr9D9AM2mcjRwO6j8ovdLYDPpcFylVUSqiC7ibXtgVdLcmlTkWfNYdAqgHcCwjTzM2GQ5E0fMHYvp/s1600/IMG_4131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkeR5XiFl8DBmqLcfJFK020b49USKFqi2D_qfAVKBD6NdlEctDPNqWiDqju3BVrPUr9D9AM2mcjRwO6j8ovdLYDPpcFylVUSqiC7ibXtgVdLcmlTkWfNYdAqgHcCwjTzM2GQ5E0fMHYvp/s320/IMG_4131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, Okay, that’s it!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will leave the photos and description about Budapest & Krakow until the next email or you will need a week to finish reading this.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope all is great with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 4 weeks and three days and I will be home!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few more cities and countries to squeeze in first.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ll-An_5DZIWGRP28snP6iEGDNOciNRw-4Fd3FgmjsijNdAXFKR4B2nlD0v7WH2yQTSbtQsAw0jOZb7UkqCaTU6Nh0NMRYIGeyuU5FxIaw02uXXw0WHEg-4r4Uv8LNnEgj1ETNkGP8kQq/s1600/IMG_2416+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ll-An_5DZIWGRP28snP6iEGDNOciNRw-4Fd3FgmjsijNdAXFKR4B2nlD0v7WH2yQTSbtQsAw0jOZb7UkqCaTU6Nh0NMRYIGeyuU5FxIaw02uXXw0WHEg-4r4Uv8LNnEgj1ETNkGP8kQq/s320/IMG_2416+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxxxxxxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-67107408783116418512011-09-14T20:51:00.000+10:002011-09-14T20:51:52.416+10:00Hi from Dubrovnik, Croatia 13.9.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh I just realized today that it has been 3 weeks since my last email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, it is incredible how time is flying by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have now been in Europe for 4 and a half months!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days as I look around I still find it quite surreal that I have been here for so long and seen as much as I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to add, ‘and bought as much as I have’, but I am always reminded of that each time I attempt to lift my suitcase!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Melinda, Ros and I are currently in Dubrovnik, Croatia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived on Sunday and leave again on Thursday to head to Kotor, Montenegro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since the last email I have been through three countries - Slovenia (Ljubljana & Piran), Croatia (Rovinj, Zadar, Lake Plitvice & Split, Dubrovnik), and Bosnia (Sarajevo & Mostar). For those of you who aren’t exactly sure where these countries are, they are in Eastern Europe, just to the right of Italy (with the Adriatic Sea in between).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It has been wonderful travelling with friends, however my ‘real life movie’ has now changed from “Eat, Pray, Love” to “EAT, SHOP, EAT”!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my God!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The breakfasts continue to be a main meal event, and then due to my fast metabolism (??), I am hungry two hours later and search for something for morning tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This of course is closely followed by a trip to the bakery for lunch..for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda & Ros always skip lunch by replacing it with either coffee and cake or a double serve of gelati. I can’t just sit and watch them eat cake (or gelati) without me, so I somehow manage to squeeze that into the daily diet as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we always end the day by experiencing a lovely meal at a different restaurant each night. Where is all this food going you ask??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHHmmm, in my unusually tight shorts??? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh dear, my usual daily salami sandwich at work is just not going to cut it anymore when I return home to normal life!!!!!!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Each city has an ‘old town’ area which is the ‘historical or medieval’ part of the town - where you find the old architecture, monuments, churches, shops etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And each town usually has a bell tower which we climb to see the city views and for our daily exercise (in an attempt to balance out the gelati calories)!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it goes without saying that we also visit almost every shop in the ‘old town’ district of each city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda is the ‘Queen’ of shopping!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her motto is “See it, Like it, Buy it” and I can assure you she lives up to that motto daily!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has now purchased something to remind herself of each city we have visited (uummm, have quite possibly done that myself??), and her large number of purchases somehow seem to disappear into her tiny little backpack!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am beginning to think it has a secret compartment with a suction valve, as I see the things going in, but the pack doesn’t appear to be getting any bigger??? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm, unless she is secretly hiding them in the bottom of my suitcase???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I better check that later….there must be a reason why my suitcase keeps expanding…surely it wouldn’t be the few minor trinkets that I purchase??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ros on the other hand is the conservative one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slowly looks at all the stores, compares all the prices, and after much deliberation either talks herself out of the purchase or finally goes back to the store just before we leave the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is the ultimate bargain hunter!! I am trying to learn some good habits from Ros, but Melinda’s influence appears to be a little stronger??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda believes that it is not good to have regrets, so it is always best to purchase rather than not purchase!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus there are summer sales everywhere over here, so surely the more you spend, the more you save???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Our accommodation has continued to be fabulous!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have stayed in the most wonderful hotels & self contained apartments, usually within the ‘old town’ districts or within walking distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got so excited the other day when our apartment had an iron!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that sounds strange, but I am someone who even irons gardening clothes, so it has been a challenge not to be able to iron my clothes for months now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda can’t believe that we arrive in these amazing cities, and the first squeal of delight out of my mouth is when I open a cupboard door and find an iron!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I say…some people are easily pleased???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of our accommodation has included two separate rooms for the three of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, normally, we would draw straws as to who would have a room to themselves (while the other two shared).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros booked most of our accommodation for us and I think she has secretly known about these separate rooms, because for a few nights before we arrive at these particular hotels/apartments, she starts snoring like a trooper!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ultimately has meant that she has gotten the separate room on every occasion!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night she had a few too many red wines and I am sure they would have heard her snoring from every room in the entire building!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, I have invested in a set of ear plugs!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Initially when we started travelling from town to town in the country Slovenia, we had arranged with “Kumuka Tours” to provide personal transfers between towns; and city tours for us once we arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The private transfers meant that we had a personal driver pick us up from our hotel and drive us to the next town in the air-conditioned comfort of a beautiful new and spacious vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was extra special for me as the driver would always grab my suitcase first to help lug it to the vehicle, as he could quite easily see that it was the largest of the three packs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made travelling such an easy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the extra expense of such luxury, we could only afford to do it for the first week of our holiday together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Reality quickly set in after that, when we had to start catching local buses between towns and countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ‘busing’ experiences have not always been great ones!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half the buses have not had air-conditioning and have felt like ‘saunas on wheels’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half the bus stations have only had ‘drop toilets’ as their public toilets, so I have now had to use them 4 times!!!! Yes, those lovely ones that you have to ever so elegantly try to squat and hover over, whilst aiming for a small hole in the ground….hhmm, all the while trying to ensure you miss your shorts and shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me tell you though, the next time I go to boot camp, I am going to be an expert at holding myself in a squat position!! I will just have to remind myself not to pee at the same time???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, I hope you made yourself a cup of tea/coffee/glass of wine before you started reading this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have to tell you about the towns/countries I have been to in the last three weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, the last email ended when we were about to head to the Capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ljubljana is one of Europe’s smallest Capital cities and was just lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scored the best tour guide ever for our morning city tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was an Archeologist who was both knowledgeable and funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved her. She even gave us each two hugs at the end of the tour (Slovenian people are very friendly!). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she also threw in some free man tips!! She told us that the best looking men in Europe were in Bosnia, so we got just a little excited knowing that we were heading there as well!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said not to bother with the men in Slovenia as they were just hopeless when it came to ‘man things’ like building or fixing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhmm, it wasn’t long before we confirmed that for ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about 7am the next morning we saw two guys standing around a front glass door which had been laid down on the footpath outside a shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 2pm there were three men and at 6pm there were 5 men working on the same glass panel on the footpath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally at 10pm we saw that the men were holding the glass door up, about to reattach it to the store!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided that if it took 5 men and 15 hours to fix a door, the Slovenian women were in big trouble!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAtSxJEQY9k1_sZ4KMOa9DASqTbDqgXUwMDArk_WshuD_mltfg01fDsSAOBtVRcm-y2HfjZRQPgbVXzQCyq5DT8WpEhEc724XzdkJ_nJ_PA0F0fBDMWLinaMdM5tk6p87-DpgFB7iA6Lu/s1600/IMG_7089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAtSxJEQY9k1_sZ4KMOa9DASqTbDqgXUwMDArk_WshuD_mltfg01fDsSAOBtVRcm-y2HfjZRQPgbVXzQCyq5DT8WpEhEc724XzdkJ_nJ_PA0F0fBDMWLinaMdM5tk6p87-DpgFB7iA6Lu/s320/IMG_7089.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Ljubljana, our personal driver drove us to Piran and on the way we stopped at the most amazing ‘Postojna Caves’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The underground chambers and tunnels extended for 20km and had the most magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites that I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We initially started off on an electric train through the tunnels and then walked for about 1.5 kms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a freezing 9 degrees, so I had to hire a big hooded cloak which made me look like a brown Darth Vadar!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the caves, they showed us a ‘human fish’ which looked like a long skinny ghecko in a fish tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They apparently live for 100 years and because their heart beats only once or twice a minute they can go without food for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The perfect cheap pet!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Piran was a lovely coastal town at the tip of a narrow peninsula.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hotel was in the most perfect location – Right in front of the Adriatic Sea and a stone’s throw away from the main city square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even went in for a ‘real’ swim this time. Not much choice actually as I couldn’t touch the bottom!!!! Piran was also where I discovered a new type of bread bun filled with chocolate sauce…yum!!!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_qg-jU0iNsrAPkOLaRt7raT3d08fBbzIu6uaEKGcN07321K8-dPO90hKQKiYKumUd7KzE509VVzzl8YhnJUbSDKH9gRhPtCuM_zcUrAy9AC5fSUti6ton2eaBOe7DtJjSyZtyedKZTPd/s1600/IMG_7470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_qg-jU0iNsrAPkOLaRt7raT3d08fBbzIu6uaEKGcN07321K8-dPO90hKQKiYKumUd7KzE509VVzzl8YhnJUbSDKH9gRhPtCuM_zcUrAy9AC5fSUti6ton2eaBOe7DtJjSyZtyedKZTPd/s320/IMG_7470.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Piran we caught a bus to Rovinj, Croatia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved Rovinj!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coloured buildings and cobblestoned streets were just gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a carnival on the weekend we were there and the atmosphere was amazing and we saw a spectacular display of fireworks!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also stayed in a wonderful four star hotel, so once again we were feeling very special.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We then took a bus to Zadar where we met up with two of Melinda & Ros’s friends from Tassie, Bev & Rob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all stayed together in a lovely apartment and enjoyed a couple of evenings of drinks and nibbles on the balcony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then hired a car and drove to the Plitvice Lakes National Park for a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got Rob to drive as we decided it was the ‘man’s’ job to drive on the opposite side of the road, while the 4 of us ladies navigated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky for Rob we hired a GPS to assist with the navigation or he would have looked even more frazzled by the time we arrived!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The Plitvice Lakes were simply beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent two half days walking along wooden footbridges over and through the lakes and waterfalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely a must see if you ever go to Croatia!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Zadar we then bussed it to Split which is the second largest city in Croatia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The old city is build around the harbour and had a wonderful promenade of shops, markets and dining venues. My fondest memory though will be of our two bedroom apartment which contained everything you could possibly need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, this one had the iron and washing machine, LCD TV (with numerous English channels), air-conditioning etc…all the comforts of home!! It was so nice to spend the days wandering around the cobble stoned streets (taking photos, climbing towers, shopping) and then be able to return to the apartment, curl up on the couch and watch re-runs of Ally McBeal and Sex in the City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we are showing our age!!! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqALL-yuS7eNCdggqm1DWlSoHP-Ji80lVJ7PppNDr1zAC8PdLZHxrfCLUxif4gMmXYKa8XuzZ8tUdSjHWeDO9DPKIIlazbh143CPF7gZGIvJnp0B-xFln8cj7ttiBm-frlbxoP0VHB0o1/s1600/IMG_9489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqALL-yuS7eNCdggqm1DWlSoHP-Ji80lVJ7PppNDr1zAC8PdLZHxrfCLUxif4gMmXYKa8XuzZ8tUdSjHWeDO9DPKIIlazbh143CPF7gZGIvJnp0B-xFln8cj7ttiBm-frlbxoP0VHB0o1/s320/IMG_9489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Split we then took a bus to Sarajevo, the Capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (in search of those ‘best looking men in Europe’??).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarajevo was a wonderful surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really enjoyed our time there and found the Bosnian people to be so incredibly friendly and helpful (even though we couldn’t find those handsome single men).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a city tour with another fabulous tour guide who provided us with such insight into the history of the town and Bosnian war (1992 – 1995) where Sarajevo was at the centre of the longest siege in modern European history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While most of the damaged buildings had been restored, we could still see holes in the sides of some buildings from the shelling and sniper fire; plus endless white-stoned graveyards throughout the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We stayed in the ‘Old Town’ area which was full of narrow streets lined with markets (the Turkish influence) and actually reminded me of the markets in Morocco. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, this time we could walk around easily without being hassled by the salespeople!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city was also full of mosques, synagogues and Catholic and Orthodox churches due to its cultural diversity (Bosnians were Muslims, Croatians were Catholic and the Serbians were Orthodox). See…I was listening to the tour guide!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokPpbxNeC9_VNKl37j0HXvAt100SC-4N0010RO0hyCq4RCycqSaKl_9NTKi7qZRUgFQtTsGE0HccngDCi4alIP_KB703hBuojLDg3LxMXIRTtDzl5YbXXFH0QnIB8rUcNE3-jEMnAmI9n/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgokPpbxNeC9_VNKl37j0HXvAt100SC-4N0010RO0hyCq4RCycqSaKl_9NTKi7qZRUgFQtTsGE0HccngDCi4alIP_KB703hBuojLDg3LxMXIRTtDzl5YbXXFH0QnIB8rUcNE3-jEMnAmI9n/s320/IMG_0025.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We also did a fabulous day trip out to the Olympic Mountains and Lukomir village, Bosnia’s most traditional surviving mountain village (so the ‘Lonely Planet’ and our cute tour guide said).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery was spectacular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were even invited into one of the villager’s huts for coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say my initial reaction was one of fear, as I recalled the cus cus meal of the Berber family luncheon in Morocco.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when we all were required to remove our shoes prior to entering, I felt a little more at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Villager’s hospitality was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her home consisted of a tiny, humble and spotlessly clean multi-functional room which was smaller than my bedroom at home yet still consisted of a small kitchen, small kitchen table with 2 chairs, coffee table, single bed, a set of shelves attached to the wall and one tap connected to a sink on the floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to sit on her bed while being served.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just goes to show what little one actually needs in life!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHHmmm…but I am a ‘princess’ after all, so can’t see myself downsizing to that extent anytime soon!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f2SrHydCD1f7MuswywkY489gl9cYirTZA2VOLYkGNs6xlXRU9_c_Q1XVanmPkNsAg0XkhzdNCVXiAey6GY2fCB3_wsSzLwqz-nVDb-FO68ktkMON9g5sLPiBZ8fWK0UzERpFGQRsVJSm/s1600/IMG_9986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-f2SrHydCD1f7MuswywkY489gl9cYirTZA2VOLYkGNs6xlXRU9_c_Q1XVanmPkNsAg0XkhzdNCVXiAey6GY2fCB3_wsSzLwqz-nVDb-FO68ktkMON9g5sLPiBZ8fWK0UzERpFGQRsVJSm/s320/IMG_9986.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And from Sarajevo we went to Mostar for two nights and then Dubrovnik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More on those two towns in the next email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have well and truly gone on for long enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you still there????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, I promise the next one will be shorter </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope all is well with you all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love, Joy (the happy wanderer) xx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-23182791070749732962011-08-23T08:19:00.000+10:002011-08-23T08:19:03.467+10:00Hi from Slovenia 21.8.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Dober Dan (Hello) from Slovenia this time!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Slovenia is a small Eastern European Country which is centred within the borders of Italy, Austria, Hungary & Croatia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is our third night here in ‘Ribcev Laz’, which is a small village nestled alongside the gorgeous Lake Bohinj.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we step out of our very nice “Four Star” Hotel we are about 10 metres from the Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the life!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCnw_Zi4ZNs9RfiphwEBXU6D0FT7Ha4kgIy-S0M2muvgZ37EStcUX-5poKHZKwkLBl4Sfa6BfzbU_xtFb7tV7Ku-WbvxIN-l5QxYZeCD73s2q0vPKXelobPRl6eXMxqHQBwo0gR6beka0/s1600/IMG_6636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCnw_Zi4ZNs9RfiphwEBXU6D0FT7Ha4kgIy-S0M2muvgZ37EStcUX-5poKHZKwkLBl4Sfa6BfzbU_xtFb7tV7Ku-WbvxIN-l5QxYZeCD73s2q0vPKXelobPRl6eXMxqHQBwo0gR6beka0/s320/IMG_6636.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We arrived at Lake Bohinj on Friday and after settling into our hotel, we wandered down to the Lake and went for a short swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, not sure if you can call my ‘effort’ a swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If slowly edging into the freezing cold water (whilst complaining about the cold with each step) and then standing still for fear that moving may stir the small warm patch (or less cold patch??) that I was standing in can be called swimming, then swimming it was!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, it was very refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">That short swim (?) somehow seemed to create a monster appetite for us all (not sure how, but it did?), so that night we enjoyed the largest pizza I have ever seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes, that was a pizza each, not a shared one!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all left a small piece behind which I am sure was more to save the embarrassment of actually being able to eat a pizza so large, rather than because we were too full!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was simply just keeping pace with Melinda and Ros???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day, we headed off on a day trip to Lake Bled, the most well known and beautiful lake in Slovenia. The Lake has a small Island Church in the middle of it, which we had to catch a canopied rowing boat to get to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then walked up a 99 step staircase which led to the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the church there was a 15<sup>th</sup> Century Wishing Bell hanging from a small tower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legend held that if you rang the bell to honour the Blessed virgin, you would have your wishes granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I wasn’t going to miss out on this opportunity, so I pulled on the long rope and rang that bell long enough to make sure I squeezed in two wishes!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will let you know at the end of my trip if they come true </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, it was pretty amazing as we could hear the bell ringing most of the day from wherever you were around the Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhM1GwjHKuosyvupNT3iXWjPMK0N4XiNNJxd13G9jKL8FkIH4_HqEJ9STJzAPb9sTKNuxfp2dpwvGTg7BVeHoZq0mHgVDujiloei_ycNpk7cA5tIMKsECufZ9EPoodt9kZ8CXw6tsDvPz/s1600/IMG_6242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhM1GwjHKuosyvupNT3iXWjPMK0N4XiNNJxd13G9jKL8FkIH4_HqEJ9STJzAPb9sTKNuxfp2dpwvGTg7BVeHoZq0mHgVDujiloei_ycNpk7cA5tIMKsECufZ9EPoodt9kZ8CXw6tsDvPz/s320/IMG_6242.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We then made our way to Bled Castle which was on a sheer cliff overlooking the Lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just gorgeous views!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv6UMl-sCf6x2N9_uL5P_59ODAlrxvQ6DRGFiyliqhP2Q0Aq0IrNK4y1NpEIceeBi0QDdC1k_IoNpRtB07dXv8A0PWVdCU6jijkx3H21cSomwMH-aueO6vbjC4FxPDeg8h7zR1izuMiqZ/s1600/IMG_6118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWv6UMl-sCf6x2N9_uL5P_59ODAlrxvQ6DRGFiyliqhP2Q0Aq0IrNK4y1NpEIceeBi0QDdC1k_IoNpRtB07dXv8A0PWVdCU6jijkx3H21cSomwMH-aueO6vbjC4FxPDeg8h7zR1izuMiqZ/s320/IMG_6118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Then we caught a little steam train (with the cutest little carriages) which drove us the 5 km’s around the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry after we had worked out which was the most picturesque side of the lake we then walked half way around it taking photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we obviously had to reward ourselves with gelati at the end of our walk. I thought I should at least try and compare how Slovenia matched up with the gelati’s of Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disappointingly, it didn’t even come close!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Today we made more of an effort to work off our breakfast, which continues to be a main meal of at least 4 courses!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to walk half way around Lake Bohinj and then up 1000 steps (well, that’s what it felt like) to get to a waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We worked out we walked about 10 km’s, and with all the photo stops, it took us 5 and a half hours!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girls (Melinda & Ros…I am so blaming them), decided that again we should be rewarded for our efforts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the reward was a triple chocolate/vanilla/nut Sundae!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could so feel the cream just sliding down into my thighs!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0OBdXGqYnPFQo0_gktBb9Ljj6K7vFp8iljj-iQTvPs4frnJhUL3QDK-_531WvhmMHfCmjvj5xKc_IPvFGGG2PtvlXT5tTuQE72X7rZg_yDW0oI6qvhS2wOk32maX8HBhBus2WJx-B827/s1600/IMG_6445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0OBdXGqYnPFQo0_gktBb9Ljj6K7vFp8iljj-iQTvPs4frnJhUL3QDK-_531WvhmMHfCmjvj5xKc_IPvFGGG2PtvlXT5tTuQE72X7rZg_yDW0oI6qvhS2wOk32maX8HBhBus2WJx-B827/s320/IMG_6445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">That actually ended up being our late lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For afternoon tea, I found the snickers chocolate bar I had to buy to be able to use the toilet at the cafe near the waterfall. I almost gagged using the free port-a-loo at the lake side earlier today, so I would have paid anything to use a normal one. And obviously, the chocolate was a bonus!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to convince Mel & Ros that the snickers bar could really be considered to be a ‘health’ bar, due to the amount of nutritious crunchy nuts, but they weren’t so sure??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, winding back a little, the last time I wrote I was in Prague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned previously, I spent 4 nights in Prague with Ros.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved Prague!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hotel was just a short walk to the old town square which was so full of character (and shops </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">). We caught up with Adriana over two mornings, where she guided us around the streets of Prague to see some of the main attractions (Prague Castle, The old Town Hall, Astronomical Clock, the Charles Bridge, numerous churches and much more).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, we got quite the work-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was like a drill sergeant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We almost had to run to keep pace with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she was so lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even bought me a small book all about Prague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was great to see someone so proud of their city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQmop0i0tVGUcFICIlsaUlG5AQMIlOEXfu7VMdv4WDpC-WUobTLliUfCAfJ0MK5h7Jj8GJxg5xGA5AKb9NFPY7o5csZiUy_7UyfkQOuWILwfV_qNCJGtkQmGYlJqR-cy0Hp_1ucughwZJ/s1600/IMG_4662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQmop0i0tVGUcFICIlsaUlG5AQMIlOEXfu7VMdv4WDpC-WUobTLliUfCAfJ0MK5h7Jj8GJxg5xGA5AKb9NFPY7o5csZiUy_7UyfkQOuWILwfV_qNCJGtkQmGYlJqR-cy0Hp_1ucughwZJ/s320/IMG_4662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3R_z2b-SWdlaPHZHr4S4WNx5maeRdEUOIWl0Tgh-JPn7nQiFA7Qq5zoYF8ozvB0UX37iX5vXvGMomMG8uXsGPoVGXT7__X6v_0g1lTK-vJ7mbRmO6diLBcF41udyZu-pJBoZLU3a8XjA/s1600/IMG_5299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3R_z2b-SWdlaPHZHr4S4WNx5maeRdEUOIWl0Tgh-JPn7nQiFA7Qq5zoYF8ozvB0UX37iX5vXvGMomMG8uXsGPoVGXT7__X6v_0g1lTK-vJ7mbRmO6diLBcF41udyZu-pJBoZLU3a8XjA/s320/IMG_5299.