Well the trip is now over, I’m writing this on the flight back. Beyond this post I will make two more: The first will be the full quality pictures taken with my DSLR, the second, the edited video of the trip (once I get time to work on both.) This has been a wonderful holiday, and I find these things are better when shared with others. If anyone wants to do something next year, even of it recovers some of the same territory, I would love to go again, wether with just someone else or with a group.

Below, is a list of observations, lessons and minor events that occurred during this trip, which didn’t make it into the blog postings. Listed in no particular order:

• Not booking hotels ahead of time is highly beneficial, though it seems preplanning would be a prudent move. If you miss a train, or plane or just change your mind on when or where you want to go, there is no stress involved with missing your appointment. In addition, cheaper deals can be had when you book in person (and not all hotels even have an online presence to prebook). There are always plenty of hotel rooms pretty much anywhere you go.

• Names that work fine in one language, don’t always work out so well in another. Examples: Griefmart (Austria) sausages called wudy pronounced “woody” (Italy), overpriced gas station

called Agip (Italy)

• Italian’s are all about the hard sale. Restaurants have someone, usually the owner always standing outside, and of you even glance at him or the menu, he will try to talk you into eating there. It’s similar with retail and especially street vendors, in your face asking you to buy. I’m not a fan of the high pressure sales approach myself. In any event, if you are easily suckered into purchases, bring someone along who isn’t.

• When traveling never do the brochure tours, or at least almost never. Looking over some of the hotel brochures we had for backup maps, manyof the places visited where either cheap (10-12€) or free and most where 10-20 minutes away. If we had done one of those tours it would have cost 55€ per person for a very short shuttle ride and a guided tour. If you need a guided tour you can always get one of the self guided tour, use a smart phone, or better yet, have someone along in your group who is interested in history.

• The streets in Rome are a nightmare for both pedestrians an cars. Some times the signal for Peds shows green when traffic in the opposing direction also has green, other times it works. Some major intersections (4 way,3 lanes) have no control, you just have to walk out and hope the traffic stops. People here,understandably get frustrated with the driving conditions and to make up time will create their own lane, and no one stops at a red light to make a right hand turn (beware if you are crossing the street with a bus blocking the view…)

• Of the 15 trains we rode in Italy and the 9 buses, only three times was there someone to check if we had a ticket or paid to get on, and they wonder why their country is in debt.

• Italian culture is very laid back, things will happen when they happen. It’s a nice way to relax, unless you need something done right away, but as the old saying goes, “When in Rome.

..”

• All the water,  most places in Europe, is potable, though often times the taste is rubbish. If you have a little extra room, bring a portable water filter (they make them for camping) it will make most water taste a lot better and will save you quite a few euro in the process.

• One day in Paris while we were eating lunch at a corner café, I was watching the traffic pass by. A couple stopped at the light. The woman was sobbing bitterly, while the man spoke to her with an apathetic face. I don’t know what transpired, but I prayed for them both, and hope whatever it is will be resolved.

• In Cinque Terra, while walking down one of the narrow streets we came across a group of old ladies, I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it seemed they might be gossiping, meanwhile a little old man sat by himself a few meters away, content to not be a few meters closer.

• When in Rome, make sure to get enough euro from an ATM. Apparently, Monday was some for of bank holiday, and when that happens, the ATMs just don’t work. Nothing to tell you this, the machine just says your card was rejected or in the case of an unfortunate man we passed, it just eats your card.

• Some Recommended Hotels, the best of the trip:

In London: Any of the Thistle hotels

In La Spezia: Firenze & Continentale

In Monterosso, Cinque Terra: Hotel Baia

In Siena: Hotel Italia

• When dining out in Italy an in France don’t expect anyone to just bring you a check at the end of your meal. It is customary in both these countries for people to relax and take their time eating and enjoying company. Once you ask, the bill will be brought promptly, well mostly promptly. Also, it is not customary in either country to leave a tip, rather it is included in the bill.

• Even though the British have a reputation for not having ice in soda and drinking warm beer, you still get ice at every restaurant you visit. In Italy, it’s almost a if ice doesn’t exist. No supermarkets seem to have ice, no hotels an if you ask for ice at a restaurant, most look at you if you are asking for some unheard of item. Seems unusual in a country with such hot summers.

• We had heard from multiple sources ( from people, books, even hotels) to watch for an epidemic of pickpockets in Rome. I can happily say it looks like they have the situation under control. We saw neither hide nor hair of a pick pocket and there was certainly an ample police force.

• Never visit Venice on Tuesday. Why you ask? Tuesday is garbage day and for a city with a largely fish diet in a hot humid environment… It’s an odor you will never forget.

• When traveling abroad, an just in general it never hurts to ask. You can often get better deals, more precise directions and have a richer experience in your interactions with the local population.

• Lastly, I have seen a new type of mullet: the dreadlock mullet *shudder*

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 5th, 2012 at 1:00 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow responses to this entry through the Comments RSS Feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.