Roma

So we just finished Rome and are on our way to Florence.

Rome went splendidly. We had a very small hotel/hostel run by a family in an apt building. There were constantly different family members in the reception area yellin at eachother. Older Italian women are quite loud. And the grandma was always sitting in there with her blue moomoo. Haha. The room was a four bed we had to ourselves and was very quaint but comfortable. Slept really well. Maybe too well sometimes as it was hard to get out of bed to see Rome. We had three nights there.

First night arriving in Rome we just walked around a lil to show the guys the style of Italy. Our hotel was up northbby termini station so we walked by the piazza republica. And while we were taking photos we met another American family. Mother and daughter (our age) from around Austin, Texas. Her aunt which bartends in Vegas was actually from Schaumburg. crazy. She was a lil tipsy and upon hearing our similar bacgrounds went for a big hug and jumps onto me and of course I had no idea this was gonna happen and she ends up pulling both of us down to the ground haha. I have a nice bruise on my knee and elbow presently :-\. but the girl was traveling with a bunch of college friends as well and will be in Florence, Barcelona, and possibly Pamplona at the same time. Teddy and Aaron were quite delighted to hear that 12 other girls may be meeting up with us. ;-).

The first full day we took the metro to Spanish steps. We proceeded to use the same tour path that I was given last hear when I was in Roma. Worked really well for us. So free we saw countless piazzas, columns, churches, Pantheon, michaelangelo's Moses (one of my favs), the roman forum, Coliseum, and other ancient ruins. It was a very very long day and lots of walking. We had a great meal in Campo de Fiori at La Carbonara, suggested by receptionist at Hostel. Great choice for pasta. We were pretty beat so we enjoyed lots of wine and hit the hay.

Second day was decently hard to get up but finally were able to get out of bed and head toward Vatican. Got off metro at Spanish steps again and headed down river. We crossed over Ponte Sant' Angelo bridge, by the Castel Sant' Angelo, featured at the end of Angels and Demons since the secret Papal tunnels end up there from the Vatican down the street.

The Vatican was as beautiful as always. Both days were very sunny and very hot, we've had wonderful weather all the time really. We've been lucky. Well maybe not Aran Islands but besides that. St Peters Basillica and the Pieta inside were very beautiful. The highlight was climbing the cupola (dome) all the way to the top of the Basillica. Great 360 view of Rome.

We tried to hit up the museum as well but got there too late. So we decided to finally shop for new shoes for Teddy. Because his blisters had been huge for like a week and we couldn't take the complaining and slow pace anymore :-P. We went down via de corso. The main shopping district in Rome. There were tons of amazing stores and boutiques. There was a skate shop called Energie that we all really liked. Although it was quite fun to walk around and finally relax a little, we sadly did not find Teddy some new shoes. We're hoping that Florence will be a little cheaper than downtown Rome. And knowing all the streets already may help too.

The last night after Vatican we went searching for two popular clubs supposedly in the area. We looked up both, Jackie O's and Alien, and down a bottle of limoncello and blood orange juice and headed out. We walked around and found not a clue of either; Even though we had their addresses. O well, better clubs comin in Florence and I know exactly where these are. I'm writing this on the 4 hour regional train from Rome to Florence to post later when we reach Plus Florence hostel.

I am so ready for Florence. :)

Stephano Diebazini

Pictures coming soon I promise!

All the way down through London

6/27

Ello chaps,

It's getting hard to find wifi and time enough to drop messages. But found both for a lil so I'll fill ya in. Lots happenin.

So Galway was very nice. Pretty small with some fun bars playin Irish music and lots of young people on main drag.

Aran islands were gorgeous. Lots of sheer rock and horses and cows and miles and miles of old manmade rock fencing. About 9 mile long island. We took a ferry from Galway coast to the islands. We rented a bike and began to ride in the beauitful Ireland weather we were having, until we got across the island. Serious clouds rolled in and it began to pour. So here we are no rain gear or jackets, wearin shorts and shirt, with tons of electronics in our packets and miles of hilly windy tiny paths between us and shelter. We had to miss seeing the big castle in middle of the island and booked it back to the docks. At this point we are soaked, we are fearing for our passports and electronics in pockets and so still had so far to go. And then my handle bars started to slide off. :( the rain was making them even worse and they were barely connected to the bike making it very difficult to drive. We finally make it back. The bike renters said it looks like we dove into the water since we were so soaked.

A small restaurant was was very nice to us to let us in and wait for the last ferry back. Everyone in the small restaurant laughed with us when we entered and we made some jokes with them. We took apart all our electronics and laid em out to dry on the table. And took turns goin to bathroom to stand under the hand dryer. Fun time. All electronics survived just fine. Not sure about my American phone Whig was in my backpack since it's makin weird noises but hopefully it's ok.