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The rest of the time Ros and I wandered around photographing the beautiful coloured buildings and wandering through the shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, we had no choice but to visit a number of shops, as it rained for half the time we were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have no eaves on the buildings in Europe, so each time it rains, the only sensible place to shelter is actually in the shops!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially when there was a huge billboard outside one of the lovely looking buildings which advertised that there were 200 shops within!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously giving us plenty of shopping entertainment to wait out the storm!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ros and I also thought it would be a lovely idea to go a dinner cruise to see the river view of all the beautiful sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our booking included a free transport to the wharf and a lovely buffet meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was going splendidly until again it started raining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially we were thinking how lucky we were that we had positioned ourselves under an awning on the front deck of the boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the boat docked and we ran to the waiting minibus…to find that the free transport was only TO the boat, NOT back to the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t know where we were?? HHmmm…stranded on a wharf, somewhere in Prague, in the rain, with no umbrellas!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That about covered it!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to run to a building where we saw others sheltering, then ask for directions to work out where we were (lucky I had a small map with me) then walk all the way back to the hotel in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We very quickly understood why this dinner cruise was a little cheaper than the others!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Then it was time for Ros and I to catch a train to Vienna (Austria) to meet up with Melinda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent 3 nights in gorgeous Vienna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We certainly made the most of our first day together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a “power breakfast” which even out-did the breakfast offered in Prague, we headed off at 8am to the Markets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a little shop of one small purchase (a delightful little pink scarf which I am sure will get a lot of use in Cairns??), we then headed to the Cathedral.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully for the ‘power’ breakfast as we had to climb 300 steps to get to the top tower of the Cathedral!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then caught the underground train and visited a number of famous sights (Hundert Wasser coloured buildings & Schross Scholobrunn Palace and gardens).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">And after what felt like 15km’s of walking around the streets of Vienna, we made it back to our hotel and rushed to get ready to go and see the Vienna Mozart Orchestra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was quite amazing as everyone in the Orchestra was dressed in historical costumes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros and I decided that Opera & classical music wasn’t quite our thing, but the experience was worth the small fortune we paid to go and see it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The next day we saw the Lipizzaner horses in training (the famous white horses th</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">at put on shows of classical horsemanship).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the most gorgeous creatures! And then it was decided that due to our extensive work-out the previous day, we would treat ourselves to a leisurely day of shopping!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now, Carmelina had emailed me to explain that it was the tourist thing to do to attend one of Vienna’s famous Cafés to taste their famous cakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, at the slight mention of this, Ros and Melinda’s eyes lit up and we were seated in Mozart’s Café ordering chocolate cake....before I even finished the sentence!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCbDpZ8bhsxxP589ByVJnUj2zooCIjSsGexHzFnUp4GMYrmfOdKZV6DS3T-eBf2p_kcdliS3rLuZOgbCimcwbB1AsirmH5Jv57jm4STnRmqD8Al9uTUfC7ZmOxJB7QPrL4W1mv0BXyp9k/s1600/IMG_5740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCbDpZ8bhsxxP589ByVJnUj2zooCIjSsGexHzFnUp4GMYrmfOdKZV6DS3T-eBf2p_kcdliS3rLuZOgbCimcwbB1AsirmH5Jv57jm4STnRmqD8Al9uTUfC7ZmOxJB7QPrL4W1mv0BXyp9k/s320/IMG_5740.jpg" width="282" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then to complete a successful day of shopping (which means we all bought something), we ended the evening with a horse and carriage ride around the streets of Vienna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just beautiful!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGbmU2pfj4w-NUTGE-S7Wii9LyhbhX_0vLpvcL9RRE4agHUMTiL0xy05glyle5CSAX8KSbw23Ar2OLjzZYWYLxos3tFq1ufZU_zgdZ-kbsKnkwk6rKLdoEsAxnZ1LekmYyFti_NX-LMyB/s1600/IMG_5910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGbmU2pfj4w-NUTGE-S7Wii9LyhbhX_0vLpvcL9RRE4agHUMTiL0xy05glyle5CSAX8KSbw23Ar2OLjzZYWYLxos3tFq1ufZU_zgdZ-kbsKnkwk6rKLdoEsAxnZ1LekmYyFti_NX-LMyB/s320/IMG_5910.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And that brings me to the end of this email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow we head to Ljubljana, which is the Capital of Slovenia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, just one last thing of note.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda and Ros have decided to travel with backpacks for this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ros arrived in Prague with 11.9 kg’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melinda arrived in Vienna with 9.6 kg’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I flew from Florence to Prague my suitcase weighed in at 22.5kg’s (after having now left a small (?) bag of things in both Sienna & Rome…which I need to collect before flying out of Italy in October)!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have to confine my purchases to small (shiney?) items or soon I will have to ship home a small crate!!! Oh dear…..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope all is well in your corner of the World.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love, Joy xxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-1125097738356471572011-08-14T09:15:00.000+10:002011-08-14T09:15:20.999+10:00Hi from Prague 13.8.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">When I returned from Morocco I realized I had reached the midpoint of my 6 months journey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, unbelievable to think that three months had already gone by and I had another three to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reflected back on the first day I arrived in Rome back in April and remembered how excited I had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time, initially I must admit I felt a tinge of homesickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it didn’t last long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that I was going to treat the next 3 months as if I was only just beginning “Part 2” of my incredible adventure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And very soon I was reminded why this holiday has been so amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night I arrived back in Rome, I went for drinks with the gorgeous young photographer Carlo that I met during my very first week in Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could talk to him for hours. His passion for photography is such an inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made him promise to take me on a photo shoot before I return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The very next morning, I was having breakfast at the B&B and started talking to a wonderful American lady, Kerry (32 years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got along instantly, and ended up spending the entire day wandering around Rome together trying to find some famous crypt (which took us about 2 hours and 10 km’s of walking to find it) and chatting over lunch and dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was on a kind-of-find-yourself quest after splitting from her long time boyfriend, quitting her job, and losing her father from a heart attack last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was in her third and final month of her trip, and as you can imagine, we (and her too??) had heaps to talk about!! She was just lovely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And how lucky is this….she ended up taking a day trip to Siena when I was there and we again spent the best part of the day wandering around the sights of Siena (I was the tour guide) and having another wonderful day together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, I am blessed on this trip!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After Rome, I stayed in Siena for 5 nights and caught up with a number of friends I had made since coming over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I so loved the familiarity of being back in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met up with the teachers from the Italian language school (yes, of course Mauro was one of them), and Vincenzo and Mirko who I had previously met in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just read that line back and I wondered whether you were thinking that they had the most unfortunate names in Italy…Mauro, Vincenzo & Mirko??? What were their mothers thinking!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I went back to ‘my’ hairdresser in Siena and had a cut and colour again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked into the salon and she not only remembered me but even remembered my name!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first thing she asked was if I got my visa sorted!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also bought myself a good Dan Brown novel and managed to actually relax and do very little except try and recover from my cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even squeezed in three afternoon naps and…hhmmm….plenty of pasta, pizza and gelati (to obviously build up my strength again)!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After Siena, I made my way to Lucca for 3 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucca is this amazing little Tuscan town and is the only city in Italy that is completely surrounded by walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had heard so much about how wonderful Lucca was, and the town certainly lived up to my expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were walkways along the top of the walls and the thing to do in Lucca was to hire a pushbike and ride along the walkways and through the gorgeous cobble stoned streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course that was what I did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the chaffing on my butt to prove that I hired a pushbike on two of the days I was there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am yet to decide what was worse…the camel or the bike!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The second afternoon I was there, I was sitting on a park bench having lunch when another American lady, Noreen (62 years) sat down beside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No surprise, we ended up in conversation which lasted about 4 hours that day and then spent the whole next day exploring Lucca together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was one of the most interesting people I have met so far on this trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I don’t know that I could afford to spend too much more time with her, as every time I showed her something I liked in a shop…she convinced me to buy it!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scored a lovely dress from the Markets and a very unique silver & Murano glass ornament (which I eyed off for 2 days before she persuaded me that it would be a very special reminder of Lucca?<span style="color: black;"> She should be working in the markets in Morocco!!)</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, my suitcase is fast becoming a storage cell for items that bring many fond memories of these lovely towns I am visiting!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After Lucca, I caught a train to Florence and spent one night there before flying out to Prague (Czech Republic). I was told that the taxi ride from my accommodation to the Airport would take about 20 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was a little nervous about almost missing the plane to Morocco, so I allowed 40 minutes to be on the safe side and booked it for 7am. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, my over-excited taxi driver took only 8 minutes!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After driving through three red lights and at a pace like we were in a Formula one race (passing every car in sight and almost colliding with a truck), he said to me that he could still drive like that at this time of the morning??? What made him think I wanted him to still eludes me!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, I made it safely to Prague and was very excited to find that Ros (My new travelling partner from Tasmania) had booked us into a wonderful hotel in the Centre of town….especially as we are here for 4 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh My God, I LOVE PRAGUE!!!!!!!! My eyes and mouth were wide open in awe as I walked around last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have to be the most beautiful city of my trip so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Will add more about Prague in my next email, as I better head off now and get some sleep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are being picked up by Adriana (the lady I met in Venice) in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is going to give us a private tour of Prague.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, one last thing, I have never seen a breakfast spread as huge as the one this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just doesn’t seem right to be eating chocolate cake as part of breakfast…but it was there in front of me…and must be deemed to be the “Prague” thing to do…so of course I had to eat it…along with the ……..other stuff……</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As always, hope everything is great with you!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxxxxxxxxxx</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-14680289050046671222011-08-05T23:03:00.000+10:002011-08-05T23:03:03.725+10:00Morocco AdventureHi,<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I am back!!! Did you miss me?? Did you wonder whether I tossed away my police uniform for a ‘jellaba’ (long sleeved ankle length flowing dress) and rode off into the sunset on a camel with a Moroccan Donatello by my side?????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not likely!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My thighs are still sore from the one hour 45 minute camel ride into the Sahara Desert almost 2 weeks ago!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">However, I had such a wonderful time in Morocco and feel so fortunate that I have experienced their unique culture; visited their cities, Mosques & Kasbah’s; delighted in the scenery of the mountains and small villages; and basked in the serenity of the desert (which fortunately had a real toilet set up in a tent…for Princess Joy). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kumuka tours called it the “Magical Morocco Safari” and it really was!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Our tour took us from Casablanca – Essaouira – Marrakech – Ouarzazate – Todra Gorge – Merzouga sand dunes – Midelt – Fes – Chefchaouen – Tangier – Rabat – Casablanca (and many small villages in between - for 15 days. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We had a Moroccan tour guide who was extremely passionate about his country and was like a walking history book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And our toothless bus driver was incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could navigate himself out of any traffic jam in between donkeys, pushbikes, motor bikes, horse & carts…just amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my God, the traffic was worse than Italy in some towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time we came up to a roundabout, two lanes turned into 4 lanes as everyone just merged onto the roundabout and sounded their horns demanding right of way. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">In the larger cities, the family vehicle appeared to be either a motor bike or Van/Ute and the goal was to fit as many people onto it or into it as you could!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIZxfDMBXV4_ZpoY6Fi_nO3uaUjhyyL4LMoa_bd7hdDFAUtDSFQBL38pFYuH_c2M7goJ0V6at6eEKqoSvUz-9Ic8cVsG9JCtRD25PhYh92oPbADolL00HTMDVeKPSzWW5mO1dKP0s2lJk/s1600/IMG_1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIZxfDMBXV4_ZpoY6Fi_nO3uaUjhyyL4LMoa_bd7hdDFAUtDSFQBL38pFYuH_c2M7goJ0V6at6eEKqoSvUz-9Ic8cVsG9JCtRD25PhYh92oPbADolL00HTMDVeKPSzWW5mO1dKP0s2lJk/s320/IMG_1096.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">In the smaller villages, the most common form of transport was by donkey or horse & cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just loved seeing the kids and old men on their donkeys!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the tour, everyone was pointing them out to me as they knew how excited I got when I saw them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvZHEURINhP4exIrBMyJDqhxuq3EWR6BeXJWsTJ3ARTsd5ZLPqHc49aXth_KnbKukghrmtq_No0GLDv8WYg0WZDjcgBkAq-dGMKqxkAoTVoT2lmHaSFj6c0iTmlHKY0P-7x14soDbU1PQ/s1600/IMG_1555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvZHEURINhP4exIrBMyJDqhxuq3EWR6BeXJWsTJ3ARTsd5ZLPqHc49aXth_KnbKukghrmtq_No0GLDv8WYg0WZDjcgBkAq-dGMKqxkAoTVoT2lmHaSFj6c0iTmlHKY0P-7x14soDbU1PQ/s320/IMG_1555.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Walking across the road was like playing Russian roulette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the larger towns, the trick was to wait until a local crossed the road and then just shelter close beside them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Markets, you had to continually dodge a donkey or motorbike or man pushing a cart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was another world over there!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As for the local souks (markets)..wow!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were AMAZING!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost everything you could possibly think of was up for sale. They had Jeanie lamps, clothes & shoes (very impressive pointy shoes and those lovely jellabas), ceramic wares, tea sets, carpets, lamp shades, woodwork & leather goods, spices, every type of food stuff you could think of including a camel’s head (yes…camel head!!), jewellery and countless other crafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I marveled at their artistic ability to present their wares in such a colourful and creative way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Medina’s (old city) of Marrakech & Fes (which housed the larger two markets we visited), it was like walking through endless rabbit warrens full of Moroccan treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I wasn’t with the others in the tour group, I am sure I would still be in there trying to found my way out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViM_HhmVqRsh0zWyYRVrO6tmnc0jgCloVzjqUXXRL3EIoAW0M1YoeFLrVVEGZSMRno12NWs-McFZw_DySbUTyGa2cu6diV7pGiFDWxI3fGLeOj6jib7qm3UfgdZjR61aDFCi0ViDMP3oZ/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViM_HhmVqRsh0zWyYRVrO6tmnc0jgCloVzjqUXXRL3EIoAW0M1YoeFLrVVEGZSMRno12NWs-McFZw_DySbUTyGa2cu6diV7pGiFDWxI3fGLeOj6jib7qm3UfgdZjR61aDFCi0ViDMP3oZ/s320/IMG_1368.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, in the square in Marrakech they also had the snake charmers, where the cobra’s stand up to the sound of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow, Wow, Wow.!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in Fes we got to see the amazing leather dye-pits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really appreciate the job that you have when you see what these poor men do for a living!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWu8rJCcQk-ebAO4u_Yy3ku_LQeaexP7ANS9RZJzbF2gi2qwhDuxLmnvNv3OaX-VoqsbeoDW_gT1ZWbD3NfW2GbVMgBUDQT3g0iGheDuSfDzNF4WTs-aY0L9sBnZr12yANhyTUqpVxsRP/s1600/IMG_1813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWu8rJCcQk-ebAO4u_Yy3ku_LQeaexP7ANS9RZJzbF2gi2qwhDuxLmnvNv3OaX-VoqsbeoDW_gT1ZWbD3NfW2GbVMgBUDQT3g0iGheDuSfDzNF4WTs-aY0L9sBnZr12yANhyTUqpVxsRP/s320/IMG_1813.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The tiring part were the Moroccan men who would follow you and continue to try and barter with you even though you had walked past their stall and said you weren’t interested. Hhmm, okay, maybe I didn’t quite run away from the nice Moroccan man at the jewellery shop </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, he was right when he said I couldn’t possibly leave Morocco without something to remind me of his amazing country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was easily convinced that his lovely wide silver bracelet would do the trick!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sure to fondly remember Morocco as I now glance down at my wrist.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then of course I was absolutely forced to purchase two Guess T-shirts (with bling on the front) because I had to use up all my Moroccan money (Dirhams) before I flew out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How fortunate for me that they had a few ‘normal’ clothing stalls at the Markets in Casablanca.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May have been a little warm to wear a ‘jellaba’ in Cairns??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there may have been just a couple of other minor purchases along the way…….to have more Moroccan memories of course!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As for the Moroccan food…just wonderful!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three course meals for lunch & dinner…full of spice & flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, for the first week at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My overindulgence may have caused me to get a bout of diarrhea after that, so I held back somewhat in the second week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six out of the eight on the tour suffered the same fate towards the end of the tour, so the Imodium (medicine for the runs) and toilet paper (no guarantee of finding any in the Moroccan toilets) were readily being passed around!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart went out to poor Jill who got her bout of the runs at a point where the only available toilet was the squat one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…she dropped her roll of toilet paper on the ground as she was about to use it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tKCusoeYN0n1Xot3wk-TFsTP0zNlVLLUIkq5dc6FlMJiDDHxaQ4UinzEgbPl1J3WUGr0mqRyegZBzv6WBXWif19KolOOUWCCHNmH297jbxFbbbUKfMZNZg0bLh7q-hTFyYakV8L32JgY/s1600/IMG_4261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4tKCusoeYN0n1Xot3wk-TFsTP0zNlVLLUIkq5dc6FlMJiDDHxaQ4UinzEgbPl1J3WUGr0mqRyegZBzv6WBXWif19KolOOUWCCHNmH297jbxFbbbUKfMZNZg0bLh7q-hTFyYakV8L32JgY/s320/IMG_4261.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We stayed in nice hotels along the way, except for our one night out in the Sahara Desert, where we stayed in a desert camp. They had a huge tent which was sectioned off with two beds in each section and we had camp stretchers for beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost like a desert Hilton??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Camel ride out there was great!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind you, I hope never to have to ride one again (my poor thighs), but it was amazing to be sauntering over the sand dunes in a convoy of camels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking photos while one is trying to hang on was a feat but I managed to get a few shots off that weren’t blurred. I didn’t quite get my dream camel shadow photo, but had fun trying. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hMDvWhWJpNojKmAYTbt8P-ddNMJ_EQxAhb8hyphenhyphenxTKFT8CGcJepHY-ayeJ_b7HTkp7Z4admVK3egE47qzgHlH9WSN478p7vtsIhQ6HJXRwm3I1etMrNFhb7BFd0NmOQ53n2kqysJP7MKUl/s1600/IMG_2682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hMDvWhWJpNojKmAYTbt8P-ddNMJ_EQxAhb8hyphenhyphenxTKFT8CGcJepHY-ayeJ_b7HTkp7Z4admVK3egE47qzgHlH9WSN478p7vtsIhQ6HJXRwm3I1etMrNFhb7BFd0NmOQ53n2kqysJP7MKUl/s320/IMG_2682.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After reaching the desert camp, we stood on the sand dunes and watched the sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was just lovely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">We were again provided with a three course meal and entertainment. There was no shortage of food on this tour!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh it was so quiet and dark when all the lights went out and everyone went to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t you just hate it at times like this, when you have to go to the loo in the middle of the night!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God I had a small torch because finding the toilet tent by star light was never going to happen without waking everyone in the desert and peeing in someone’s tent!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I mention a shower….no…we apparently didn’t need one because we all just looked lovely in the same clothes we had worn all day, on the camel, then to bed, and then the next morning until we made it back to civilization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s these wonderful cultural experiences that make you appreciate the little things like a long hot shower and a flushing toilet!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As part of our tour, we were also taken to a small village where we shared a meal with a local Berber family as another ‘cultural’ experience. They accepted us into their home and made us feel extremely welcome. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All was going wonderfully until they brought out a large dish of cus cus and chicken for the second course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had been seated in two groups and they handed out spoons to eat with, but at our table we were short one spoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t been feeling well, so I handed my spoon to one of the others to use as I was opting out of the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the lady saw that we were one short, she went away and returned with a spoon, which I just placed on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady then sat down beside me and used her hand to dip into the large dish of cus cus and proudly showed us how she could roll a handful of cus cus into a ball, all the while using the palm of one hand. Most ingenious!! She then popped the ball of cus cus into her mouth and ate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She repeated this several times as we sat watching ‘that hand’ continually being dipped into our meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all thought, oh well, at least she is grabbing it from the same area…..until she decided to flick the remains of the cus cus from her hand back into the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh but wait…she also had some cus cus stuck to her mouth, so she wiped that with the same hand and again flicked the bits of cus cus back into our dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few more mouth fulls, she then left the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of us just stared at the cus cus meal not knowing what to do next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking how fortunate I was that I hadn’t intended eating it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others were grateful that they had eaten plenty during the first course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was maybe not a cultural trait that we wished to take back home with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, there was quite a large amount of cus cus which remained uneaten! Oh, and about that spoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently the ladies husband had been eating with it at the other groups table and she just grabbed it out of his hands and took it over to our table for me to use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously a very generous and caring family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy to do without for the sake of their guests?? So again, it was fortunate I wasn’t eating cus cus that day!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Of all the cities we went to ‘Chefchaouen’ (the white washed mountain village) was without question my favourite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was reported to be one of the prettiest towns in Morocco and it most definitely was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fell in love with the bright blue buildings and narrow lanes and the friendliness of all the locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were only there for a day, but I could have easily stayed a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount of photos I took could indicate I stayed a week, but it is just remarkable how many photos one can take within a 2 hour period??