more than
tea and scones
Thursday, July 07, 2005
NO! WE DID NOT BLOW UP!
Hey everyone, Jody writing.We are in Rome from yesterday till Sunday. I donàt think weàve decided yet where we go after that, but we can talk it over in the next few days.
Well, Rome is big! And old! And hot! But other than that, itàs also INCREDIBLY beautiful! Iàm sorry that Iàm not able to post some of the pictures that Iàve taken. Yesterday we took a walking tour of the area, including the Roman forum, the colluseum and a TON of important plazas and fountains. These people build fountains and plazas for everyone! Today was spent touring on our own, and we found things like the palladium (I think thatàs what itàs called) and the mouth of truth. Tonight weàre gonna go get a bottle of wine and chill down by the fountain of trevi. (If you do a google search for photos of these things, you should be able to KINDA picture what things should look like)
Seeing as how I havenàt managed to check my email in a few days, I havenàt been able to respond to those people who emailed me asking if I survived the London subway bombings. I donàt have much info (My italian is limited at best, not nearly good enough to keep up with italian CNN) so I donàt know for positive, but someone told me that Liverpool St. station was one of the ones hit. Which is a little scary, because I spent about 2 hours there, about 2 days ago, waiting for a train.
Other than that, Iàve had no real problems so far. Jen and I found each other alright, and the worst things to happen have been sleeping overnight at Stanstead airport (I didnàt sleep a wink, and thatàs an understatement. I have photos of our "refugee village" all camped out.) and the two massive blisters, one on each foot. (of course, one is right where my sandle sits)
Anyway, thereàs getting to be a big lineup for the computers, so I have to hurry. Hope everyone is well at home. Tomorrowàs we have plans to explore the vatican and the sistine (I know I spelled that wrong) chapel, so weàll try and stalk the pope for everyone.
Ciao!
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Location: Rome, Italy
Wearing: jeans, black halter top
Day's Activities: walked around, saw the pantheon, the fountain of trevi, lots and lots and LOTS of fountains and plazas
Thing you miss: feet that dont hurt!
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Jody at 6:55 PM
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Go Go Gadget Jojo!
Look at me! I'm in London!!(You're not the only one who's shocked by that news. I can't believe I made it successfully out of the airport, let alone on the train, down the street, to the right hostel.) I'm currently using the hostel computer, and I have 8 minutes left, so I have to make this fast.
The flight was pretty rough. We took off around 1:30am, and flew north, past Edmonton, over Greenland, over lots of ocean, and finally down onto London. The flight was complete with NO leg room, smelly people, 2 screaming babies 2 rows in front of me, and a guy sitting in the middle seat next to me DOING YOGA throughout the whole flight. Swell.
I made it off the plane, through customs, found my bag, made it on the correct train, then walked and found my hostel. Each step was one little victory for me, so feel proud! The hostel here is nice, with a coffee shop/ internet cafe downstairs, and rooms upstairs. I just finished breakfast, and managed to meet 2 other guys who were on my flight from Calgary. That's right, I flew halfway around the world to meet people from my own country. It's such a communal atmosphere here.
Room, that sucks about the money! I promise though, that as desperate as I'll get, I won't ever take all your money and flee to Croatia. (I would go to Switzerland.) And you BETTER be there tomorrow, or else! (I do know where you live, at least in one country)
Today's plans are to check out of the hostel, find out how to get to the next airport. Once I get there, I want to stash my pack and wander around the area for the afternoon, followed by a nap at the airport. Holy hell is London expensive! (but they have awesome dinner!)
Anyway, 2 minutes left, so I'll post again later. I can't seem to get my palm to sniff properly for wifi, but I'll keep working on that. Hopefully if that works, I would be able to post pictures as well. Ta everyone!
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Location: St Christopher's Hostel, London England
Wearing: black capris, green golf shirt, black zip jacket, green socks, brown shoes
Day's Activities: Not sure. Wandering somewhere, I think
Thing you miss: Knowing how to go where I want to go
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Jody at 8:28 AM
Monday, July 04, 2005
Frauded in Croatia
So we have splendid and terrible news. From Budapest I wanted to hit Graz, Austria. Then while I was waiting for my train, some man offered me his return ticket to Croatia. So I headed to Croatia. Apparently the train to Austria that I was supposed to be on crashed, thankfully I was safe on my way to Croatia. On the platform to my train, I ran into Erik, some nice man from my hostel in Budapest. He lives in Croatia and offered me a place to stay...he is not interested in females, so I felt very much at ease with him and took him up on that offer.So were on this midnight train, and twice this random drunken man walks into our room and tries to jack our baggage. At least Im smart and lock my bag to the rack, and I sleep with my purse. I finally make it to Croatia with all my belongings and since it was friday night, Erik suggested we stay a couple nights in the city before heading to his out-of town home. On the train ride he asked to borrow some cash so we could take the train all the way to Split, Croatia (originally the tickets were only good for Zagreb). So I lend him some cash. Then we head to the hostel, everything is good, whatever. So then we have a good couple days, he just called his aunt and apparently his mom just gave him 400€ but its all back at his place. His aunt was supposed to come take us to his home out of town and when she came to pick him up, she would bring his 400€. So he wanted to buy his aunt a present of perfume, but his VISA failed, so I lent him the money for some perfume. Then we went to buy tickets for the ferry, the booth doesnt accept visa so I needed to take out shitloads of cash because we were going to take a ferry to some town on Sunday.
So I wake up Sunday, my money, ticket and him are all gone. At least he only stole my money, my visa card and bank card are all good, as is my passport. When we stayed at this hostel, he gave the lady his ID card and she wrote down all his details, I had to bring this info to the cops and as it turns out, he lives in some far distant part of Croatia, he has 5 pseudonyms and a mile long record. So Im out 200€, but thats really not bad...its only money, Ill just be forced to eat less for a while and not shop.
However, my lesson has been learned- trust no one.
Anyways, today Im in Rome and really enjoying myself. Im meeting jojo on Wed.
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Location: Rome
Wearing: usual
Day's Activities: take ferry from Croatia to Ancona. Explore Ancona with some awesome Montrealer. Get blisters on my feet. Take train from Ancona to Rome. Put bandaids on feet. Call parents. Shower for the first time in three days.
Thing you miss: Sleep
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jenny at 10:05 PM
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Official Backpack Theme Song!
Ok, so I've managed to find a theme song for my backpack. It's really catchy, and I've been humming it all evening as I've been packing. It goes something like this...(Should I mention that it's technically a "Dora the Explorer" song? I think not!) My personal favorite part is the "YEA!" at the end. It's a nice touch!"Back-pack Back-pack
Back-pack Back-pack
on the back, pack loaded up
with things and nicknacks too
anything that you might need,
I've got inside for you.
Back-pack Back-pack,
Back-pack Back-pack
YEA!"
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Location: Still in Calgary. Officially 23.5 hours till liftoff!
Wearing: PJs
Day's Activities: I slept, I cleaned, I did laundery, I talked on the phone, I read
Thing you miss: I think I'll miss my music the most. I'm taking a lot with me, but for an audiophile like me, it's never enough.
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Jody at 2:02 AM