So the trip from dublin to London was quite eventful. We took Ryan air that only allows 1 10kg bag per person as carry on. So the flight from Dublin to Cork was first leg and then Cork to London was second. we decided that there was no way we could get away with 1 small enough bag each so I jus checked mine for a fee. Aaron and Teddy tried to wear a ton of their clothes and get enough weight out of the their bags. Aaron failed and ended up checking his bag and Teddy wearing a lot of excess clothing actually made weight, but was confused by the process, ended up checking his bag anyway on accident and also forgot to take all the clothes off before he checked it. Haha. Making all that he did useless.

Cork was actually quite beautiful, there was a 7 hr layover so we ventured around the small Irish city. We ended up liking it more than Dublin actually. More hilly and very beautiful churches.

While in Cork we were waiting for our bus back to the airport and Aaron had an itch on his arm. It was a tick and we have no idea where it came from. Thank god we had 30 min before the bus came because this ordeal took every second of it. He was quite nervous about it and he was the only one allowed to try to get it out although it was on the back of his arm. We tried to burn it out and that ended up being a myth and not working. So he pulled it out piece by piece with tweasers and was able to get it all after the long process. He's doing fine.

So the flight to London from Cork we were determined to to not check bags. So they all wore some clothes and easilly made weight. I, with a computer, was not gonna succeed so easilly so I managed to sneak my bag through check in. Then while waiting to board we found they were pulling people out weighing bags as we all boarded! I ran to the bathroom and proceeded to put on almost all my clothes. 13 shirts, boxers, 2 pairs of shorts (one of which was still decently soaked from the rainstorm), and pair of jeans. And was sneakingly carrying my laptop in under my arm. When I went up to board I waited for someone to be busy weighing another bag while I quickly scanned my ticket and darted thru. Made it fine. That plane ride was quite warm.

When we got to London we thought we'd just check into one of the hostels we looked up earlier. All hostels in the area were booked because of really popular weekend for some reason. We ended up walking forever with all our bags. We befriended a worker at a hostel and she searched for new hostel for us. Found one on other side of town which we had to get to in an hour if we wanted it. We barely made it at 1:30am in time and got our room.

London was gorgeous and their subway "tube" was wonderful. Saw big Ben, st Paul, Tate modern museum, globe theatre, tower of London, and much more and had wonderful fish and chips. Great city. And today now we are currently on a train from London to Gatwick airport. of course we are in a rush again. I don't kno when we'll learn our lesson and finally leave with enough time. O well running's good for ya.

Little layover in Dusseldorf Germany and then Roma for few days and rest of Italy! (and longer stays finally).

Stephen Diebchester

And We're Off...

So it's been hard finding internet, but I have a few posts i wrote while on some buses that i can copy and paste now to catch everyone up.

6/23

I arrived in Dublin yesterday around 10:50 local time. We hopped on a local bus from the airport for 2euro and took 45 min ride into the city center. As soon as I stepped on the bus I knew I was outnumbered. The redheads were everywhere haha.

After arriving in the city we took quite a while to find our hostel. But finally arrived after walking down the Liffey river. Hostel was very nice and funny enough we were the only americans. Everyone else was German French or Australian. We set down our bags and started gettin touristy. Went to few churches and listened to a free walking tour, heard of all dublins history. Stopped for fish and chips which was a fried fish bigger than a football.

Then was the best part of the day: Guiness brewery. It was actually quite fun and a beautiful building inside. it ended with a free pint at the top of the brewery in the gravity bar: a bar offering a 360 view of Dublin at one of if not tallest buildings. It was great.

Afterwards we went to Trinity College and had a burger at a small brewery bar. The burgers are better at home. Went out to some bars with one of Teddy's Irish friends. He told us a lot about the city and what Irish think of Americans, which wasn't too bad. We decided to turn in somewhat early after some beers because we knew we'd be leaving early for Galway.

Which is why I am presently messaging you from a bus going thru Irish countryside (crazy the bus has wifi). When we get to Galway were gettin a hostel, droppin off bags, and jumpin on the ferry to the Aran islands off the coast to do some biking. Night in Galway and then bus to Dublin airport to start the long trip to London.

Everything going well and were all getting along, for the time being. Talk to u all soon. Wish you were here.

Steve O'Diebrien

And It Begins

It is 9 am on 6/21 and I finishing up packing for my next great trip. It is a 42 days / 16 cities tour through Europe with two college buddies of mine, Aaron Aves and Teddy Lu. I'm in a rush to finish packing and get to the airport for the flight at 2:15pm today. Our first stop is in Dublin and that is where you'll hear from me next.

Until then, wish me luck.