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C-gFfA5Ig5-3TpLt0IBjTM7jnfEGiI5oK4LaMK7jZRxt07XIz47aQ3hRkae82eclbpVptWYAeqDf_vTDATPNF3AfcwY6E3-FiwAmlYZnA4slSf0yHl3zcliSUh1s45sZ9n_Q2clBzm0a/s1600/IMG_3709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C-gFfA5Ig5-3TpLt0IBjTM7jnfEGiI5oK4LaMK7jZRxt07XIz47aQ3hRkae82eclbpVptWYAeqDf_vTDATPNF3AfcwY6E3-FiwAmlYZnA4slSf0yHl3zcliSUh1s45sZ9n_Q2clBzm0a/s320/IMG_3709.jpg" t$="true" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I found out quite early in the trip that the locals didn’t like their photos being taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After being yelled at a number of times, I very quickly learnt that if I wanted to photograph the people, I had to either pay for the privilege or do a sneaky sneaky one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a little disappointing that I wasn’t able to photograph all the amazing characters that we saw walking around the villages & sitting at the markets, but still so wonderful to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6NcNa7xrSMerFDkOpsZc8iffOGBiNP1XRYDd3Wmj3secd5yNWlnJCVGeYMBDgfaKsYZgUY1AD0PoIbSzNOdZtQMis9WSxFGToVlnP-pFz14NrRcNwzHcv8Vru2J5UqjMFT4xjn3l9w1-/s1600/IMG_1480+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6NcNa7xrSMerFDkOpsZc8iffOGBiNP1XRYDd3Wmj3secd5yNWlnJCVGeYMBDgfaKsYZgUY1AD0PoIbSzNOdZtQMis9WSxFGToVlnP-pFz14NrRcNwzHcv8Vru2J5UqjMFT4xjn3l9w1-/s320/IMG_1480+copy.jpg" t$="true" width="228" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">As for my tour group, I consider myself to be very fortunate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all got along great and spent most of the two weeks doing everything together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The eighth person, Rosie (from Melbourne) ended up making it on the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you believe she missed her plane in Paris on the way over!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of how lucky I was that I actually made my flight to Morocco!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And once again I consider myself lucky to have made the flight back to Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to do that last minute pee before hopping on a plane and went to the public toilets at the Casablanca Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a short line up, so two cleaners that were at the toilets indicated for me to use the disabled toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All good until I tried to get back out of the cubicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lock on the toilet door became stuck and no matter how much I wriggled, pulled, pushed, turned it…nope…I was locked in solid!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I prayed that the cleaners were still outside the door and started knocking on the door and calling out that the door wouldn’t open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured that they couldn’t understand what I was saying, but the knocking may indicate some assistance was required???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, after much effort on their behalf to bash at the door, they finally got me out!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, for a few minutes there, I was a little concerned!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And in a nutshell, that was my Moroccan experience!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw heaps, ate heaps, photographed heaps, pooed heaps and um…bought heaps??</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiv8r1c8IwFMgBQi0gpomTK9cqDH5IRUtVwJ9dLFXu-agYOGZqRjKEdhvKYWZtWGms2nqSta1jRkx1cznCvOT2_Me8KEeJmh8fshaN5B1w4VMctQCellWX2d7wz0DaKQz1cU9Dnia67rE/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSiv8r1c8IwFMgBQi0gpomTK9cqDH5IRUtVwJ9dLFXu-agYOGZqRjKEdhvKYWZtWGms2nqSta1jRkx1cznCvOT2_Me8KEeJmh8fshaN5B1w4VMctQCellWX2d7wz0DaKQz1cU9Dnia67rE/s320/IMG_1291.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">After Morocco, I returned to Rome for 3 nights and am currently in the middle of my 5 night stay back in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll send another email soon to update you on the past week and the week ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry this email took some time in coming out but I caught the dreaded chest cold in Morocco and my poor head is still not thinking as clearly as I would like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gone through a course of antibiotics, a bottle of cough medicine and three boxes of tissues and shortly I am about to go out and buy my 4<sup>th</sup> box of tissues!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, it is all part of the holiday experience…collecting other people’s germs (oh, and spreading them)!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope all is great with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I miss you all!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-71737145451560187642011-07-17T07:39:00.000+10:002011-07-17T07:39:54.616+10:00A quick one from Morocco 16.7.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hey, it’s me again already….</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I arrived safely in Morocco and am in a lovely Hotel (with free internet).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After walking around the streets outside, I am thinking this Hotel is one of the loveliest, friendliest and safest places to be (when one is still on their own in Casablanca), so I thought I would send a very quick</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> email to pass the time until I meet with my tour group at 6pm tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plus I had a little story to share, and couldn’t wait two weeks to tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up at 4am this morning as I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time to catch the 5.30am Metro into the main Train Station (Termini) in Rome, to then catch the 6.23am train out to the Airport (takes 30 minutes).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My flight to Morocco left at 9am and I was told to be there 2 hours early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all went as planned I would have been there by 6.53am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had gone to the Termini Train Station yesterday to check which platform the Airport Train left from and where I could buy a ticket, and I really couldn’t have been more organized.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, all started off as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made it into the Termini Train Station and bought my ticket and was proudly smiling to myself thinking how proud Melinda would be of me if she could see me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we travelled together 2 years ago, I just followed her around and now here I was the seasoned traveler!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I walked to platform 28 and the train was already waiting there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is often the case, so I confidently jumped on, secured myself a good seat so that I could have my suitcase beside me, and relaxed in preparation for my journey to the Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I would make good use of the half an hour trip and started writing in my travel diary, and we departed shortly after.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We travelled along and stopped a few times at various stations to collect passengers. I did have a fleeting thought that maybe I should confirm with someone that this was in fact the Airport train (as I had thought it was meant to be an express train), but I immediately dismissed the thought, and guessed they must have factored the stops into the half an hour train trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very impressed by the small amount of luggage that these people travelled with…for people that were supposed to be catching the Airport train???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly after, I again wondered whether perhaps I should just confirm with someone that this train was going to the Airport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then this evil little voice in my head replied, “Don’t be silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How embarrassing to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course this is the right train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could you possibly have got on the wrong train?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I continued on writing in my diary as more people got off and on the train. I then started to look at the watch and think, hhmm, still no airport, maybe the train is running a little late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is Italy after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then put my travel diary away and looked out the window and started to see lovely bales of hay in the fields alongside the train tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm, wow, the Airport must be on the real outskirts of the city??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, I now look at my watch again and finally decide I should have been at the airport 10 minutes ago. In all honesty, I was in total denial and just didn’t want to face what was becoming glaringly obvious to me – I was on the WRONG train!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I finally summed up the courage to ask the guy who had just got on the train and sat in front of me. “Umm, excuse me, but is this train going to the Airport?” And then the words I just didn’t want to hear – “No, No, this train is going to Pisa!!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A hot flush overcame me for a few seconds and I let out an “Oh F#@k.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am supposed to be going to the Airport”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A day at Pisa would have been lovely “ANY OTHER DAY”, but perhaps not today!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely guy (and the other guy across the aisle who also heard) then explained that if I got off the train at the next stop I could catch a train back to a particular station and then catch another train to go to the Airport from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So I grabbed my luggage, got off at the next train station ‘Saint Mariella’ (or something like that) and raced into the shop at the station and begged for a taxi to be called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounded like a safer option than catching 2 more trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God only knows where I would have ended up then!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I explained the urgency, he rang the local taxi guy who was still in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 7.25am the taxi driver turned up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked him how long it would take to get to the airport he said 40 or 50 minutes!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time the blood drained from my face!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then explained my predicament and desperate need to get to the Airport as quick as possible and I saw the excitement on his face!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew along the highway, breaking every speed limit and made it in 30 minutes!!! It was worth every cent of the small fortune I had to pay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then raced into the terminal, got through check in, walked through the baggage scan thingy, got through passport control, walked for miles to find the right boarding area (Rome Airport is like a small City), and made it just as people were lining up to board the plane!!! OMG…what a relief!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even had a second to spare to ring Mum as I was lining up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A few lessons now learnt:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">1.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pay attention to the signs – like the really big display signs at the train station which tell you what train to board for your intended destination.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">2.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you get a niggling feeling you are on the wrong train, you probably are!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t listen to that evil inner voice that makes you travel for another half an hour before checking!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">3.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Airport Train IS an express train and does not stop to pick up passengers along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially ones with no luggage!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">4.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Arriving late saves you money as you then don’t have any time to shop at the Duty Free shops??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">5.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, there are nice paddocks of sunflowers and bales of hay that you can view on the train ride between Rome and Pisa….but they are nowhere near the Airport!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 45pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">6.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 7pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When it is finally time to fly home to Cairns, catch a taxi from the B&B straight to the Airport!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The flight was only three hours and seemed to go very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I thought it was quite strange, when we landed in Morocco more than half the people on the plane all let out a big cheer and started clapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did they not expect to land safely??? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Back again...Okay, it is now 10pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have met my new tour group and have not long returned to my room after having dinner with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this stage there are only 7 of us on the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was supposed to be eight, but one lady was a no-show at the Airport today. Hhhmmm, wonder if she is in Pisa???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And can you believe we are all from Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jill & Brian from Torquay, Victoria; Jemma from Wollongong; Debbie from Sydney; Neville & Fiona from Hughenden and me!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone seems lovely, so I can’t wait to get started tomorrow morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And on that note, it is time to head to bed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cheers from Casablanca,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love joy xxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-14968286432962034442011-07-15T19:18:00.000+10:002011-07-15T19:18:32.206+10:00Buon Giorno 14.07.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">14.7.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Buon giorno,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, the time is just flying by!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe a week in Venice and 6 days in Monza (just outside Milan) could go by so quickly!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the God’s were definitely on my side when it came to the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sprinkled rain one morning in Venice and one day in Monza and the rest of the time was glorious sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both cities have summer weather very similar to Cairns spring weather, so I felt right at home (all inclusive of a few days of working up quite a sweat while walking around in the sun).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Have I said how much I love Venice!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have previously described Venice as having a maze of narrow streets, canals, and countless little bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, each morning I would walk out of my apartment into a small narrow street, turn right and then walk down another long narrow street (now lined with shops on either side) then turn left and the street opened to a small piazza with more pretty shops & eatery’s and a few park benches. I would walk through the piazza, go right, walk through several more narrow streets, before the street opened to a huge piazza where there were even more very pretty shops, larger outdoor dining venues, and a Church. This then led to a wider street alongside a canal and a bridge to cross the canal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crossed the bridge and……Read that paragraph over and over and over and over and over again and you will get a good image of walking around the streets of Venice!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Due to my questionable sense of direction, if I liked something in a particular shop I was simply forced to purchase it for fear of never finding it again!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was probably lucky for my credit card that I was somewhat distracted by the coloured buildings (and their decaying façade which gave them their unique appearance), their amazing reflections in the canals, and the never ending stream of gondolas floating down the canals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, please don’t ask how many photos I have taken. If you feel that you need to see 152 different angles of a Gondola, please let me know as I am sure I can assist?? As for coloured buildings, let’s not even go there!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially as I spent 6 hours on Burano Island which is renowned for its coloured buildings and reflections!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even I was shaking my head when I was looking back over my photos (in between yawns). Put a camera in my hand and I’m sure I become possessed!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_m4JPV3UkN6_It2N1UmQ7MPHlwQnZo56R4e6UifOC9HRQK7BuDbMhL7w6PPOOS8G9eONTH-1OBH5G8zJQuvRl4LGtN_rngMFU6ugbDYdUCSp9EHJAHtG7DQHfsSBff27yW_ZTr7hKTd/s1600/burano+island_8392+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX_m4JPV3UkN6_It2N1UmQ7MPHlwQnZo56R4e6UifOC9HRQK7BuDbMhL7w6PPOOS8G9eONTH-1OBH5G8zJQuvRl4LGtN_rngMFU6ugbDYdUCSp9EHJAHtG7DQHfsSBff27yW_ZTr7hKTd/s200/burano+island_8392+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Even my landlady Linda was shaking her head each night when she would see me downloading all my photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, she fed my obsession by giving me directions to a lovely street called ‘Via Garibaldi’. This time, all the narrow streets that led off from this main street had washing hanging out on clothes lines which were strung across the street. Apparently they do this specifically for dedicated photographers like me to take photos…so obviously I had to oblige. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One local who was walking past me clearly must have seen the excitement on my face because she stopped and dragged me around to her street which she said was even better!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you imagine a visitor from overseas coming over to your house and getting excited when they walked outside and saw your laundered clothes hanging from your clothes hoist….hard to believe it is a tourist attraction…but really it is!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have another 152 photos to prove it!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHwT79Dfpob8tubjYc9_cSyluydgOBKnV4a6ubptmh6rdzPbuUZKq5qFVtr_5OyNu4ONHwJNoa6FpgND-ODhzD7b2x5bAEPHL9FuWjZZBycQ7mvrgDeDsBy_Kx8Iv8BKLTxAXajl8yzbz/s1600/venice_9617+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHwT79Dfpob8tubjYc9_cSyluydgOBKnV4a6ubptmh6rdzPbuUZKq5qFVtr_5OyNu4ONHwJNoa6FpgND-ODhzD7b2x5bAEPHL9FuWjZZBycQ7mvrgDeDsBy_Kx8Iv8BKLTxAXajl8yzbz/s200/venice_9617+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">My landlady also reminded me that Venice was only an hour’s train ride away from ‘Verona’…home of Romeo and Juliet!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, of course I had to go there for the day; along with thousands of other tourists looking for romance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, off we all went in search of Juliet’s house and the famous balcony!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember the balcony.…Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou Romeo??? Don’t worry when I found it; I did stop short of screaming from Juliet’s balcony, “Donatello, Donatello, where the bloody hell are ya?? I thought best not scare the other tourists!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the courtyard of Juliet’s house there was also a bronze statue of Juliet with a very polished right breast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently it was good luck (for finding love) to touch this right breast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who starts these traditions???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only in Italy I say!!!! But, who was I to go against tradition?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, along with many grinning males, copped a feel of her breast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLiLaXvpaCkntkw08pE8IFtXcwRdsvllOSzvAP7Dx-LdUMbJ-JjP6tUSELhG_fImayYMUOLBANBc5wlGJZTSYmgSiq0c4Mf-GPJo00VyUsqj0IRK7HW8dM-LOYbQddArA7DFsBSp1RqnZ/s1600/verona+juliets+boob_9937+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLiLaXvpaCkntkw08pE8IFtXcwRdsvllOSzvAP7Dx-LdUMbJ-JjP6tUSELhG_fImayYMUOLBANBc5wlGJZTSYmgSiq0c4Mf-GPJo00VyUsqj0IRK7HW8dM-LOYbQddArA7DFsBSp1RqnZ/s200/verona+juliets+boob_9937+copy.jpg" width="119" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">You also have the opportunity to send a letter to Juliet about your search for love and somebody actually replies to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now with the advancement of technology, they actually have computers set up in one of Juliet’s rooms so that you can email Juliet as well as pop a letter into her mail box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have inadvertently sent an email…….Hey, they also made a movie about this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was called “Letters to Juliet”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very cute movie if you haven’t yet seen it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And this movie has a very happy ending </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Even the walls at the entrance to the courtyard were covered with marker pen (Graffiti) declaring endless love. Hhmm, apart from one that said “Me Bitch”, which I’m sure, was written in an endearing way??? There were also love hearts and names on band-aids, gum, sticky notes, padlocks,…anything that could be attached to the walls and gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were men, women and children everywhere leaving messages of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name “Donatello” may have also made it onto a (clean) band-aid and somehow became attached to the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean…..who carries a marker pen while on holidays???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, Okay, I got caught up in the moment……</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLUOS9lwrQSElXXjjWMLHAt-AMtghOv0Rp2zfl0MXCT12EoFnNwnlLUapThSbQn0sdH3KUROBTLGRp3lgWQsCP43-7d2ilsstD4lgcCGlM41gxT1wtuzFjrxuRFpPf7-bE9qzYz-6A2U0/s1600/verona+graffiti+wall_9924+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLUOS9lwrQSElXXjjWMLHAt-AMtghOv0Rp2zfl0MXCT12EoFnNwnlLUapThSbQn0sdH3KUROBTLGRp3lgWQsCP43-7d2ilsstD4lgcCGlM41gxT1wtuzFjrxuRFpPf7-bE9qzYz-6A2U0/s200/verona+graffiti+wall_9924+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And again I was blessed to have made a new friend in Venice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was on ‘Via Garibaldi’ taking photos when a lady walked up to me and kindly asked if I wanted her to take a photo of me (using my camera).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said yes, and she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then said that she had an hour spare as she was waiting for her husband and daughter (who were looking through a museum) and did I want her to walk with me to other locations where she could take more photos of me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My initial reaction was “Oh my God is she a crazy stalker or can she really be this nice?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, fortunately for me, Adriana was really that nice!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ended up going for a bit of a walk (to take a couple more photos of me) and then sitting down and chatting for the whole hour while she waited for her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was from Prague in Czech Republic, which was a place that had been highly recommended to me as photographers dream to visit (No…I haven’t taken enough photos!!!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we swapped email addresses and later that night she sent me a message offering for me to stay with her family for a few days and they would show me around Prague!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just couldn’t believe my luck!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">That same day, I also received an email from Melinda’s friend Ros (who will be travelling with us around Eastern Europe) to say that she was going to Prague for a few days before meeting up with Melinda in Vienna on the 16<sup>th</sup> of August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SSSooooo, guess who is now going to Prague!!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided it would be easier to stay with Ros for those few nights and then Ros and I will travel together to Vienna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I have arranged to catch up with Adriana while I am there to obtain a local’s point of view of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How exciting!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then before I even blinked, the week was over and I was heading back across the canal in a Vaporetto (water bus) towards the Venice Train Station…and off I went to Monza to visit my next lot of relations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time they were cousins on my Father’s side of the family, who I was again meeting for the very first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a big yes, the Princess re-emerged and found herself a new castle!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh my God…they were amazing!!!! Imelda and Luigi (78 & 79 years) could not do enough for me!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I was told to treat their home as if it was mine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was offered food and cups of tea every 5 minutes; provided with three course meals for lunch AND dinner; had my clothes washed and ironed, and all the while not being allowed to lift a finger to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One afternoon I was sitting on the couch with my feet up, reading a book (after just having finished a cup of tea) and Imelda asked if the ‘Principessa’ (Italian for Princess) wanted anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A crown would have been nice???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">They also had an apartment in a gorgeous town called Barzio up in the mountains, so we went there for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was wonderful!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luigi and I took a gondola up to the top of the mountain and went for a lovely walk and then that afternoon Imelda and I went for a walk around the city centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked into her favourite funky jewellery store and she MADE me pick out an item that she wanted to buy for me so that I could remember her when I wore it!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I am now the proud owner of a new silver necklace with two flower pendants!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">But wait, there’s more….they used to own a store (which sold clothing, lingerie etc) and it is now run by her son Maurizio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, we dropped into the store so I could meet Maurizio and see the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While she was showing me around, we walked past some lovely bra’s in one of the display cabinets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have lingered in front of one particular bra for a second too long because before I knew it, she was sizing me up and I was in the dressing room trying it on!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely Italian bra (AND matching panties) soon became another gift by which I could remember her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, hopefully not quite at that moment that I am showing them off to Donatello??? Oh, I also scored pretty blue top as well………….. Imelda only has the one child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if I had stayed any longer, she may have just found a daughter!!! Oopps, sorry Mum, but you already have two others….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And Nnoooo, the gifts don’t stop there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was invited over for lunch at their son and daughter-in-law’s house, they also felt the need to shower me with gifts!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave me a lovely trendy little bag which is shaped like a flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just gorgeous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Loreedana (the daughter-in-law) and her two kids also spent the day with me in Milan yesterday and took me to see the famous Duomo and the Art museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to follow up with what we saw in the museum, Loreedana then went into a book store and searched out and purchased an English version of the book “The Betrothed” for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back cover reads “A vigorous portrayal of enduring passion “The betrothed’s” exploration of love, power and faith present a whirling panorama of seventeenth century Italian life and is one of the greatest European historical novels. The generosity of these wonderful people just didn’t end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I was taken for guided walks around their park and city centre and the Monza Autodrome race circuit (which is where they hold the Formula One Italian Grand Prix….your husbands might be interested in that one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire family also took me for a drive to see some wonderful lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when they found out about my gelati fetish, they ensured that it was catered for on a daily basis!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also introduced to Imelda’s sister (another of Dad’s cousins) and received a phone call from another cousin who had heard I was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six days just wasn’t long enough!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imelda wanted me to stay for two weeks and I would have except I already had set plans.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">So once again, there was a teary good-bye and lots of hugs and kisses at the train station this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you were wondering, none of them spoke English, so the whole experience was even more amazing for me knowing I could communicate well enough now make myself understood.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And now I am back in Rome for two nights, before heading off on my next adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That adventure being “Morocco”!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fly to Morocco on Saturday for a two week tour before returning to Rome on the 31<sup>st</sup> July.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear the internet access over there is a little scarce, so if you don’t hear from me for a couple of weeks, let’s just hope that it is not because I have been sold off for a herd of camels!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope all is great with you!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love & happiness to you always,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Joy xxxxxxx</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">p.s. I have had so many requests for photos, that I have added a few to give you some idea of the photographic temptations I was faced with in Venice.</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-82193767632756099302011-07-04T16:26:00.002+10:002011-07-04T16:26:49.217+10:00Ciao from Venice - 2.07.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Buona Sera miei amici,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, can you believe it is July already!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have now officially been in Italy for two months!! Does that mean I should be writing this email in Italian??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother suggested that I should and then it would at least guarantee that the email would be shorter….not nice!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, I am sitting here in my cosy little apartment in Venice, having arrived yesterday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found this apartment using a website called Airbnb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This website allows people to advertise a room for rent in their own private homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which means the apartment comes with a little 71 year old Italian lady called Linda (who is the owner of the apartment).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only do I have my own huge room; free reign to use all the facilities in the apartment; but dearest Linda also washes my clothes, makes my breakfast, and for the last two days has also washed up my dishes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am getting more free Italian lessons as she can’t speak a word of English!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just perfect!! I am now keeping my fingers crossed that by the end of the week, I will even score a home cooked meal!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The apartment is in a great location and today I walked EVERYWHERE!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up early and headed out to catch the best ‘photographic light’ of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was just glorious, with a light cool breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the best part was that most tourists sleep in…so there weren’t many people around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously a different story this afternoon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was forced to do some shopping, as there were just too many people in front of all the monuments???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I was quite disappointed in the gelati I ate yesterday, so I thought I had better taste test another one today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately for the Venice gelati reputation, it was a lot better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you know that eating gelati also increases your social interaction?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat down on a park bench while I ate it and an older couple sat down beside me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got into a conversation and by the end of it they gave me their phone number and said if I made it to Padova (which was their hometown 20 mins outside of Venice), that I should give them a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were just lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, they only spoke Italian, so I am obviously getting better!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time I paused to try to think of the Italian word for whatever it was I was trying to say, they told me to take my time as I was doing very well!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My teachers at the language school would be very proud of me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, and the lighting was obviously still good at that time because they were “most surprised” by my age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I didn’t tell them I was 35…they just thought I was!!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm…he did say his eyes weren’t as good as what they used to be….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I think it is all the gelati that is smoothing out my face (or was that rounding out my face??).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow, I am so beginning to LOVE public transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have thought that many hours on a train or plane or bus could result in so many new friendships!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was sitting on the train going from Rome to Sicily, I had a pile of books beside me, as it is a 10 hour train ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my book called “New Earth – Create a better Life” (which made it into Oprah’s book club!!); a journal called “The Secret Gratitude Book”; and another journal with “All my thoughts & the Heart Talks” written on the cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These books grabbed the attention of the guy seated beside me, and he initiated a conversation by pointing to them and saying, “hhmmm, doing some reading?” I just started laughing and we got along fabulously after that! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He later admitted to thinking that I was an American going through some type of midlife crisis!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure how far off he was…maybe wrong country??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvatore was Italian (and now lives in Brussels in Belgium) but spoke perfect English as he worked for 5 years in the Italian embassy in Melbourne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And can you believe he was friends with the two guys that helped me out with my Visa Application in Brisbane!!! It can be such a small world sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salvatore was wearing very pretty shorts at the time (denim with a red cuff with white poker dots), and I couldn’t quite work out whether he was very trendy or …um..er…very gay??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, and on the Train from Rome to Venice, I also met some great people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl sitting beside me was a touch-up artist for a professional photographer in Melbourne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which meant that she was a photoshop guru!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got so excited I almost hugged her!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And yes, once again I had a fabulous time in Sicily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four nights just weren’t long enough!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although my clothing would disagree!! My favourite jeans have become somewhat snug and I may either have to considerably increase my daily exercise or buy another pair of jeans???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, it was with great foresight that I brought my ‘bigger’ shorts over on holidays with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The first night I arrived in Sicily, the whole family (all 18 of them) plus me, went out for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Monday and Tuesday nights I went out for pizza with my cousin; after I had eaten a huge pasta lunch with Maria & Nino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then on Wednesday as a special treat for me, Maria and Nino made a special type of bread filled with tomato, cheese, potato and bacon, in their wood-fire oven (as well as numerous loaves of bread) and the whole family turned up for lunch!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in between all that, I managed to find space to squeeze in 3 gelati’s as well!!! Yes, I know…my name is Joy and I am a Gelati- aholic!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and you should have seen the food bag that Maria put together for me for the train trip on Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two days later, and I still have left-overs!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I am very happy to say that my visa is now all sorted!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks only due to Maria’s son-in-law being a police officer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came with me on Wednesday to the Immigration Office and Police Department and it was only due to the fact that he knew the staff there that my application was processed, otherwise I would still be waiting in line behind the other 300 African refugees trying to get a visa!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t they know how much money I am spending here on food, not to mention the other few minor purchases…..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am helping their economy!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need me!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmmm, maybe I should go to Greece as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear they are not doing so well at the moment??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, it was really hard to say good-bye to everyone this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially knowing that I may never see Maria and Nino again was pretty tough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there were tears!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to say good-bye to Nino the night before I left as he was getting up at 4am to go to the markets and I would miss him in the morning. Well, that morning Maria showed me a little note Nino wrote out in Italian to give to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It translated to say, “Good-bye Joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish you good luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the sweetest girl in the World.” How special was that!!!! I feel like part of me will always remain with my new Sicilian family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And part of Sicily has also come with me…..in the form of a few extra kilos!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">From Sicily I then returned to Rome for one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the train back to Rome I was privileged to meet another wonderful Sicilian couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And can you believe their names were also Nino and Maria!! They looked after me like I was their daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have any water with me on the train, so they gave me one of their bottles and then refilled it for me when I finished it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Maria looked after my bags while I went up on the deck of the barge with Nino (when we crossed over from Sicily to Italy).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when we arrived in Rome, not only did they help me with my luggage, but they bought and paid for my ticket for the Metro (underground train) and walked with me to catch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am meeting the most amazing and generous people on this holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some days I feel so blessed!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And as I have been back to the same B & B in Rome 4 times, I am now greeted by hugs and kisses from the owners when I arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The afternoon before I left for Sicily, I was wandering around Rome when Friedrich (one of the owners), rang me to let me know another Australian had arrived at the B & B, in case I was interested in catching up with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I returned to the B & B, I was introduced to Glen, who was from Brisbane!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FINALLY, I have met another Queenslander!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glen was so nice and just loved to chat (an instant common interest!!!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked for about 4 hours before I had to rush off to pack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew everything you could possibly know about computers and electronic gadgets and I now have a new appreciation for my Mac computer which awaits me at home!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, he is now a facebook friend!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">When I started off writing this email, I was going to begin by saying that this email would be a short one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry…Glen is not the only one who loves to chat!!! One last little story…</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was in Rome I took the metro to one of the outer train stations, where I then had to catch a bus to Tivoli.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I thought I had better go to the loo at the train station before catching the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scary, scary experience!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the strangest toilet I have been in so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a self-cleaning toilet, and I don’t mean just the bowl!!! I mean the entire room!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had to walk into this steel chamber and get locked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything was wet from being washed continually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so scared that it would start cleaning while I was in there that I could hardly pee!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about feeling claustrophobic!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I almost had a panic attack when I couldn’t work out how to get out of there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The big red button did it, but I was worried that was the ‘cleaning’ button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and yes, I did have to pay 80 cents for the privilege of using it!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The gardens at Tivoli were lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met up with Vincenzo who showed me around both estates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first one was beautiful with gorgeous fountains, however the second one was like doing the blue arrow walk in Cairns (many, many steps up and down through the bush) to find a waterfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vincenzo thought it was a great idea for me to see both the man-made structures (fountains) and the natural ones (waterfalls).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a great idea too when I handed him my daypack to carry back up the hill!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, Okay, I’m going before you have to make a second cup of coffee/tea/bottle of wine??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope you are all well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking of you all heaps.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxxxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-2840157705581013712011-06-24T17:16:00.000+10:002011-06-24T17:16:20.272+10:00Buon Giorno from Spello 23.6.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I started writing this email while sitting on a park bench in a small piazza in a gorgeous little Umbrian town called Spello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Umbria is the Region next to Tuscany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a beautiful garden bed of flowers in front of me; a lovely fountain on my left; and I could hear the couple who were sitting on the park bench on my right chatting away in Italian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather was a perfect sunny day and I was sitting there contemplating when I was going to have my first Spello gelati!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, didn’t I tell you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided that it is my duty to taste test the gelati’s in each town. I then headed off in search of my now favourite flavour, Niccola. And that was as far as I got with the email!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually I did write out a few pages, but when I just re-read it, I realized you would have needed a whole bottle of wine to dull the pain, so I have started again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I had been sitting on the park bench in the hot sun for too long!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I arrived in Spello yesterday and after seeing what a gorgeous little town it was, I decided to stay two nights instead of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It certainly made the decision easier when I saw my lovely Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My wonderful spacious room has a queen bed and a window which opens up to a view of the valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is three times the size of the cupboard I stayed in, in Perugia!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and the staff are so friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman at the front desk even insisted on carrying my luggage up the stairs for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry…I helped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I do feel that soon I am going to have to put a big red sticker on it saying “<span style="color: red;">Warning. Shopaholic Abroad. Bending knees when lifting is recommended</span>”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am getting quite used to seeing the look of grimace (then horror), on taxi driver’s faces when they start to lift it into the back of their taxi. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First they try and lift it with just one hand, and upon realizing that they can’t even budge it, they then search for the second handle, and steady themselves before the big heave ho into the boot. I’ve learnt to say, “Si, e’ troppo pesante”, which translates to “Yes, it’s too heavy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They then give me a look as if to say, how the hell did you get it this far?? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a pretty sight, let me tell you!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should be grateful they weren’t carrying it up and down the steps of the train station, not to mention attempting to lift it up into the train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other day, I managed to lift it up onto the first step of the train, to then realize that the doorway wasn’t wide enough to fit me and the suitcase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I am standing on the platform, with my luggage blocking the steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a split second I thought my luggage was going for a train ride without me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then used all my strength to lift/push/shove it up the next two steps and then climb on just before the train doors closed. I think I need to start giving clothes to charity!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, where was I…Spello, that’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a competition on in the town at the moment, which is a bit like a ‘best garden’ competition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Except, the houses here rarely have yards, so instead they hang gorgeous flower pots around their windows, front doors and front steps. Some streets are just lined with these gorgeous flower pots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So lovely!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people are also buzzing about a flower festival which is on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the town folk work all night Saturday night to line the streets with artwork made from flower petals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I saw heaps of elderly folk pulling apart shrubs in preparation for the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a chat to one old man sitting in the street doing it (after which he proudly posed for a photo)!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that they usually get about 50,000 tourists coming through the town to see it. While I won’t be here on Sunday, I went to a similar festival in Sicily and it was truly amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Okay, I just realized that you are probably wondering what happened between my last email and arriving in Spello? Or maybe not, but you should know me by now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell you anyway!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">You know how I keep referring to the “Eat, Pray, Love” movie I am living, well I saw an English copy of the book sitting in the front window of a book store in Siena last week. So I decided to pick up the book and read the last few pages because I couldn’t remember exactly how the book/movie ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay…well…hhmmm...it appears that my movie version will have a different ending!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we will always remain good friends, Mauro and I will not be driving off into the Tuscan countryside to live happily ever after!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, not together anyway. Sorry Mum if you had got your hopes up!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It was however a wonderful holiday romance and I am indebted to Mauro for making my four weeks in Siena four of the best weeks of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I do have some nice photos of myself, compliments of Mauro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I was taking photos of the Tuscan hillside, Mauro was taking photos of me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently I get this cute (his words) little expression on my face each time I get excited by a photo opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen those particular photos of myself, and ‘cute’ is not a word that springs to mind!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more a look of deep concentration, while contorting my lips as if in some bizarre ritual???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will give it to Italian men though, for saying all the right things at the right time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was an expert at it!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">HHhmmm, although maybe not all Italian men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I was walking back to my apartment when the gentleman walking beside me asked for the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied in Italian and he then excitedly started chatting to me as we walked along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he found out that I was there studying Italian he asked if I wanted to go for a drink so we could ‘practice’ my Italian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you picture in your mind what a sleazy, yet well dressed Italian looks like (all inclusive of dark sunglasses and gold chains), you wouldn’t be far off the mark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I thanked him for his kind (?) offer and found an escape route in a nearby shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, three days later, I was standing in the piazza in Siena when I saw the same gentleman about to walk past me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped and then turned back towards me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought, “Oh no, he’s recognized me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But nnnoooo!!! He asked me for the time again!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was about to say, “its time you bought a watch”, but instead I just tilted my watch towards him and said nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time he quietly walked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thinking it must work for him as a pick up line or surely he would have thought of something new???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I will put it to the test one day and let you know if it works!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">My third and final week of Italian lessons went way too fast!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can proudly say that I have learnt heaps and am able to hold a reasonable (although somewhat disjointed) conversation now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I went to my ‘parrucchiera’ (yes, very strange Italian word that stands for hairdresser) I was able to chat to her for an hour while she put foils in my hair. Again at times it was a bit like multiple choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would say a string of Italian words and she would then repeat three possible sentences that I may have been trying to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was just lovely and the colour turned out fine!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It was very sad saying good-bye to my flatmate Hilda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was quite the character and I loved her philosophy on life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believed in Destiny and that we all have a certain path in life that is already mapped out for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that if you stray from the path, then the universe will present things to you to try and get you back on track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even drew me a diagram during breakfast one morning to explain “il destino”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to find out what is on my path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope there are lots of shops that line each side of the path???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely if I am going to give some clothes to charity, they will need to be replaced at some stage!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hilda also introduced me to a friend of hers, Vincenzo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As fate may have it, Vincenzo lives in Tivoli, which is a town just an hour outside of Rome that is full of famous fountains & gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cousin Rosaria had recommended that I go there and I had planned to do that when I next returned to Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, guess who is lined up to be my tour guide of the gardens in Tivoli <u>this</u> Saturday!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, after a last good-bye dinner with Mauro Friday night, I had to say good-bye to Siena Saturday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the train station (yes, by one of those poor taxi drivers), and off I went to Cortona for 2 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cortona was the setting for the other fabulous movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm, come to think of it, Diane Lane ended up single at the end of that movie!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Cortona is one of the oldest and most scenic hill towns in Tuscany and was just lovely!!! I was staying in a beautiful old hotel right in the centre of the historic town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can assure you, it is not called a ‘hill’ town for no reason!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked up and down so many hills I’m sure I wore off all three of the gelati’s I ate while I was there!!! Um… am not so sure about the whopping big pizza and pasta dish I ate…. ..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, that’s right, I think I wore those off in Perugia, which was the next town I stayed in for 2 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And probably just in the hotel itself!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very happy (?) to find out that I was on the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor and had to carry/drag my suitcase up 5 flights of stairs to get to the 2<sup>nd</sup> floor!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking just before I got there that I would need to ensure that I did a lot of walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, careful what you wish for!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did 2 trips to take my luggage up (as my day pack weighs almost as much as my suitcase).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then found out the toilet didn’t flush, so walked back down to reception to tell them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was then given a password for internet access and when I got back to my room it didn’t work, so I walked back down to tell them. Yes, I did try the room phone, but that didn’t work either. Then as I was walking back up the stairs, the hotel key tag fell off the key ring and rolled…yes, you guessed it… all the way back down the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I almost had to have a kindy nap before I saw any of the town!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And of course, there were 500 flights of stairs to get from the hotel to the centre of the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I did buy a lovely new (very lightweight) top in one of the shops in Perugia, so I have fond memories of the town.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">On the second day in Perugia, I took a bus trip out to Assisi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Assisi is a beautiful medieval town and is the burial place of St Francis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is buried in the amazing Basilica di San Francesco which is the huge feature of the town. The church walls are lined with frescoes (artwork) depicting the life of St Francis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You weren’t allowed to take photos in the church, so there were young artists everywhere sitting down sketching the paintings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually contemplated doing it myself, but realized that stick men in robes probably wouldn’t quite capture the beauty? There were priests and nuns walking around the town everywhere, not to mention all the shops being full of Christian memorabilia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like a little pilgrim myself walking from church to church. Note, I didn’t say from shop to shop!!! Okay, maybe just 3 shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One to get lunch, one to get a gelati, and one to buy these cute little hearts that I found???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And yes, I have met some lovely people along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each time I sit down to eat, I somehow find myself in a conversation with the people seated beside me; whether it be at a coffee shop, on the steps of a monument, or on a bench at the train station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been great!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And then of course I took a train to Spello yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leave here tomorrow to go to Rome for two nights and then on Sunday I am returning to my beloved Sicily for 4 nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, it’s definitely time to end it here. I hope this finds you all happy, healthy & enJOYing your life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-41449044943972014752011-06-11T17:57:00.002+10:002011-06-11T17:57:55.434+10:00Still in Siena...10.6.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Gosh, it is almost 2 weeks since my last email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you miss me??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Me…Joy…remember…I am over in Italy living the dream!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I wonder whether I will wake up in my bed in Cairns one day and say ‘did that really happen to me?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However at this point, I am still hoping of course to wake up in an Italian castle one day with my ‘Blue Prince’ beside me and know that it did happen!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, maybe not this week???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hey, a little trivia on the ‘Blue Prince”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend’s gorgeous daughter, Ashlin, emailed me to say that </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“il principe azzuro” does definitely<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>translate to ‘Prince blue’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why in<span style="color: black;"> almost every Disney movie, the ‘princes’ are wearing either blue tights or a blue shirt. </span>She learnt that in HER Italian class!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s always hard to know where to start when there is so much to tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brother told me it takes him 32 minutes to read my “essays”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, this one may take longer, so good time to make a cuppa before you start ‘tackling’ the essay (??).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, better still, make it a glass of vino…I am in Italy after all!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, if you are wondering exactly where I am in Italy, I am still in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am enjoying myself so much I decided to stay a while longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I so love these unplanned holidays!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finished my two weeks of Italian lessons and then decided to stay a third week to use Siena as a base while I did day trips out to the smaller villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great decision (more on that later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now, I have decided that I will stay a fourth week and return to the Italian language school for another week of lessons!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It really is such a wonderful feeling to stay in one place for a whole month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff at the local corner food store (just 2 minutes walk from my apartment) know me now and I get a special ‘Buon Giorno’ when I walk in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pizza place, where I have eaten 5 times (best pizza in Siena) knows which pizza I always order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND, I even have a ‘hairdresser’ now!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a haircut this week and have booked in for foils next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least, I think I have booked in for foils (hair colour).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showed them a piece of alfoil and pointed to the top of my head…so I think that’s what I am getting???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely the couple of grey hairs, which insist on sticking straight up in the air on the top of my head, were a dead giveaway that something needed to be done!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And done soon!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fear if I pluck any more grey hairs out, they will be applying paste for ‘hair growth’ instead of ‘colour’.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly, I had to say good-bye to my flatmate Magdalena last Thursday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However it is funny how fate works, as my new flatmate Hilda (who moved in last Saturday) is also attending the same language school as I am (but in a more advanced class).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is from Slovakia and speaks NO English, so we have to communicate in Italian!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I was thinking I was having a break from my Italian lessons, but no, she had different ideas!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s almost like living with an Italian school headmistress!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She makes me repeat everything if I don’t pronounce it right, and she even had me writing down words that I will find important for the future… to make sure I remembered them!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I think it was my homework.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told me I had to study them before she got back from her class!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND she gave me her radio and said I had to listen to the Italian songs AND she gave me her digital recorder (where she had taped herself speaking Italian) and told me I had to listen to her because it was good practice!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHHmm..yes, the Slovakian Hitler….</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh to be fair, Hitler Hilda does actually have a softer side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made me dinner last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very very nice fish dish with seasoned vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said we should have a balanced diet as all the pasta we have been eating is not great for the waistline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is she trying to tell me something???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmmm, maybe it was when she saw me balancing a gelati in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other (Joy’s idea of a balanced diet??).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Actually the “Eat” part of my very own “Eat, Pray, Love” movie continues in a big way. I’ve had many lunches (pranzo) and dinners (cena) out to ensure that I am experiencing much of Siena’s finest culinary delights. Gosh these Italians can cook!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve tried their herb seasoned steak a couple of times now and it is to die for!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, I have received very disapproving looks when I have asked for the steak to be well done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently it is something you should eat ‘rare’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends were eating it rare (or ‘raw’ in my opinion) and I swear their steak was about to ‘moo’ at me!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the pasta lunches I had recently was in a small Italian village called Monte Oliveto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a whole Italian family cooking in a small shed type kitchen and on a BBQ in their back yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The back of a house was converted into a huge dining room and a heap of the locals from the village had come for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a public holiday in Italy that day, so this was their way of getting together with the family to celebrate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat at the end of a table and it felt like I was back in Sicily at one of their huge family gatherings. Loud, lots of Italian, lots of laughter and of course, lots of food!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment I will always remember……..</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve been fortunate now to have travelled out to quite a few of the smaller villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>WOW, WOW, WOW is all I can say about the Tuscan countryside!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have taken some of the best photos of my holiday so far this past week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amazing patchwork of green; the shapes created by the trees, vineyards, the sloping hills; and their shadows … the beauty of which really can’t accurately be described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the villages themselves are so full of character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cobbled streets, medieval alleyways, enchanting piazzas and Romanesque churches (Duomos) are a photographers dream come true. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">For this week’s school excursion we went to hilltop Montalcino, which sits at the heart of vineyards that produce Brunello wine, which is one of Italy’s finest red wines (could you tell I typed that straight from the Eyewitness Travel Guide??).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got to taste 3 of them!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wine, that is!!! The first and last wine was very nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second one made my hair curl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ewwhhh!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they left that one in the barrel too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmm, every seasoned wine drinker is probably thinking that I should have said they took it out of the barrel too soon!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Last weekend, I was very privileged that Mauro’s personal Italian tuition also extended to personal excursions through the Tuscan countryside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should receive a medal for his patience!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without once complaining, he stopped the car every 100 metres so I could get a ‘better’ photo of the glorious hillside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">On Monday I took a bus out to San Gimignamo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>San Gimignamo’s majestic skyline is dominated by 13 ancient towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I wrote that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, okay…I stole that from the Travel book too!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, all I can say is that it is not the town to visit on your own if you have no sense of direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because you will see the same thing 6 times if you continually walk around in circles!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you heard the saying ‘every road leads you somewhere’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, no matter what road I took, I ended up somewhere alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>’Somewhere’ = ‘Same place’!!! The only problem was that I had seen a really nice ring in a jewellery store that was NOT located at the ‘same place’ that I continually ended up at!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was by some stroke of luck that I was attracted to some pretty blue flags hanging from an archway….which then led me to ANOTHER place where I finally found the lovely jewellery store again!!! So, after a wonderful conversation with a nice Italian gentlemen (where I practiced my Italian bartering), I scored myself a very nice amethyst argento ring!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No stress involved in the weight of this delightful purchase!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmm, errhh…there have been a couple of other minor purchases through the week, but I needed everything I bought, okay!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Did I tell you that I am returning to Sicily for 4 nights at the end of this month??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was given an appointment with the Catania Police regarding my Visa application (to remain in Italy for 6 months) and they wouldn’t allow me to attend at any other Police Station in Italy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of me wants to say a huge thank you to Italian bureaucracy!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am so excited about going back to Sicily and seeing everyone again!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rang Maria this morning and she was as excited as I am!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder what will be on the menu for my welcome home dinner </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, do you recall the lovely couple, Andrea & Angie, who I met on the plane that offered the house-sitting in Tuscany? Well, I took a train ride out to their place last week to have dinner with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had the best conversation over a delicious 3 course meal (that Angie prepared)!! While I won’t be house-sitting, as the dates didn’t work out (I will be back in Sicily and then in Venice when their house is free), I will definitely keep in contact with them. Maybe Angie could offer me cooking lessons instead??? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My sister can now relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had been emailing me initially worried that they may have been mass murderers!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a good laugh when I told them that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andrea’s mother was almost as worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She warned that I may steal everything in the house while they were gone!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The “Pray” part of the “Eat, Pray, Love” movie also continues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went into the huge famous Duomo in Siena today for the first time (you have to pay for the privilege of entering this one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unbelievable!!!! It is one of the most spectacular churches I have seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like being back in Rome again with their magnificent churches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, that reminds me…did I mention that the last time I was in Rome, they were offering the opportunity to give ‘confession’ with an English speaking priest who was secluded away in the ornate confessional box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured I hadn’t been since I was at my good catholic High School (a little while ago??), so I jumped right in and started confessing my sins!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry, I wasn’t in there long!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, I spoke more about my holiday than my sins!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And to prove that; he only gave me one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” as penance!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a bad effort for not having been to confession for over 25 years!! Maybe I got a discount because he couldn’t understand English all that well (I did have to explain things slowly)???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">And lastly before I head off…are you wondering about the “Love” part of the movie???? Well, there may be just a hint of romance with Mauro…….but will leave that for the next email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Until then, I hope you are all happy and well and enjoying life as much as I am!!!!!!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Ciao Ciao from bella Siena.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Joy xxxxxxxxxxx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-19894623592619948152011-05-31T09:02:00.000+10:002011-05-31T09:02:14.803+10:00Sending love from Siena<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">30.05.11</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ciao again from Siena,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, considering today is my First Anniversary (celebrating my first Month in Italy) I thought it fitting to send another email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, it seems unbelievable that a month could go by so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today was the start of week two of my Italian lessons and I am now in a class of four students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucy left on Saturday and I am now with a New Zealand couple (Roger and Julie) and a young German girl (Stefanie).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are more on the same level, so today’s session was great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our teachers are insisting that we speak only Italian in the class, so there are many pauses as we all try and think of what to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or more importantly, how to say it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many laughs along the way and much praise when we all say something remotely intelligent!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last week, for some reason, my Italian conversations in class always seemed to involve food and photos!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last Thursday our homework was to write 10 sentences using variations of the verb, “Devere” (Must) and Potere (Can). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Examples of four I wrote were:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Io Devo mangiare sempre (I must always eat).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noi dobbiamo andare in qualche posto per mangiare (We need to go somewhere to eat).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Io posso fare tante cose con photoshop (I can do lots of things with photoshop).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Noi possiamo andare insieme per fare foto, si vuoi (We can go together to take photos if you like)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Okay, to be completely truthful, I wrote out sentences that I thought meant the above, and needed a little (?) refinement by the teacher to get them to actually look like the above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in the end, the teacher was well aware that the two current priorities in my life are food and photography (considering all 10 sentences were written about both!!!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, the food part is hardly my fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we have a morning tea break, all the students currently at the school head down to the bar (small café) for a coffee and/or treats for about half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the perfect way to mingle with others at the school, and of course to eat!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The school also organizes an excursion to a small village once a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So on Thursday afternoon we went to a town called Volterra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive out to Volterra was just beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The landscape of gorgeous green hills was all too much for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to ask that we stop for a photo!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, many photos!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then before I knew it, I started taking portrait photos of everyone against the backdrop of gorgeous patchwork-like hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could live there…..aaahhhhh……ooooohhhhhhhh….hang on……hhhhmmmm…. I don’t recall seeing too many shops in-between the farm houses….okay, it was a nice country drive!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, my Saturday excursion was very exceptional!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two other ladies from the school and I decided we should reward ourselves with a day trip to Florence!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hour and 15 minutes on the bus and we were in Florence!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I in Heaven???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One hour and 15 minutes from Cairns and I find myself in Tully!!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only similarity I can find is that Tully probably has as many Italians living there as Florence!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, the markets of Florence… where I was of course forced by my shopping companions to purchase a black leather handbag </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just so functional and lightweight and suited to travelling…and just perfect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also fits many things…like the very cute scarf that found its way in there as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again, not my fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am simply trying to keep up with the fashion over here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a lady walking by with the very same scarf on and it looked so amazing on her, that I just knew it would also look wonderful on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I marvel at how similar it was to just looking at myself in the mirror???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh Oh Oh, let’s not mention the heart palpitations I felt when we reached the jewellery markets!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t faint Mum…I actually resisted this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did have to wipe some dribble off the store window that I leant up against though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To console myself I made a little promise that I will revisit Florence again closer to the time that I return home to Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That will give me time to work out in what manner I should reward myself for being so patient??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shall I require ‘bling’ to hang from my ear lobes; or adorn my neckline; or caress my slender long fingers???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, decisions, decisions!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, in my usual fashion, I started chatting to the other passenger s that were seated on the bus next to me (both on the way to Florence and the return).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took note of the lady who was on the previous bus trip (last email) and ensured that I took many breaths between sentences to give the other person a chance to speak!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first lady was from Siena and could speak English, so that was easy enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other lady spoke only Italian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to tell her that I was doing an Italian language course in Siena and to my delight; she used to be a teacher (for 40 years)!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I scored myself an hour’s free personal tuition!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept correcting my grammar as we spoke and was most encouraging with my progress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My luck with locating professional photographers for personal tuition is also overwhelming!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My flat mate Magdalena was doing a course at the University and another student was a professional photographer (John) from Melbourne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we all went out for dinner last Friday night and then on Sunday, I spent 4 hours wandering around Siena with John while he pointed out all the best photography locations in the city centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also found two gorgeous Argentinean male models (dressed as tourists) that welcomed posing for a photo for me (after I told them how simply adorable they looked and my young female friends in Cairns would be most appreciative of a photo).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am including this photo on the email!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Note the word ‘love’ on my T-shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was truly feeling the love!!! Enjoy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxbU6sEfuT82mVaY2rPjdWyvAwz2J9UclmVglr-uMsKsthtyQldfC_Ej-hZw6DYjCQC-Uy3ZERWQTB2W4n0sr0EGMI1cbgeEdJnoox3P0Qtu4JVP5hBo6ahyfhyphenhyphenh2oj1YLBXCRFj2vliD/s1600/IMG_1625+email+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxbU6sEfuT82mVaY2rPjdWyvAwz2J9UclmVglr-uMsKsthtyQldfC_Ej-hZw6DYjCQC-Uy3ZERWQTB2W4n0sr0EGMI1cbgeEdJnoox3P0Qtu4JVP5hBo6ahyfhyphenhyphenh2oj1YLBXCRFj2vliD/s200/IMG_1625+email+copy.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFdWXfYX9LzwArn9KAujjrcvSac3tfTjh4DCEnQWUJz0gznwhXp2lnJ4TIpEWMWR6ThBaDRo-dk-Nz-Rn3m9xeRIsYz1ZZuTgZEnZqrBCEqa_wLQdQphJM9JMc_mexDPPYFPGct6DU3vS/s1600/IMG_1620+email+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFdWXfYX9LzwArn9KAujjrcvSac3tfTjh4DCEnQWUJz0gznwhXp2lnJ4TIpEWMWR6ThBaDRo-dk-Nz-Rn3m9xeRIsYz1ZZuTgZEnZqrBCEqa_wLQdQphJM9JMc_mexDPPYFPGct6DU3vS/s200/IMG_1620+email+copy.jpg" t8="true" width="133" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My personal Italian tuition has also continued with Mauro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have enjoyed many more walks around the city centre while I practice my Italian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seriously feel like I am living the ‘Eat, Pray, Love” movie!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can life get any better than this!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am also building up the “new” friend count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got along fabulously with a lovely German lady Tamara who was here for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a couple of evenings having drinks/dinner together and she came to Florence with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spoke about her husband and daughter and wanting to find a new job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spoke about my passion for photography and search for love??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then provided me with the Italian term for “the man of your dreams”….she said the term was … “il principe azzuro”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhmmm, I just checked that on google translation and it came up as “Prince Blue”??? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will ask my teacher tomorrow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s best that I am not running around telling everyone I am searching for a blue Prince!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, that’s about it for now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though I am living a dream, I still think of you all very often and miss you dearly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love Joy xx</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-22604100419204083822011-05-24T08:13:00.000+10:002011-05-24T08:13:43.416+10:00Ciao from Siena - 23/05/11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ciao from Siena,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After another 4 great days in Roma, I have made it to Siena for my 2 week <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Italian Language Course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived on Sunday (yesterday) by bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The countryside was so gorgeous driving out here; I actually stayed awake for the 3 hour trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The constant chattering of the middle aged lady across the aisle was perhaps another reason I stayed awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear she did not take one breath during her conversation in the entire 2 hour trip to her destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she got off the bus, I looked at the young girl who had been seated beside her and she just looked back at me and said, “Mamma Mia!!!” and nursed her ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did wonder whether sometimes the people seated beside me do the same thing??<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I have been on my own for a few days and then find someone who can understand English, I have been known to get a little excited and maybe talk for a short while without stopping…okay long while…but I am sure they are interested in everything I say??</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Siena is more beautiful than I remembered (I was here for one day, two years ago).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I am going to love exploring this amazing city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a maze of narrow streets and, as the Eyewitness Travel book says, it has one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares, the Piazza del Campo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in the middle of the Piazza square this afternoon having a gelati with my new room-mate, Magdalena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I devoured my 22<sup>nd</sup> (?) gelati since arriving in Italy, I couldn’t help but reflect on how incredible <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it is that only 4 weeks ago I was having a gelati with my friend Anita after my last Italian lesson in Cairns and here I was in Siena having a gelati after my first Italian lesson in Italy!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, apparently gelati consumption helps you to remember what you have learnt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I read that somewhere (quite possibly when I was reading back my own email, but it does work..True God??).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The language school arranged an apartment for me and the location is just perfect. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just a 10 minute walk to the language school and another 5 minutes to the piazza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am staying with a 33 year old lady from Macedonia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is so lovely and friendly; and like me, enjoys a good chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus she appears to be a clean freak, so we are going to get along brilliantly!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to think of it, maybe she has a tad more OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) than I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She started a three sponge system for washing up the dishes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sponge for glasses, one for dishes and one for pots!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know for a fact that when some of my friends just read that, they were thinking that she was soon to be my next best friend!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(yes Heidi, you were the first to think that </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I arrived at my apartment on Sunday, I was met by the landlord, who graciously tried to carry my bag up the skinny flight of stairs for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he was struggling so much I thought he was going to burst a heart valve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly helped by lifting one end of the suitcase up, as I didn’t want to be responsible for killing my first Italian landlord!!!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, Oh, Oh, there are so many shops here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They just never seem to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every corner you turn around has more and more temptations!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so trying to be good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will need to remind myself that I am here to learn Italian not to personally support the Siena economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, I keep thinking of those apartment stairs that I have to carry my bag down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hhhmm, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it is of course always much easier to carry the bag down a set of stairs than up…so will focus on that should the temptation to bring home a Siena souvenier become too much to resist!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus I am sure by the end of the two weeks, I will have found an item of clothing that I am happy to part with so that I can purchase a new one….if not only for the reason that I should at least try to practice the special advice that Melinda provided </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I said earlier, today was my very first Italian lesson here in Siena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great as there were only two of us in the class (beginner’s class), myself and Lucy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucy is from Tasmania and knows less Italian than I do, so I actually feel like I need to help her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I got caught out whispering the answer to her today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit hard to do it discreetly when there are only two of you in the class!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have two female tutors who run a session each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are both lovely and fortunately very patient with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel quite confident that by the end of the two weeks I will be able to ask more than just “Where is the toilet?” in fluent Italian.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then there is the delightful and very handsome Mauro!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been emailing Mauro from Australia when I was first signing up for the course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think Mauro feels responsible that as I have come all the way from Australia to learn Italian that he needs to ensure that I do actually learn something while here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We caught up this afternoon for a walking tour of the City during which we spoke Italian as he showed me the sights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again he showed much patience as he politely corrected my pronunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, wandering around a beautiful city whilst chatting to a hot Italian Casanova is surely the way Italian is to be learnt!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On that note, it is way past my bed-time, so it is Ciao for now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oh, hang on, forgot to tell you - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>one fabulous thing that happened on my last day in Rome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was walking around Rome and accidently bumped into the lovely photographer Carlo (from my first Rome email).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have now made arrangements that the next time I am in Rome we are going to catch up for a little photography shoot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How exciting is that!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy has the most amazing website (Carlodegori.jimdo.com) and has become my latest Facebook friend!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love Joy</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-57615304748311439992011-05-20T07:46:00.000+10:002011-05-20T07:46:40.871+10:00Sicilian update 18.5.11<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Ciao all,</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">A sad morning this morning as my Princess days have come to an end.<span> </span>I am currently sitting on a train heading back to Rome.<span> </span>I can’t believe that two weeks in Sicily could go by so quickly.<span> </span>And again, what a wonderful time I have had.<span> </span>If you wish to experience generosity, friendship, family love (I could go on and on…) take a trip to Sicily!!!<span> </span>These people would give you all that they own and then apologise because they didn’t think it was enough.<span> </span>A part of me will now always belong to Sicily and my new found family.</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Gosh, where do I start to describe my last week?<span> </span>I will start with the ‘food’.<span> </span>I will be like my Mother.<span> </span>Every time Mum and Dad went on holidays and we rang to see how they were going, the first thing that Mum would say would be how fantastic the food was.<span> </span>We would then ask, ‘yes, but what have you seen?” and again the response was that she saw three choices for entrée, 5 choices for mains and all the dessert you could eat!!!<span> </span>So, here I go - You can add another two types of pasta to the other seven I mentioned previously.<span> </span>And I tried 8 different types of pizza, 4 flavours of granita, 6 flavours of gelato, numerous biscotti’s and plenty more of my favourite cherries!!! <span> </span>The family had this perfectly timed distraction tactic going where someone would draw my attention away from the dinner table, and someone else would slip more food onto my plate!!!<span> </span>Just lucky I have low cut jeans so my stomach could happily hang over the top of them!!!</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">My next love is of course is shopping!<span> </span>So, last Thursday I again accompanied Maria to the local markets. And due to the continuing cold weather, before I knew it, I was trying on another lovely lightweight jacket (ensured it was lightweight of course as I don’t want the wheels of my suitcase to give way).<span> </span>Maria and the store assistant said I looked like a model when I tried it on.<span> </span>Bless their hearts! Although, I am beginning to think it was more because they don’t often see females who are taller than 5ft 4“and slim.<span> </span>However, it worked to encourage me to add it to my ‘ever increasing’ collection of Italian fashion.<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">I also received some encouragement from my dearest travelling partner Melinda, who I will be meeting up with in August.<span> </span>She emailed me this week with some special advice to solve the problem of my ‘ever increasing ‘baggage weight.<span> </span>She suggested that each time I purchase a new item of clothing that I should toss out an old item.<span> </span>That way by the time she meets me in August, my suitcase will <u>solely</u> contain the latest fashion of Italy (of which she could then admire on my behalf)!!<span> </span>For those that recall my previous Italy travel emails (from 2009), you would not be surprised by Melinda’s advice.<span> </span>After 5 weeks in Italy, Melinda had purchased 3 leather jackets, 5 scarves, a dress, 4 leather handbags, several tops, jewelry, trinkets etc etc.<span> </span>Whereas I simply purchased 2 overpriced candle holders!!<span> </span>Oh hang on, I do have some vague recollection of some T Shirts and other minor accessories….<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">However, I did bring my favourite pair of jeans with me on this trip and am not sure if my heart could bear parting with them.<span> </span>It would probably take two new pairs of jeans just to replace the sentimental value.<span> </span>Hmm, 2 new pairs??<span> </span>Am feeling the heart strings loosen considerably when put like that!!!!<span> </span>Will put some more thought into her advice as I continue with my travels.</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sister told me that she is passing these emails over to my mother to read, so I best add (before my mother thinks I will be on a corner begging for money soon) that it is the Sicilian custom to pay for EVERYTHING for their guests.<span> </span>I had many a moment where I was chastised by my new family for trying to pay for something.<span> </span>So not only was I served with a table of food fit for a Princess, I was driven around Sicily, taken to all the best tourist attractions where they waited patiently while I took 500 photos, provided with restaurant meals (and grenita/gelati treats) along the way…all the while not being allowed to contribute a thing except my endearing personality </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span> </span>Oh My God, these people are amazing!!!<span> </span>My only slight concern is that I kept begging them all to come and visit me so I could repay their hospitality.<span> </span>However, if they all decide to come in the same year, I may have to utilize the redraw facility on my house loan!!!!<span> </span>And take cooking lessons as well….</span></span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sicilians are the proudest people, not only of their family, but especially of their country.<span> </span>I have been taken to some spectacular towns and attractions.<span> </span>Yes, my camera got quite the workout.<span> </span>Some of my favourites were Agrigento (for its Greek Temples), Taormina (loved its gorgeous streets and views), Catania (Markets & Architecture), Noto (The wonderful flower festival), St Alfio (History of Festival of 3 saints), Calatibiano (Festival of St Filipo), Syracuse (for its history) and Letojanni (for the yummiest Granita), and many many many more small gorgeous towns in between.<span> </span>I have quite the collection of windows, doors, streets, churches and castle photos!!!!<span> </span>Not to mention brides!!<span> </span>There have been weddings on in half the churches I have been to.<span> </span>So of course, I have photographed them as well!!<span> </span>(It is good to become familiar with the latest fashion in wedding dresses as you never know when you may need to wear one???).<span> </span>And at the moment Italy is celebrating its 150<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> year of Unification, so there are Italian flags swinging from windows everywhere.<span> </span>Love it!!!<span> </span></span></span></div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Going into the church at St Alfio was great.<span> </span>I remember going to the Silkwood St Alfio Festival of the Three Saints when I was growing up, and to actually go to the town where it all started was fabulous.<span> </span>We were shown into a room at the rear of the church where they had paintings hanging on the walls, depicting all the miracles that were alleged to have been attributed to intervention of the Three Saints.<span> </span>I offered to provide a painting of my ‘butt’ as I think it is a small miracle that it is not the size of a house after all the food I have eaten in the last two weeks.!!! <span> </span>(Thank you Saint Alfio, Filadelfo & Cirino.<span> </span>I am indebted to you.)<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">While I didn’t make it to Mt Etna, I was fortunate to be at a lookout one night when we saw a red line near the peak of the mountain which indicated a small eruption and lava flow.<span> </span>Close enough for me!!<span> </span>While we were driving through the countryside I also saw black rock formations everywhere where the lava had once flowed.<span> </span>It was amazing. My cousin told me an old wives tale where the residents of a town called Mascali used to treat Mount Etna with disrespect by using the fire of the lava to cook their food; whereas the residents of a nearby town feared the consequences and warned them against it.<span> </span>Then when Mt Etna erupted in 1928, the flow went around the neighbouring town and completely wiped out Mascali. Bugger!! <span> </span>I actually had a similar experience of sorts.<span> </span>I was in a church and took a photo of a statue, and while taking the photo I was thinking how ugly the statue looked (it looked like an eagles head on a horse’s body inclusive of wings and a horse’s mane.<span> </span>Not something you see everyday??).<span> </span>Two minutes later I was walking past the same statue and accidentally whacked my head against it.<span> </span>Ouch!! <span> </span>Don’t mess with anything Sicilian!!!!</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: small;">Highlights of my trip to Sicily were to see the house in Giarre which my Mother grew up in (and meet her childhood best friend who still lives in the area) and to visit my Grandfather’s gravesite.<span> </span><span> </span>These were three things that I had always dreamed of doing and feel very blessed to have now achieved them.<span> </span>I also met some old cousins of my mother who were able to show me a photo of my grandfather when he was in his twenties. <span> </span>Quite the spunk old Nonno was!!! <span> </span></span></span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Oh my God, how could I not have mentioned this yet!!!<span> </span>The driving here is the scariest thing I have experienced in a long time.<span> </span>After two weeks of being driven around Sicily I still have absolutely no idea what the road rules are and who is supposed to be giving way to who???<span> </span>And I am absolutely certain that neither does anyone else!!!!!!<span> </span>Apparently red lights and stop signs have no meaning whatsoever.<span> </span>Seat belts are just straps that hang by the side of car doors. <span> </span>There is no limit to how many people you can fit on the back seat of the car. Sounding the horn continually alerts the other drivers of your intention to um, hmm, who the hell knows??<span> </span>And the best of them all is that Italian drivers need to remove both hands from the steering wheel when talking to you (one hand gesturing is clearly not enough to get the story across) regardless of whether they are driving at 40 km/hr or 140 km/hr!!!!!!!!!!<span> </span><span> </span>All I can say is that I closed my eyes often and prayed even more often!!!</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, my cousin Rosaria and I did keep an eye out for Donatello as we toured around, but he was again elusive.<span> </span>Sadly, I don’t recall seeing anyone worthy of a second look, let alone anything else.<span> </span>My cousin is also single so we joked that we were looking for a Raffaele for her and a Donatello for me.<span> </span>Well, on the train I started talking to this very sweet and cute young Italian guy who spoke wonderful English.<span> </span>I had asked if he wouldn’t mind helping me get my small bag ?? down from the baggage racks (as two other lovely gentlemen had put it up there for me) and after that we chatted for ages.<span> </span>Anyway, just as we were arriving in Rome he suggested we keep in contact. <span> </span>When I asked him to write down his name, it was Raffaele!!!<span> </span>How funny!! Raffaele just became my latest facebook friend!!!<span> </span>If only I was 20 years younger, it would have been, well hello Raffaele….Donatello would have been a thing of the past </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;"><span>J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.</span></span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">And the last of my Sicilian stories…. just to prove how amazing Maria and Pipa were.<span> </span>Two days before I left, Maria and Pipa handed me a gift box and said that they had bought me something to remember them by.<span> </span>I opened it to find an absolutely gorgeous silver bracelet with all different shaped heart charms hanging from it.<span> </span>What they obviously didn’t realize was that they are forever embedded in my heart and I could never forget them!!!<span> </span>Yes, I cried.</span> </div><div class="yiv2084465146MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">Love Joy xx</span> </div><div> </div></span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-15501915297838728482011-05-10T06:01:00.000+10:002011-05-10T06:01:12.099+10:00Ciao from Sicilia 9.05.11<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hi all from bella Sicilia,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I spent my last day in Rome wandering around the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So much to photograph, I was easily entertained for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then made my way to the Piazza di Spagna to see the Spanish steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a great time of the year to try to actually ‘see’ the steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was more just rows and rows of tourists sitting on the steps!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it was still a great feeling being there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Wednesday morning I caught the train to Sicily to meet with my new surrogate Italian Family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a 9 hour train ride and I had my first experience of being forced to speak the language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was surrounding by only Italian speaking travelers and it was very interesting times trying to explain to them that I was from Australia and was visiting with family (who I was going to meet for the first time) in Sicily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a case of them repeating what they thought I said and then me excitedly nodding my head when they got it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, you should have seen my hands going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently it helps to be waving them about at the same time as trying to string together<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a poorly constructed sentence of poorly pronounced Sicilian dialect (Joy’s version of Italian).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the conversation, they understood that my mother was in Sicily and I was going to visit her????<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close enough, I guess???<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fortunately I am having better success with the gorgeous family I am staying with (of course it helps that their daughter-in-law Laura speaks English).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot express enough how absolutely wonderful they are!!!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am staying with an elderly couple (Maria 80 & Nino 82) who on my first day told me that they think of me as a daughter (Oohhhh, so cute) and for me to make their home like my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you see the state of my bedroom (Suitcase contents <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EVERYWHERE), one would have assumed that I took them at their word!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">There has been much cheek kissing, numerous hugs and many laughs as they attempt to decipher what I am saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nino’s sister, Pipa (76) has been here each day as well and she is the most wonderful character.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She makes fun of me all the time and amazingly is the best at understanding me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has actually been my translator when Laura hasn’t been around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My saving grace is that they all speak the old style Sicilian which Mum speaks to me back home, so for the most part, I can understand most of what they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">If I still fit in my clothes when I leave here it will be a small miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had seven types of pasta since I arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not to mention the steak, chicken, Italian sausages, spinach, salad, bread, prosciutto, and fruit that have all been part of the meals as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their main meal is eaten at lunch time and ALL the family turn up for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family all drop in between 12 – 1pm and we have a loud conversation during the meal and then everyone leaves again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The close bond they all share is fabulous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have all decided that I look between 30 – 35 years old, God bless them!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And God bless my mother for passing on her youthful looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have decided that I want a younger version of Nino for my Donatello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nino is the sweetest old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard that I love cherries, so without me knowing, off he went to the local store and returned with a bag full of different types of fruit, including my favourite cherries!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that he had a surprise for me after lunch (as he had hidden them in the kitchen).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then when we had finished eating the main meal he brought out this huge bowl of fruit for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know who was beaming with joy more, Nino or I!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I even walked down to the local Markets with just Maria and Pipa one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a great time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One minute I was walking arm in arm with Pipa and then it was with Maria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are just adorable!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I purchased my 2<sup>nd</sup> top for the trip (so far…).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hanging in a market stall and when I pointed it out to Maria she said it would look lovely on me and I should buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, that was what I understood anyway!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So of course I bought it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yes it does look lovely on me </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-US">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Oh, the weather has been so much colder than I had anticipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was arriving in Summer, but apparently the cold has lasted much longer than usual this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is of course is why I was also forced to purchase a new black jacket on Saturday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t keep alternating the two jumpers that I had packed, as I am meeting all these new relations and my Mother would be most upset if I wasn’t making a good impression??<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I have been made to feel like the “Australian Princess” here in Sicily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maria’s phone has been ringing non-stop with all the relations and family friends (that my Mother called) who want to come and see me!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s quite amusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other night three ladies turned up at 9.45pm (they visit late at night here) and we all sat around in a circle talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to grab out my Italian Dictionary and it was like playing charades!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would use hand gestures and say a word that ‘sounded’ like Italian and they would all cheer with glee when they understood it right!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Maria’s daughter in law Laura has been so wonderful to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She lives in the apartment below Maria’s, so I have spent many enjoyable hours with her and her new baby Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been helping her practice English???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Earlier tonight I was teaching her to sing “Old MacDonald had a farm” to her son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And my other favourite is Rosaria, which I think is my third cousin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She speaks English really well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent an amazing day on Saturday exploring Catania.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is an architect and it was like wandering around with a tour guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave me the complete history on the whole city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gosh, I hope she doesn’t expect the same if she ever comes to visit me in Cairns, otherwise I will have to spend a whole week in the library preparing!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">With regards to household chores, I haven’t been allowed to do a thing since I arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had my clothes hand washed, my meals cooked, my towel replaced each morning and breakfast set out on the table 5 minutes after I get up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t even been allowed to clear the table after meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t kidding when I called myself a Princess!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This morning I took a little longer than usual in the bathroom and Nino called out to make sure I was feeling okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to try and explain that when one reaches a certain age it takes a little longer to fill the facial crevices with sufficient foundation (make-up) to ensure that one remains looking 35 instead of 45!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Needless to say I am having the time of my life here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I LOVE my new family and 5000 relations Mum dug up and have decided to stay for two weeks instead of one!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be here until next Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I may cling to a pole and refuse to leave if this royal treatment continues!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Oh, just one last little story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday Laura’s young 6 year old nephew came to visit and when he found out I was from Australia he got so excited as he had been learning English at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dragged me by the hand to go and sit down so we could talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then proceeded to tell me that ‘the sky is blue’ and ‘My brother is my Dad’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HHmm, Laura assures me that he meant to say his brother was David.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then told me (in Italian) that he had a secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said he was in love with a girl at school and wanted to write a song for her and to give it to her the next morning. The words to the song were “Oh my love, Oh my love, Oh my dearest love”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>YES, THIS CHILD IS SIX!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked what she looked like, he said she was ‘Bellissima”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I say….an Italian Gigolo in the making!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And on that note, I will leave you for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ciao Ciao,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Love Princess Joy xx<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-73018463478551461012011-05-03T09:10:00.000+10:002011-05-03T09:10:29.645+10:00Bella Roma - 3.5.11Buona Sera,<br />
<br />
I can't believe I have now been here for two days already. At this rate, I will be home before you know it, which would make my mother very happy!!! Poor Mum, she doesn't quite understand the concept of my new life adventure. All she knows is that she lost her shopping partner for 6 months!!! But I will ensure that I make her proud. I am continuing to shop!!! I walked into one clothes store yesterday and the shop assistant flattered me so much regarding how great my new TShirt looked on me, that she convinced me to purchase it. What choice did I have? I couldn't disappoint her. She looked so pleased when I purchased it. <br />
<br />
Now, where do I start? Firstly, my Bed & Breakfast accommodation is great. The lovely Freidrich & his mother are so friendly and helpful. There are only a few others here, so I almost feel like I have a whole apartment to myself. And free internet access. So happy about that!!! The only minor concern is the old style key & lock on my bedroom door. I keep forgetting which way to turn the key (it's one of those tricky ones where you only put the key in half way then turn it), and for the last two mornings I have taken about 5 minutes to open the door. Have not panicked, but it is not good to be struggling to open one's door when one needs to pee very badly. <br />
<br />
Well haven't I been the good catholic girl these last two days!!! On my last morning in Rome (when I was here on holidays with Melinda in 2009) I spent the morning attending Sunday mass at the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. Well, I decided that the only fitting way to celebrate my return to Rome was to again spend the morning attending Sunday mass at the same Basilica. What I didn't know until arriving here, was that I had picked a very special day to do this - the Beautification of Pope John Paul II!! Oops should now be calling him Blessed Pope John Paul II. Beautification in the Catholic Church is performed for individuals whose lives have exemplified heroic virtue and is strongly supported within the church (I just googled that for you). Apparently Popey John Paul is a miracle away from being called a Saint!! Go Popey!!<br />
<br />
Now, when I arrived at the Basilica I found that they were having a huge open air mass outside the church, with a big screen set up so we could all watch the 'official mass proceedings' being held at the Vatican City by the current Pope Benedict XVI. I did consider going to that one in person, however so did one million other people (no exaggeration), so I am glad I didn't!! The mass at the Basilica was amazing. The faith of the thousands that attended the Basilica where i was, had to be seen to be believed. Some ladies were crying; everyone was clapping during parts of the mass; the 'peace be with you' (<span class="short_text" closure_uid_64r6kg="115" id="result_box" lang="it" oc="undefined" xf="4"><span class="hps" closure_uid_64r6kg="111" title="Click for alternate translations">la pace</span> <span class="hps" closure_uid_64r6kg="112" title="Click for alternate translations">sia con</span> <span class="hps" closure_uid_64r6kg="113" title="Click for alternate translations">voi) segment where we all shook hands during the mass was wonderful; and I even lined up to receive the Eucharist/holy communion (where you are offered the symbol of bread). You are supposed to give confession before receiving it, but I think I should be okay with that. I am generally a very good person?? Now it did last 3 hours, so just lucky they were handing out free water. At one stage I started eating a biscuit and then realised I was technically 'in church', so I slid it back into my pocket before anyone saw me. I did take heaps of photos (of course) so when i get a chance to sort through them, I will add some to the blog.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="short_text" closure_uid_64r6kg="115" lang="it" oc="undefined" xf="4"><span class="hps" closure_uid_64r6kg="113" title="Click for alternate translations">This morning I decided to head to Vatican City and before i knew it, I was in the middle of another open air mass. Gosh, these italians just can't get enough!!! More clapping, more tears, waving of flags, singing..very moving. Speaking of moves, an old man tried to make one on me!!! This spritely old Polish fellow walked up to me and I thought he was just trying to tell me something about Popey, when all of a sudden he pulls a card (with all his details on it) out of his jacket pocket and asks if I want to come back to his house. What the f#ck???? In a few years time the only thing he would need a women to do is give him a warm bath and change his bed pan!!! OMG, why me!!!!!!! Although the more I think about it, he really needed to put a bit more effort into getting a business card if he wants to 'officially pick up'. The scrawly writing on a piece of torn off cardboard just didn't cut it!! WHERE IS DONATELLO??????????? Why isn't he trying to pick me up!!!!</span></span><br />
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Oh, I just remembered the other reason why I chose not to go to the Vatican city mass on Sunday. I read on one of their pamphlets that they were bringing in 400 portaloos. HHHmmm you work out the math for that. 400 portaloos vs one million people. I wouldn't hire that event coordinator again??? I actually had the pleasure (??) of using one today. My sister laughed at me when I packed a roll of toilet paper in my suitcase. Well, I made good use of it today. That and the lovely cucumber and aloe hand sanitiser I also packed. Gosh, I am becoming a seasoned traveler now. See good reason why I travelled with 27 kilo's. I told you i had to pack for every occasion!!<br />
<br />
I must have walked from one end of the Rome City Centre to the other in the last two days. I may have just slightly covered more streets than necessary on that rare, odd, hardly ever occasion where I tried to navigate my way around without a map. But gee I was rewarded with the most beautiful street scenes. And on one of those occasions yesterday I met this gorgeous young photographer Carlo. I wish I could take him home - purely so we could play on photoshop together (of course). I just had to stop to admire his work. His photos were spectacular. He got so excited he dragged out his photo album and was describing all these different photoshop techniques he had used. It was like he was whispering sweet nothings in my ear. I loved Carlo!!! I took his business card and his photo!!<br />
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I've been to see most of the famous sites again. I made sure I went to the Trevi Fountain. That is where the traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain they are ensured a return to Rome. Obviously worked last time I threw in a coin, so I did it again today. Mother will be pleased to know that I also threw in an Australian coin to make sure that I returned home as well!!! Hey, I just googled it, and it said that if you threw in three coins it will ensure a marriage. How excited am I!!! I threw in three Italian coins (and 1 Australian one). Mum...get that dress ready!!!!!!!!!!<br />
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And on that note, I will again leave you. <br />
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Ciao, Ciao from Bella Roma,<br />
<br />
Love JoyJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-17054081273821390712011-05-02T18:06:00.000+10:002011-05-02T18:06:05.435+10:00Ciao from Roma 2.5.11Hi All,<br />
<br />
Wow, my second day here in Rome. How exciting!!<br />
<br />
The flights over (four flights actually: Cairns - Brisbane; Brisbane to Singapore; Singapore to Dubai; Dubai to Rome) were fantastic! Can you believe someone would actually say that after spending 23hours flying and another 10 hanging around airports! But true. I have this thing where each time before I fly I hope that I am sitting near someone who will 1. Be nice and 2. talk to me, so that the time goes quickly. Well, I received that wish for every flight! <br />
<br />
On the flight from Cairns to Brisbane, I sat beside a lovely lady Dianne who works in the office of the High School I used to go to, so needless to say, we discussed old teachers, old students, and ended up knowing so many of the same people. Was a great blast from the past.<br />
<br />
I had a long stop over in Brisbane before catching a 2.40am flight. One of the ladies from my Italian classes (Dianne) was on the same flights (Cns - Dubai) so we caught up and kept each other company while waiting. Was great. I also met Emily (23 yrs) who I started chatting to in the long line up to get our booking ticket. Emily then stuck with us until Dubai. I was telling her about my photography hopes for Italy, so she excitedly wanted me to write down my name for her, in case I became famous!!! LOL. <br />
<br />
I met a lovely student from Surrey, England on the flight from Brisbane to Singapore. She has a dream to meet Prince Harry. I told her I had a dream to meet Prince Donatello, except the only man to give me attention was a scary man from India who accosted me at the Dubai Airport. He just walked up out of nowhere, introduced himself and wanted to shake my hand and be my friend. Funny how I suddenly had a very strong urge to go to the toilet and scurried off before he could say anything else!!!! Gosh, he must have been desperate...when I looked in the Airport bathroom mirror, my hair was clad to my head (from hours of resting back against the seat), my skin was looking dry and red (no signs of make-up left), and my eyes were red and bleary from lack of sleep. Note for future use - Indian men are easy to please!!!!<br />
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I then met this amazing young lady from Nigeria, called Kehinde Ayobami Temitope (on the flight from Singapore to Dubai). What an impressive name and it matched a very impressive young woman. Her dream is to become a famous singer and poet. I had a good laugh when she first sat on the plane beside me. She put on her headset and instantly started singing out loud. I thought, gosh I wonder if she knows everyone can hear her??? Luckily she did actually sing well!! I refrained from doing the same thing. I still have vivid memories of my sister turning off the radio every time I tried singing along with a song. We have since officially declared that NO-ONE in our family can sing!!! Listening to Sing Star (karaoke) in our household is like listening to wolves howling in the night....<br />
<br />
Anyway, Kehinde and I became good friends by the end of our flight. She shared her poems with me from her laptop and I shared my 'inspirational NZ photos' from my laptop. And we are now officially 'Facebook Friends'. Oh, and we took our photo together after we landed. And the most impressive thing of all was her middle name - Ayobami- it means "Joy happens to me". Got to love that!!!<br />
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And finally, on my flight from Dubai to Rome, I met the wonderful Andrea & his beautiful wife Angie. They live in the countryside outside Florence. After talking to Andrea for most of the flight (his wife was lucky enough to jag an upgrade to First Class, so she was a few seats away), he made the most generous offer to me. Not only did he give me his details in case I ever needed help while I was in Italy, he offered that I could house sit their house for 2 weeks in June if I wanted to!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my God...how fantastic is that!!!!<br />
<br />
So, I say unreservedly again, I had the most amazing trip over here!!!! The Gods are smiling on me already. And yes, I did duck into a quaint little church I found in an alleyway yesterday and gave thanks for making the start of my adventure so amazing already. <br />
<br />
Now, I was going to continue and tell you about my first day in Rome, but I think you may have enough reading to do for one email and I don't want to lose any of you before my adventure really takes off.....<br />
<br />
Will email again soon,<br />
<br />
Love JoyJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-85673671633505588102011-05-01T12:08:00.000+10:002011-05-01T12:08:50.204+10:00My Midlife Creation - Italy here I come!!!Hi,<br />
<br />
Well it has just started - My Midlife Creation (as opposed to Midlife Crisis, as some may put it). I have embarked on my second adventure through Italy. This time on my own and for a longer period - hopefully 6 months if my Visa comes through.<br />
<br />
The format I am adopting is to email a heap of my dearest friends with my travel emails and then cut and paste that email into this blog for any others that wish to follow and come along the the 'ride of my life' with me. So, thanks for joining me.<br />
<br />
Email one: sent to friends on the 29th April 2011 - just before leaving.<br />
<br />
<div>Hi all,</div><div> </div><div>You are all now part of my email list for Joy's (hopefully weekly) holiday emails. As part of the agreement to receive these emails, you must agree to signing a confidentiality clause. That means no spreading gossip okay. If my mother is to prepare her "Bride's mother's outfit", I at least want the opportunity to ring her first!!! Ha Ha. That got your attention didn't it!!</div><div> </div><div>I finally managed to zip closed my small (??) 27 kg suitcase. I was quite stressed this morning when I thought my allowance was only 23kg and it weighed it at 25kg. However, after a very <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family: "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">reassuring</span> phone call from the Travel Agent (who informed me that I could take 30kg), the smile came back to my face <img src="http://mail.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif" />. I happily threw in a few extra MUST HAVE items and then it somehow snuck up to 27kg. I know a few of you seasoned travelers just gasped, but I promise I am only taking the necessities in life....like my 15 tops, 8 shorts, 16 undies, 7 bras (just in case I am too busy to wash regularly)!!! I obviously take after my mother because when she looked at all the clothes I layed out on the bed, she asked if I thought that I was taking enough (she was serious...she wanted me to take more!!!!).</span></div><div> </div><div>I am actually starting to get quite nervous now. I can't remember the last time I travelled on my own. However, I am sure that once I step foot in Rome and gaze up at the most incredible churches/architecture etc (that I will soon be happily photographing), all those nerves will be lost in the excitement of that "magic photo"!</div><div> </div><div>Plus I am comforted by the thought that this must have always been in my life plan. I am certain God has only ensured that I remained single with no kids (at the prime age of 45) so that I could embark of this amazing adventure!!?? Surely it was so that I could be swept off my feet by that elusive Donatello (that's my nickname for my Mr Right), in the most romantic way??? </div><div> </div><div>Now, for those who I haven't had a chance to catch up with, these are my plans at this stage (subject to change, if Donatello turns up somewhere in there....ha ha).</div><div> </div><div>I fly out tonight and arrive in Rome Saturday night. Then 4 nights in Rome, before catching a train down to Sicily to spend it with some wonderful family friends. I am SO EXCITED to meet all these relations for the first time. My dearest mother has been on the phone to Sicily for a month now rounding them all up!!! She asked me yesterday what I was going to wear on the train down, to make sure I made a good 'first impression'. See, I had no choice but to throw in the extra 5 tops to ensure I make the right selection on the day!!! Do you think they make Suction packs large enough to fit a whole 27kg suitcase...I might need it. Hhhm, more importantly I hope the wheels don't give out on me. </div><div> </div><div>Oh, where was I? That's right...after Sicily, I head back to Rome and then make my way up to Siena in Tuscany. I have signed up to do a 2 week language course in Siena. How exciting is that!!!!!! I can't wait!!! I will be talking fluent Italian in no time??? </div><div> </div><div>Then more travelling around Italy just winging it, apart from visiting family in Milan and a glorious week in Venice. In July I will fly out to Casablanca for a 2 week tour of Morocco, (so excited about the photo opportunities there!!!), then back to Italy before I meet up with my wonderful travelling partner Melinda & her friend Ros (for a tour of Eastern Europe). That's the quick rundown. Oops, I just looked at the time, and need to race off and get ready to head to the airport soon.</div><div> </div><div>Oh, just to let you know, I will be posting these emails into a new blog I have started. The link to it is <a href="http://www.findthejoyinlife.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.findthejoyinlife.blogspot.com/</a>. Most of you know I went to Italy with Melinda in 2009. Well, just so I could take a trip down memory lane, I added my old travel emails to start off the blog. </div><div> </div><div>I need to make myself beautiful for Rome (that could take some time), so I better head off.</div><div> </div><div>Ciao, Ciao,</div><div> </div><div>Love Joy xx</div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-213104010623118772011-04-26T23:14:00.000+10:002011-04-26T23:14:10.984+10:00Travel Email – Roma (5th Oct 2009)<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi all,</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, we just finished our 'Last Supper' (Pizza) in the beautiful Roma, and are on the way back to the Hotel to pack. We have half a day tomorrow for final shopping, then it's off to the Airport to come home. Having said that, I don't actually arrive home until Wednesday morning, given the time difference, long flight and a lengthy wait at Brisy Airport. What a holiday it has been!!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, in my usual fashion, I am just going to give a bit of a rundown of our final days, and then I will leave you in peace.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Positano (Amalfi Coast), we were back to a 3 star Hotel, so no more cute white slippers. Now, it did bring me to wondering how many stars we have to achieve to get a matching white robe?? I would so love a robe. A 3 star toothbrush/paste & sewing kit just don't quite cut it in the gift stakes now that we have slippers!!! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXDhJLKpzQh0FB2au8aWnaQkQNZ6LXRoLCG_0NMdY086bRtywOgGKhy2A-OKmLXkfgKGHDb4WphPhzoOhvkD_DYEBXzJ1lHQj-LdKovx4wj_pNVJKD1e-4Vjg67U87px6rO5Fuv4OKtgv/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+833+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXDhJLKpzQh0FB2au8aWnaQkQNZ6LXRoLCG_0NMdY086bRtywOgGKhy2A-OKmLXkfgKGHDb4WphPhzoOhvkD_DYEBXzJ1lHQj-LdKovx4wj_pNVJKD1e-4Vjg67U87px6rO5Fuv4OKtgv/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+833+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hhmm, we were brought back down to earth in our Rome accommodation. Not sure if it is 2 or 3 stars, but you know it's on the lower end when your shampoo is in sachets!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Tuesday, our 'walk of the gods' along the 15 stations of the cross from Praiano to Positano was just fantastic. Although it was 7.4 km's uphill (along the mountain cliff face for the most part) and 1200 steps/2.5 km's downhill (no exaggeration on the number of steps), the views were to be seen to be believed. Truly spectacular!! It took us 4.5hrs as we took a half hour lunch stop before we could bring ourselves to tackle the 1200 steps. My poor old knees!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXQDBcZF5LNEu-y2_MoU-JPXZwxGOM7hjY3gAOQXOXSfDKrT7CrUi_8pMmpQNAwSDoJ4ZH2q9pDsojH0kFz0GyKCQ02ghvKQqYJI75SHQ9IxMF9Z91CdRjTKVgystyrDEL-p6DR5jVvVg/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXQDBcZF5LNEu-y2_MoU-JPXZwxGOM7hjY3gAOQXOXSfDKrT7CrUi_8pMmpQNAwSDoJ4ZH2q9pDsojH0kFz0GyKCQ02ghvKQqYJI75SHQ9IxMF9Z91CdRjTKVgystyrDEL-p6DR5jVvVg/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+415.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L2iTJLQyT58q5TBFgwpEmeKT2IGLgQBomk8fS3PtjfrxbhxFyi9edQ9LrVO0iIqxoOsEm7Ow2ScCkAkB6RTBZlKXDWq9Lb2hm3OL5dl7QUzUtyNFF3SN7MOKyiJQ342lGRRMRgDXlObI/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2L2iTJLQyT58q5TBFgwpEmeKT2IGLgQBomk8fS3PtjfrxbhxFyi9edQ9LrVO0iIqxoOsEm7Ow2ScCkAkB6RTBZlKXDWq9Lb2hm3OL5dl7QUzUtyNFF3SN7MOKyiJQ342lGRRMRgDXlObI/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+483.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzz4pXwc50QJCaWzWBfwFKMduNuF4Dxs2GeUCNJUDJSWnuhSgAs7c-O0cfsyw-KoOGgvQwDfAn1yHrEm_xLnuscgR86-qIgNsu5vL4gfmeyV-LFsq4me6jI-L___PvgVDQFCfWcIOtcUQ/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzz4pXwc50QJCaWzWBfwFKMduNuF4Dxs2GeUCNJUDJSWnuhSgAs7c-O0cfsyw-KoOGgvQwDfAn1yHrEm_xLnuscgR86-qIgNsu5vL4gfmeyV-LFsq4me6jI-L___PvgVDQFCfWcIOtcUQ/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+447.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMkbOeujODmaDy-bUU7fYDlQSdMJK0lZD8LdUAlAzDcTjrfeK3YXIOmMtinHC6MNtdsC6bJ3ATc7yPzG2BfWdEjkwX9s4JPEezZfQvHiWcXZWdKhh3CJWMJI4kl7wPGjlwDskUCTuXDg/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnMkbOeujODmaDy-bUU7fYDlQSdMJK0lZD8LdUAlAzDcTjrfeK3YXIOmMtinHC6MNtdsC6bJ3ATc7yPzG2BfWdEjkwX9s4JPEezZfQvHiWcXZWdKhh3CJWMJI4kl7wPGjlwDskUCTuXDg/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+502.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wednesday we spent a lovely day loitering around the village shops, which brought me to procrastinate over a small purchase (candle holder). It started off the following conversation I had with myself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Do I need it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner Voice: It is not about need, it is about want!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me:It is more than I would normally pay (after quick Euro conversion). Would I pay that much if I saw it in Cairns?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner Voice: You are not in Cairns. You are in a small village on the Amalfi Coast where you will most likely never come again (unless you start dating a famous person). So buy it if you want it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: What would Mum say if she knew I had paid that much?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice:Don't tell her, or halve it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: What would my husband say, if I had one?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: Unless you hadn't noticed, you don't have one. Which is why you are able to be here in the first place! And if you did have one, he could give you extra money to buy a matching piece. Which is back to why you don't have one. Cos men like that don't actually exist!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Will I regret it if I don't buy it?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: It's not good to have regrets. Don't chance it. If you don't like it when you get home, throw it in as an incentive for EBAY person buying backpack (with no wheels).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Should I ask for a discount for cash?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: Now you are starting to sound like your mother!! Plus, unless you have already forgotten, you already did and she said no!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Where will I put it in my house?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: Your concern should be, 'where are you going to put it in your backpack?'. Toss out the stupid sand ornament you got conned into purchasing in Dubai and it will fit!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Will it match my other house ornaments?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: Aaaarrrrggghhhh....... OCD freak!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Me: Hey look. There is a matching piece. Oh, they look so good together. What am I going to do now?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inner voice: Pretend your imaginary husband just gave you the extra money and buy both!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MELINDA's voice: You have to buy them both. They are lovely and one by itself just wouldn't work. Look, I'm buying these matching earrings, bracelet and ring. Aren't they lovely too.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, between the advice from my 'shopaholic' travelling partner and my extravagant inner voice, what choice did I have? I became the proud owner of two over-priced, yet matching Positano candle holders!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7RNKMCZrihs9e2M7fNgpm_VJ3y8V3mckbXVBu7tt3RuxvdDIqwHKbZfrYmT4fN40xz4oofD2Tu5afKWq9wpiHbTWzl0MQ3iEwDe5cULOSHy0jtF0dLjH1DCxW98MX6rlpCe0m8-VMRlv/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7RNKMCZrihs9e2M7fNgpm_VJ3y8V3mckbXVBu7tt3RuxvdDIqwHKbZfrYmT4fN40xz4oofD2Tu5afKWq9wpiHbTWzl0MQ3iEwDe5cULOSHy0jtF0dLjH1DCxW98MX6rlpCe0m8-VMRlv/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+053.jpg" width="150" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thursday morning we were up early saying good-bye to the beautiful Amalfi Coast, as we made our way to Rome. We arrived about lunch time. We looked at the travel agent's note which said the Hotel was a mere 50 metres from the train station and headed off in search of it. Well, I can tell you, about 2 km's later, I was ready to kill the travel agent. Not only was I mimicking the Hunchback from Notre Dame, but by the time we found the hotel, I felt like I was dragging a full size trailer beside me (disguised of course as a Louis Vuitton wheeled bag which was laden with many of Italy's finest treasures).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melinda has attended 6 months of Bootcamp in Tassie prior to our holiday, so she was marching gallantly along a block ahead of me as if she was carrying a paper weight on her back. She said she could hear my 'trailer' being wheeled along the footpath behind her, so she knew I wasn't lost!! What doesn't kill me, will surely make me stronger!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnwhHXYDPj_wfLfsAAdqz2DBJAVA7PWde8lBIzmMyNxeb7hSfYN-w13in4Qx56Pk1qlMYSVYrv58artGDhxnB6E75xl5mB2Gj44KgzADEcGum624NMMEpkegx6tN2c7uThXVYPK1FA-5K/s1600/Rome+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnwhHXYDPj_wfLfsAAdqz2DBJAVA7PWde8lBIzmMyNxeb7hSfYN-w13in4Qx56Pk1qlMYSVYrv58artGDhxnB6E75xl5mB2Gj44KgzADEcGum624NMMEpkegx6tN2c7uThXVYPK1FA-5K/s200/Rome+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, Rome is another unique city, rich with magnificent architecture and history (and more churches than I've seen in a lifetime). We've spent the majority of the last few days walking from one end of the city to the other visiting famous piazza's, churches and monuments. On Friday we went to the Vatican City looking for Popey (that's Melinda's pet name for the Pope), but he must have been having a day at home. I'm sure I would have recognised him if he had walked past me considering his face is pictured on every type of souvenier you could imagine. Was going to bring you all back a Popey souvenier, but couldn't decide between the calendars, fridge magnets, pendants, pens, cups, spoons, plates, key-rings, snow globes, T-shirts, caps and many other special items. </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We went into St Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Museum and the artwork and architecture was amazing. I had such a sore neck from arching backwards to take photos of the ceilings. Word of warning though - even I was falling asleep when I was looking back at these photos, so there is no pressure to view all of these ones!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I decided that while in Rome it would be quite a treat (for the good Catholic girl that I am) to attend a mass service on Sunday. So just before Midday today, I headed off to Saint Maria Maggiore Church in preparation for my first Italian Mass. As I arrived, a Bishop (important priest for you non-catholics), was walking out of the church. I adopted my usual stalking photographer stance and snapped a quick one off. SPRUNG!!! He started motioning at me and I thought 'Oh Merda' (oh shit in Italian) as I believed I was in trouble. Quite the contrary. The lovely Bishop was asking whether I wanted a photo with him. Well, is Popey catholic?? Course I did (for the photo album of course). So the other nice priest took a photo of my mate (the Bishop) and I. I then ridiculously did the whole 'Japanese thank you thing' of nodding and bowing and repeating 'grazie, grazie, grazie' while backing away. And then off to church I went.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">To be honest, even though I hardly understood a word of the service, it was very special. It is probably the only Sunday Mass I will remember always. The singing was like going to an opera. It was great!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melinda on the other hand decided an afternoon of shopping in Rome was an experience she would treasure more than a mass service! We met after the service and she showed me her purchases and I showed her my nice Italian Church pamphlet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And on that note, that is the end of my Travel Emails for this holiday. Look forward to catching up soon.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnS67eDKQsUy66GV1btZ4BC8nH0A3fn_x66VpFTLn_xxQ_8tZ2cg_DQQ4aUux8s5mAnbop-ttgZpWoF7WQVGXEHrzRqEU-hzYwdcXmJd2WCZqbfJcaywgMbyTF_frZyg2Bc4mdIfS0FDC/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+rome+169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnS67eDKQsUy66GV1btZ4BC8nH0A3fn_x66VpFTLn_xxQ_8tZ2cg_DQQ4aUux8s5mAnbop-ttgZpWoF7WQVGXEHrzRqEU-hzYwdcXmJd2WCZqbfJcaywgMbyTF_frZyg2Bc4mdIfS0FDC/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+rome+169.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love Joyous xx</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Oh, one last thing. My pretty walking shoes were great and managed to get me through this holiday with no blisters to speak of. They even looked new until I dropped a piece of jam toasty bread on one of them!</span>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-12235969054679282942011-04-26T23:13:00.001+10:002011-04-26T23:13:58.983+10:00The Amalfi Coast (28th Sept)<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">I forgot to tell you last email about our 'place your life in the hands of the bus driver' 2 hour bus ride from Sorrento to Amalfi the first day we arrived on the Amalfi Coast. The drive is along the coastline (and quite high up the mountain) and although it caters for traffic to travel in both directions, for the most part it 'appears' to be one lane. However, we have proven that you can fit two very large buses, side by side with a millimetre in between, in one of those one lane sections of the road. We were on the 'drop' side of the mountain, which is probably why everyone else in the 'other' bus were smiling and waving (if the windows were open we could have hugged as well). I'm sure the looks on our faces were more of sheer terror!! Sometimes cars travelling in the opposite direction were required to reverse a short distance so we could fit past them. It appeared as though the bigger vehicle always had the right of way?? Which is probably why the Mexican stand-off with the other bus!!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">On Friday morning after meeting with our Intrepid Tour Representative (who gave us our self-guiding instructions) we headed off for our first trek along the mountainside from Ravello-Atranti-Amalfi-Ravello. What was to be an 8.9km (3.5hr) walk ended up being at least 13km (& 5.5hrs) - 10 km of which were up-hill! Apparently, when the instructions say main 'path' it does not mean main 'road'. Therefore, you shouldn't risk your life walking along that narrow one lane road for 2km's before you realise that!!! And then of course have to return along the same road to find the tiny steps (which miraculously appeared out of nowhere) which led to that main 'path'. When the Instructions say 'there are a lot of steps' - they are not exaggerating!! And finally, when the instructions say 'Scala is a nice town and offers gelati and refreshments', you must rest, taste test several flavours of gelati and ask locals if short cut exists to get to next town (as instructions very long and involve too many steps).</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Saturday's walking tour was to be a 13.8km (5.45hr) trek from Ravello-Amalfi (via Valle De Ferriere). We love these 'self-guiding' tours. We happily guided ourselves to the bus stop in Ravello and the nice bus man drove us to Amalfi in 15 minutes!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We gave ourselves a well deserved break and instead of walking up 10,000 steps, we decided to wander aimlessly through the streets of Amalfi (which strangely enough were once again lined with pretty, new and 'uncharted' shops). We also sat outside a lovely coffee shop trying to spot some famous people. Melinda and I both read recently that Sonia Kruger (Dancing with the stars) and Todd McKenney had spent some time in Amalfi (as well as some Hollywood celebrities). Now, if you were not privy to such information then you are not spending enough time at the hairdressers! My wonderful hairdresser has all the latest magazines and takes long enough during a cut/colour for me to read at least 3 of them. Either that, or you go to the same doctor as I do, who still has 1997 Women's Weeklies in her magazine stand (poor Lady Diana - that really was a tragic accident)!</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Hey, Melinda was reading a Marie Claire magazine last night which said that '50 is the new 25 - not just older and wiser, but hotter and healthier too'. Does that mean that I am now the perfect age for Donatello???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We had free access to a computer in the hotel in Ravello, so I downloaded some of my photos to free up a memory card. Unfortunately after viewing many photos, I am beginning to think I might be producing a 6 month calendar!! Apparently, photographing something from every possible angle only guarantees you end up with 50 useless photos, instead of one!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The hotel we stayed in Ravello was run by the Mancini family and the two sons, Antonio & Leonardo were the front desk clerks (and served us breakfast). They were sssooooo nice!!! We invited them to be our walking guides, but they said unless we were still walking in November (good possibility the rate we are going) they were too busy to leave the hotel. Yes, I took their photos (and took their business card with the Hotel email address, in case we go walking in November!)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cHRiuwnZ_CtBjNjdqlq-6elRb4egxLeF17CZ0h6d6jYg3dccHGuniMjgtq7Z82b3hD4Nl-ySOljrGWt-Ow90otEQuju7iMV6lZjvjTFVhPqUW33Y6Zv97KesZ4dLibxSF-Tl4LOWtzuD/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cHRiuwnZ_CtBjNjdqlq-6elRb4egxLeF17CZ0h6d6jYg3dccHGuniMjgtq7Z82b3hD4Nl-ySOljrGWt-Ow90otEQuju7iMV6lZjvjTFVhPqUW33Y6Zv97KesZ4dLibxSF-Tl4LOWtzuD/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+458.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Sunday, we were back on track! We ate a huge breakfast (energy food) and headed off to Conca dei Marini. Sunday's trek was only a short 2.5hrs (5.7km uphill again) and we kept to the timings, arriving at lunch time. We are scoring the most amazing hotel rooms. Our balcony in our Conca dei Marini hotel room overlooked the Amalfi Coastline. I could see the town of Amalfi while lying on my bed!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">We looked over our walking instructions for Monday (Conca dei Marini - Praiano) and they just had way too many steps uphill (with little photographic gain), so again we guided ourselves a few steps to the left of our hotel and caught a bus to Praiano, arriving at 10.30am this morning, instead of 3pm!! Again, a very rewarding decision as our hotel here in Praiano is a very special 4 stars!! We were even given complimentary white slippers!!! We spent some time having lunch on the hotel dining room balcony (over-looking that same gorgeous coastline) after a short stroll around the village. Melinda even managed a swim in the pool (too cold for me). I'm sure this is how the Amalfi Coast is to be experienced!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyjYZgNH4nwovqQJzk0pS4uEigawyHXPfuj9kUQdrO2MRpb71lMT0NrAp0O8gF7IvqXyJsNAuhEUJ8mh7cPd7maori5eqeN2OK3vVT8F7S7DzuJCn0DVFq0bpqTuzwLpyKvgqpTA68YYX/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyjYZgNH4nwovqQJzk0pS4uEigawyHXPfuj9kUQdrO2MRpb71lMT0NrAp0O8gF7IvqXyJsNAuhEUJ8mh7cPd7maori5eqeN2OK3vVT8F7S7DzuJCn0DVFq0bpqTuzwLpyKvgqpTA68YYX/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+%2526+Rome+354.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH96Xc5I4CLX9240yNMSnVcm5-7TrN0iMYVfEXkL3LyAsme9cm9_ztAG4ZrnGl9GiRrxGyeIB6wBSJlecuyY0On_Jzw-F0SqUZyuXk8p33XH1GogPQcbAS345BzlG_-xBsnFqeH4iXBHAl/s1600/italy-amalfi+925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH96Xc5I4CLX9240yNMSnVcm5-7TrN0iMYVfEXkL3LyAsme9cm9_ztAG4ZrnGl9GiRrxGyeIB6wBSJlecuyY0On_Jzw-F0SqUZyuXk8p33XH1GogPQcbAS345BzlG_-xBsnFqeH4iXBHAl/s200/italy-amalfi+925.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Having said that, we are off walking again tomorrow. There is a tough walk (the instructions say it is the hardest of all the hikes) which follows a pilgrim's path along the stations of the cross to the monastery of San Domenico HIGH above Praiano, on our way to Positano. Another reason why we had to rest today!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, that is all the news from here. We will have two nights in Positano and then it is off to Rome for 4 nights. Looking forward to Rome!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Hope all is well with everyone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Love Joy x</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-34910777956453487322011-04-26T23:12:00.000+10:002011-04-26T23:12:28.804+10:00Hi from the Amalfi Coast (25th Sept)<div class="MsoNormal"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Buon Giorno,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We left Venice Wednesday morning, after another 3 very enjoyable days. The city was full of narrow streets (so narrow we wondered how larger people would get through some of them); amazing stone bridges over the many canals; and architecture that once again fascinated us. Again it was different to what we have seen so far, and we wandered around in awe.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first morning we were there we followed a suggested walking tour (from the Lonely Planet Guide - thanks Carms), and it took us down streets which were away from the main tourist thoroughfare. It was like travelling through a maze and having a little surprise waiting around each corner. We must have come across at least 5 churches secluded away. Melinda gave me the task that day to read the map (brave, I know), and because the streets all seemed to end up going the same way (along with the distraction of new and exciting shops), she was none the wiser when I took a few wrong turns. The only problem was that we wanted to return to a couple of the shops and they were never to be seen again!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="131" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwE5a8mtyvBvczpNue8WFm-T05W4D-OHOvDSuHMq1ilkOUqwiws3fJggTOLON4sbx0FygnhgKdgiw-JvaSO1js5b_igfQXJVzGZY6J_KQM721nvR7hspsTiciP7qdi8uFHiAO2AkDiHCZ/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+795+copy+2+copy.jpg" width="200" /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, we did finally make it to the famous San Marco Piazza and met up with about 10,000 other tourists who also heard it was famous! I gave up trying to take a photo of the Basilica that didn't have 500 heads in front of it. I even managed to photograph the perfect silhouette of someones nose. Almost an icon itself it was so impressively large!</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We then psyched ourselves up to climb another 400 or so steps up the Bell Tower to find the only way up was by elevator. We laughed as we had just bought ourselves water in preparation for the climb!! While the aerial view of the city was impressive, I was getting angrier and angrier at all the tourists using their mobile phones, while standing in the best locations on the viewing platform (stopping me from getting my perfect photo). It was only after I muscled a few of them aside that I realised they were listening to an audio commentary (on a mobile looking phone device) which identified where the particular icons could be viewed from the platform. Opps, blonde moment!!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On Tuesday, we took a boat trip to the Islands of Murano (saw a very impressive glass blowing demonstration); Torcello (more churches); and Burano. I loved Burano. The entire island was filled with brightly painted houses. We had 20mins only and I raced around like a mad woman photographing every thing in sight. I'm sure the locals I ran past thought I was a complete freak. Why would someone photograph their underwear hanging from their balcony's? (everyone in Italy hangs their clothes from the balcony). I've never seen such an assortment of Nanna pants!! These Italians have no shame, nor do they have any sex, if their undies are any indication!!!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV-nKOendOULPvwlNhkjGlURe1iUe9lt9Wdbj7-roJ8aFSSAp7AfmojiPUKK2ZRDKkXYMEssBOItn24nJyZNxJa3QQja52b5olG8iy4TsdcRBlUyXSDf7MuoWiUnXZb4BNsBIAuchE84f/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+575+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOV-nKOendOULPvwlNhkjGlURe1iUe9lt9Wdbj7-roJ8aFSSAp7AfmojiPUKK2ZRDKkXYMEssBOItn24nJyZNxJa3QQja52b5olG8iy4TsdcRBlUyXSDf7MuoWiUnXZb4BNsBIAuchE84f/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+575+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I've decided that when I return to Australia I am going to resign from the QPS and purchase a franchise in Venice. A Water Closet (Loo) franchise! The loo in San Marco Piazza was such a money making enterprise you had to slot 1.50 euro into a turnstile to gain access!! Imagine 10,000 visitors a day at 1.50 euro each!! Or if you have a bladder like mine, 3 euro per person!!! I am so in the wrong job. I could sit in a loo all day and become a millionaire???</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXxG72S4pfZharTB2olhTdql_Nq7Nngc1ZPaqxYSfSSKKh7HK7tX1XOaATMh-lw_ZEANW-theokiuNEPMBmjC98FPz2utk9gTObi39NuqRHdFtxU00rmFJ3vXHP7yvJ_VuG1MdclxxtMp/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+1025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrXxG72S4pfZharTB2olhTdql_Nq7Nngc1ZPaqxYSfSSKKh7HK7tX1XOaATMh-lw_ZEANW-theokiuNEPMBmjC98FPz2utk9gTObi39NuqRHdFtxU00rmFJ3vXHP7yvJ_VuG1MdclxxtMp/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+1025.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now, I did pay 30 cents to use the loo in Pisa and it was so spectacular, I almost gave them a tip!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I must say I was disappointed in the calibre of the gondola men in Venice. The majority were large middle aged men who had squeezed themselves into tight striped shirts to look the part. Am thinking they may double as store Santa's at Christmas, and this is just their summer jobs!!! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the cost of 100 euro, we decided to opt out of a gondola ride. We took heaps of photos of them (no surprise there). At one stage a group of Asian tourists were crammed into one together and as it floated down the canal towards us, it looked like the 'boat people' had arrived in Venice!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo39WFMkc2C7qFPojPo5Dr5x2n31pqSgDMZTxtW4VniOpKzCVNxZV-DQrSj2mcBQSiBKcXAl-53BIGjU2u2UQe11r161fTrF5SZO_90KeCz6diM50zPXZZ-WB7Qi7EYi1n-R09G6sO1m8/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+277+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheo39WFMkc2C7qFPojPo5Dr5x2n31pqSgDMZTxtW4VniOpKzCVNxZV-DQrSj2mcBQSiBKcXAl-53BIGjU2u2UQe11r161fTrF5SZO_90KeCz6diM50zPXZZ-WB7Qi7EYi1n-R09G6sO1m8/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+277+copy.jpg" width="123" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And for those that keep asking me - no I still haven't found a nice Italian man, but I assure you, you will all know when I do!!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYwmYrCn_cJhpcoFwxhvdmXGQrFycLgBgg-bLJ58Upt2qBPRL0NdPBazfxciQ5idanJwaYi6AAnQw-9VGuaWlVqnMAaJTdyHPj47LjoBqEtxSrg6_8A9b9bCz13AsJzLMmgF8r6Fs5zJI/s1600/IMG_5556+copy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYwmYrCn_cJhpcoFwxhvdmXGQrFycLgBgg-bLJ58Upt2qBPRL0NdPBazfxciQ5idanJwaYi6AAnQw-9VGuaWlVqnMAaJTdyHPj47LjoBqEtxSrg6_8A9b9bCz13AsJzLMmgF8r6Fs5zJI/s200/IMG_5556+copy+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shopping wise, Melinda couldn't find any nice leather boots in Venice, but she consoled herself with 11 varied pieces of Murano glass instead. I managed to secure a few items myself, as any good supportive shopping friend would!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After a last minute shopping spree on the final morning, we headed off to Naples (5 hr train trip). Try walking along Murray St, Manoora alone at 10pm at night and you would have the same unsettling feeling that I had walking (with Melinda) at 5pm along the streets of Naples. It was dirty and horrible. There were African Italians selling their wares on the footpaths and you just had to see it to believe it. They had trolleys full of mobile phones, ipods, mobile phone rechargers, watches, brand handbags - all good quality legal items!!! I would have taken a photo, but I was gripping my camera case so tightly and I thought best not to annoy the nice black men. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We spent one night in Naples and that was more than enough. We walked 3 blocks and then returned to have dinner at the hotel and then left straight after breakfast. I'm sure there were nice safe streets somewhere in Naples that weren't littered with a weeks worth of rubbish (had to dodge my new wheels around some very dubious waste on the footpath), but we didn't try and find them. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer0TRuNpgwC0OzKV0uUewQ20MeOoCVZN7y-4N17NLeXUyXtgKW_YagSGXXiUNnfd66nVKYazkR0Je6K2oGfPulowpZdvQjfGShWl4OfO9VRwPaqx4m0Oiuf5NG0V8GPnCSVUk1QSMFMRy/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjer0TRuNpgwC0OzKV0uUewQ20MeOoCVZN7y-4N17NLeXUyXtgKW_YagSGXXiUNnfd66nVKYazkR0Je6K2oGfPulowpZdvQjfGShWl4OfO9VRwPaqx4m0Oiuf5NG0V8GPnCSVUk1QSMFMRy/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+052.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We are now in Ravello, a small gorgeous town on the Amalfi Coast. Our hotel room has the most amazing view of the coastline. We are here for 2 nights, as part of our Intrepid walking tour which starts tomorrow. Unfortunately it is raining at the moment, so we didn't walk too far this arvy when we arrived.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zz5p1QoRUQdkJ6fKhKUGZ5wHFifC4QZgNnm_1gnbDHELEvs-qOtPtfCm1Zj-H8cj6bg5JnZWOJdRkoDJwdrzsXfCHT9_BLiCKtllo6IEzsXeyNpqI0n1wXw5PbBYYRgz4UqM_hpf5lVw/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zz5p1QoRUQdkJ6fKhKUGZ5wHFifC4QZgNnm_1gnbDHELEvs-qOtPtfCm1Zj-H8cj6bg5JnZWOJdRkoDJwdrzsXfCHT9_BLiCKtllo6IEzsXeyNpqI0n1wXw5PbBYYRgz4UqM_hpf5lVw/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+454.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C2Ha272evLc2MLDoaIQ0gaUV2EvgfkZP9Gyy0JsnQ6M9zftFyRJJic50kunEXVpUfmEkufy3YzGkfmlzuCmUdgxwHPVnAG3viJ-5G2hFqAeGwnc09uMbqCfEicDg-RkqOKl_YO_86yk_/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+199+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C2Ha272evLc2MLDoaIQ0gaUV2EvgfkZP9Gyy0JsnQ6M9zftFyRJJic50kunEXVpUfmEkufy3YzGkfmlzuCmUdgxwHPVnAG3viJ-5G2hFqAeGwnc09uMbqCfEicDg-RkqOKl_YO_86yk_/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Amalfi+Coast+199+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, I'm sure I have bored you enough with my travel tales. I hope all is well back home. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ciao Ciao,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Love Joyous xxx </span>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-54513911189110622142011-03-27T15:42:00.001+10:002011-04-25T19:00:02.484+10:00Buona Serra from Venice (21st Sept)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hi all,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We sadly said good-bye to Florence this morning but not before a last minute wander through the markets. Melinda felt this was her last opportunity to help the Florence economy so she purchased 4 scarves. The nice scarf man showed Melinda 4 new fashionable ways to wear a scarf, so to help her memorise the different methods, she decided to colour code each method with a different coloured scarf. The blue scarf signifies the 'round and round' method with a knot at each end. The purple scarf utilises the 'fold in half and thread through' method. The green scarf starts with the purple method by the folding through but has a technical little twist at the end; and finally the brown scarf is the 'shawl' method with an extra fluff of the pretty fabric. See, when explained, it makes perfect sense to have purchased all 4???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melinda appears to be creating an Italian style rainbow with her colourful purchases. She is adding her new scarves to the purple, green and tan leather handbags (3) and red, black and brown leather jackets (3) and purple leather gloves (1) and brown and red leather purses (2) that she had already purchased in Florence. And yes, that was 3 leather jackets!!!! Need you wonder where my bad influence is coming from?? She intends searching for her matching leather boots in Venice!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While we are on the subject of purchases, I made a very exciting purchase this morning. It is the latest development at solving the lack of 'spending space' (room for purchases) in my backpack. I am now backpacking the Modern way (for someone who is stuck in Italy with a wheel-less backpack). I have a new small Carry bag WITH wheels!!!! So this morning as we trudged from the Hotel to the train station, my ears were joyously listening to the sounds of wheels on the pavement beside me. I proudly wheeled (yes, wheeled) my new Louis Vuitton look-a-like carry bag by my side and was able to forget for 10 minutes that I had a crushing weight on my back that was compressing each vertebrae.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4k4ECaoKL0CO8OKIEMwUWGvC_34XZqun62dOfMIn1KZ-zu9anxp8UAf_tEhlByKFuRG0pWElNMQ3uHKGQC7gpFj2DUdyrgIKM1COjaOuZ65WqZRNeOsFfqIrn35MB3IBqn1aQiaqt1Vq/s1600/compact+italy+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4k4ECaoKL0CO8OKIEMwUWGvC_34XZqun62dOfMIn1KZ-zu9anxp8UAf_tEhlByKFuRG0pWElNMQ3uHKGQC7gpFj2DUdyrgIKM1COjaOuZ65WqZRNeOsFfqIrn35MB3IBqn1aQiaqt1Vq/s200/compact+italy+131.jpg" width="122" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I even managed a smile when I had to hoist the said backpack onto the overhead baggage compartments above our seats in the train. Actually, to be honest, I think the smile came when Melinda expressed her admiration that I could get it up there on my own. Just prior to that it might have been more a re-enactment of a chinese weight lifter trying to go for gold with a weight that was clearly too much for them (complete with leg wobble, grunts, strained look, and perspiration). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, Oh, Oh, my next most exciting news - I have met my new Italian love interest!!! Well, maybe I didn't quite get to 'officially' meet him. He was a bit busy at the time. He was the clarinet player in the Italian Orchestra playing in the Piazza in Florence. I'm sure he would have noticed me if he wasn't so busy (I was dressed more appropriately and this time the foundation was intact). Actually, I'm surprised he didn't notice me. My camera zoom lens was extended so far it could have almost reached him. It also meant I was ready when he looked my way and smiled (I have checked the numerous photos at least 35 times to ensure I captured his every expression, including the smile when it finally came). No, it is not called stalking when you are a professional photographer???</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have named him 'Donatello'. He was like one of those God-like creatures I've mentioned previously, so he needed a good strong name. Donatello is soon to grace the Front Cover of my new Christmas Italy Calendar. I bet you all want one now!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9DBooZqJISFq-mtOIV-6MWoJP7nhDjH0vpBS8qCiNJXIXdw5mJTP1_VpaiMWoodDqo9ylI0qpbDSgVzLya3FFRqg4Vo2b3T3yFHV7ovo8YH4WEJ2R8cIpV5WPMM5BnJCXMk4q-RXmvi-/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+022+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9DBooZqJISFq-mtOIV-6MWoJP7nhDjH0vpBS8qCiNJXIXdw5mJTP1_VpaiMWoodDqo9ylI0qpbDSgVzLya3FFRqg4Vo2b3T3yFHV7ovo8YH4WEJ2R8cIpV5WPMM5BnJCXMk4q-RXmvi-/s320/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+022+copy.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Melinda informed me that I was a tad older than Donatello (Cougar image springs to mind), but she is the same age as I am, and it certainly didn't stop her taking photos as well after I pointed him out to her!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Anyway, we loved Florence and were sad to have to leave. We did a wine tour on Friday evening in the Chianti region, which ended in a beautiful 3 course meal. Was lovely. We met a really nice Canadian couple who promised if I ever went to Canada she would find a nice man for me. Good to have scouts out there helping search for that elusive (older) Donatello!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeldYo8QiqNn2CYf08Rl9mMTYreUPUC-i10K_k2KwnB6wNTpMs1Q-2zvjKNBFI5qW27B08KGLB4sZp4Lg8GBko_7MAsjuCg1vdOyO3JjaXdIFrXZ2doQGKKcZvCM4cqSjrEGD5QwkpsveT/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeldYo8QiqNn2CYf08Rl9mMTYreUPUC-i10K_k2KwnB6wNTpMs1Q-2zvjKNBFI5qW27B08KGLB4sZp4Lg8GBko_7MAsjuCg1vdOyO3JjaXdIFrXZ2doQGKKcZvCM4cqSjrEGD5QwkpsveT/s200/IMG_6027.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9qqVjajDq09wS6P7JUdvSLVtboE0X1P43dbPYvK7Pju7HHEACL3OlsllprbM6WNB8tlaC2rU-_7PuniVW06o3ajSnwx1o8VftHgij47MqnNcxFJKT5iEsM1cqDfVcpiRGQ7Ukqi8ySp/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+129+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9qqVjajDq09wS6P7JUdvSLVtboE0X1P43dbPYvK7Pju7HHEACL3OlsllprbM6WNB8tlaC2rU-_7PuniVW06o3ajSnwx1o8VftHgij47MqnNcxFJKT5iEsM1cqDfVcpiRGQ7Ukqi8ySp/s320/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+129+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlId_y-NblytWEfjjS6d7NdnuqW-Age677Y1c_7fhqTi2WgbyuHhmdm6ve9mhzksRpiBu2WtgrVCSX1UyQUhYdCa7AOaqGb-BsncMdU3zlreRhIfyUhtEykmvEpJilms9-9vs8lvES7Wd4/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+131+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlId_y-NblytWEfjjS6d7NdnuqW-Age677Y1c_7fhqTi2WgbyuHhmdm6ve9mhzksRpiBu2WtgrVCSX1UyQUhYdCa7AOaqGb-BsncMdU3zlreRhIfyUhtEykmvEpJilms9-9vs8lvES7Wd4/s320/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Florence+%2526+venice+131+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We arrived in Venice at 2pm today and spent the afternoon wandering the streets in awe. An amazing City. Again, it is so different to all the places we have been so far. Am sure to have some stories for you by my next email.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ciao Caio, til next time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love Joyous(ly) tripping around Italy...................</span></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2699757887577951525.post-68612418074054999102011-03-27T15:40:00.001+10:002011-04-25T19:00:02.488+10:00Hi from Florence (18th Sept)<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;">Hi All,<br />
<br />
Well, we sadly left Corniglia (Cinque Terre) on Tuesday morning. Probably a good thing for Melinda because she seemed to be in the wars. On the first day there she caught her finger in her elasticised travel clothesline which caused her hand to swell for 3 days. Then after all our walking in the hot sun her legs broke out in a terrible (& very unattractive) heat rash. They make them soft in Tasmania! And to top it off she fell down the internal staircase of our apartment and ended up with a massive bruise on her thigh. Gave me an absolute heart attack as I heard her fall and thought I was going to find her unconscious in a heap. Thankfully no, just in her PJ's sprawled on the ground, claiming she had a cramp. Personally, I think she was trying to slide down the banister and fell off, but she wouldn't come into that!<br />
<br />
Then it came time to re-pack the backpack. Well somehow after only 5 days, the small space I had left for purchases at the top of the pack was gone. I can't explain how 2 postcards can fill such a gap? I mean, I put my other purchases in the bottom of the pack but that shouldn't have made a difference??? I made a new discovery though - you can actually simulate that the pack has wheels, simply by just dragging it!!!<br />
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Anyway, after an uneventful 2.5 hr train ride we arrived in gorgeous Florence (Firenze). Our Hotel is a sensational 4 stars, right in the centre of Florence. And only a 3 minute taxi ride from the Train Station. Melinda wanted to walk from the train station to the hotel but I didn't want to arrive looking like a misplaced 'leaning tower of Pisa', so I convinced her a taxi was how people who stay in 4 star hotels should arrive!!</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I LOVE Florence!!!! Our first afternoon in Florence we searched out the San Lorenzo Markets - stalls of leather handbags, leather jackets, trinkets and persistent salesmen. So persistent, I was forced to make a number of purchases!! What choice did I have, really? Then we found a wonderful little pizzeria - thank God I am back on normal food.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9NNp24NE_nY7LBgpa760eczcxPptNQEH-F-rkarUXJ8dBLWr0WkVOol6UTap0zflY0PBUX2CusH65JlvBezVM3kIRnaGFVFeqkJITu33dB342laauzKLmTG3NeikXwdPnx0MfIWJJd2C/s1600/italy-florence+311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9NNp24NE_nY7LBgpa760eczcxPptNQEH-F-rkarUXJ8dBLWr0WkVOol6UTap0zflY0PBUX2CusH65JlvBezVM3kIRnaGFVFeqkJITu33dB342laauzKLmTG3NeikXwdPnx0MfIWJJd2C/s200/italy-florence+311.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
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On Wednesday we were greeted with rain, which although that didn't help with my cold, it meant we had to shelter in the clothes shops for fear of me getting wet. We also had to shelter under the eaves of the gold shops along the Ponte Vecchio bridge (There were many eaves to shelter under). I'm afraid the temptation of all that jewellery just waiting to be tried on, then convinced us to venture into the shops. To mark those rare occasions (3 rare occasions), I left with a shiney gift bag that the nice shop lady gave me as gratitude for visiting her store! So when I come home penniless (yet tastefully decorated in bling), I will know to blame it on the rain.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiEXU6Hwc87YTxFHHWDkYFBKtMGXYZEpYQRIymHSGh-P8oqDn6EbIwtX_kRlk3L236xP73-rJv5K0TW_6JXsyOF7Cs0AnPQIMq_REwcsEuYDOSAVukd225W9i7k5cHCMj-pT0uKwScUlv/s1600/italy-cinque+terre+410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMiEXU6Hwc87YTxFHHWDkYFBKtMGXYZEpYQRIymHSGh-P8oqDn6EbIwtX_kRlk3L236xP73-rJv5K0TW_6JXsyOF7Cs0AnPQIMq_REwcsEuYDOSAVukd225W9i7k5cHCMj-pT0uKwScUlv/s200/italy-cinque+terre+410.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzYr8EEabuVZERGGqyLpN2A0KKSQCuNqznl1APo2xMGlFg1D7fDn-aTND-t-p-LDZcadcklhZEVxu9HhManoQeem04K54Iswd4VLKGgDo3Maca8XHvBQErZg-5spbVnYB2MKFc3WVgS78/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzYr8EEabuVZERGGqyLpN2A0KKSQCuNqznl1APo2xMGlFg1D7fDn-aTND-t-p-LDZcadcklhZEVxu9HhManoQeem04K54Iswd4VLKGgDo3Maca8XHvBQErZg-5spbVnYB2MKFc3WVgS78/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+019.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGk_dIWO_0oQfJmqPIwHBFRsye-pUyY_E8kv6e9XfOpQssjm6BKenhYz1CnjOS34KPWZ4jm-xU1lcobIP-zfLuICMnoESEW6Rf8G7nn-xOjZTX6VrLH8kam2C-zKEcRFcJ18ZIEhzyL6J/s1600/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGk_dIWO_0oQfJmqPIwHBFRsye-pUyY_E8kv6e9XfOpQssjm6BKenhYz1CnjOS34KPWZ4jm-xU1lcobIP-zfLuICMnoESEW6Rf8G7nn-xOjZTX6VrLH8kam2C-zKEcRFcJ18ZIEhzyL6J/s200/Joys+Italian+holiday+-+Compact+Digital+017.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
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Today we took a train ride out to Italy's Medieval town of Siena. It was lovely - just a maze of narrow sreets with marble statues, fountains and ornate doors everywhere. More photos to sort through!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xvLV85shwU0lXXz3F06FE7exqmcx0oGiWos47n6PFvP3ZPLbJUn7jLY2Kt0QLivkmlg9TfgYc6MAR3YYEYUOwPg6G8urhH2b6ZzpiXZsNzNozNyi0_YSS_kDClRA1Ff7pguR5H9kjZ7C/s1600/IMG_5612+copy+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1xvLV85shwU0lXXz3F06FE7exqmcx0oGiWos47n6PFvP3ZPLbJUn7jLY2Kt0QLivkmlg9TfgYc6MAR3YYEYUOwPg6G8urhH2b6ZzpiXZsNzNozNyi0_YSS_kDClRA1Ff7pguR5H9kjZ7C/s200/IMG_5612+copy+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Tomorrow it will be a day of photographing Florence, as hopefully the weather forecast is correct (sunny day ahead). We are also going to try and jump onto a half day tour out to Tuscany for wine tasting (fingers crossed). <br />
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And on that note, it's time to head out into the streets for a quick wander before retiring to bed. It is such a happening place.<br />
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Hope all is well with everyone.<br />
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Ciao, Ciao,<br />
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Joy<br />
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p.s. Will email again in Venice. Absolutely can't wait to get there. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"></div>Joyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06517085033873574220noreply@blogger.com0