Still alive...in Stockholm!

Hey all!! I am sorry, sorry, sorry!! I have been having such an awesome time the past week and a half that I haven't had time to do anything...haven't checked email, haven't posted on my blog (don't ask me when I'll make up the past couple weeks worth of funness!!)

So, let me give you a brief rundown:

I had a fab time at the Cinque Terre with Janelle and Natalie. I spent the next 4 days in Florence. I love Florence. I can't get over how amazing it was!! I saw so many wonderful places, beautiful works of art and architecture, and met some great people! Mark, an American guy that is living in Florence going to art school, showed me the city through a semi-Florentine's view (he's been there 10 months). Part of that semi-Florentine advantage: some of the most amazing gelato I´ve ever tried!! He took me to Vestri, a place that sells dark chocolate gelato with cayenne pepper in it. Sounds strange, but it was awesome! Gelato that bites back!

I took it easy in Florence, just enjoying the city. Finally, Friday came and I decided it was time to leave. I caught the train (not without plenty of difficulty, of course! If it's me and a train, you know there has to be problems). I looked at my ticket wrong and thought my arrival time was my departure time...so, AGAIN I changed the ticket. While I waited for my train to arrive (and it was delayed over 1.5 hours), I talked to two girls in the station who were also waiting. They were playing Uno, so I asked if I could join. Come to find out they are from Washington, DC. So, we had a nice chat about how amazing it is and how I should definitely move there. It was great.

I arrived in Rome and got to the hostel: BellaRoma. I felt dirty and tired. I took a shower...which didn´t really help because Rome is HOT! There were a couple of Americans in my room. One kid was from Tulsa, OK and it was his first time traveling...and he was traveling alone. You could see it in his face that he wasn't too sure about it. I assured him that traveling alone is fun and that there´s no reason to be homesick. I don´t think he believed me.

The next morning we all got up pretty early. There was one person who´d arrived late last night that finally stirred because we were so noisy. His name is Kristian and he´s from Denmark. I started talking to him and asked what he was planning on doing in Rome that day. He said he´d see the ancient sites. I had planned on seeing the Vatican, but I figured if I could have some company, maybe the ancient sites wouldn´t be such a bad idea.

So, we saw the Colossuem (pretty cool!) and Circus Maximus...and a bunch of other ruins. I really wish I knew more about Roman history. I think I would have enjoyed the ruins more. But, it was just really hot and looked like a bunch of rubble. Next time I go, I will read up on the history.

We walked all through the city, saw the Memorial to Victor Emanuel II...it´s also their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It´s an incredible monument!! We saw the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps, and the Trevi Fountain. I threw my coin in over my shoulder, so I´m sure to return to Rome someday.

Which is a good thing...because I didn´t have barely any time there! I went to church on Sunday. It was quite an ordeal trying to find it! There I met Rosa Rodriguez. She´s from Peru and was just so sweet to me! She invited me to her house for lunch and we had a great time. She´s in her 40´s and lives alone. It was just fun to talk with her...and her Italian is as Spanified as mine (Spanified meaning you slip in Spanish every few seconds). We spoke this mix of Spanish/Italian with each other...but, we knew exactly what the other was saying.

That afternoon Kristian and I walked around the city some more. It's just an incredible place! Rome overwhelmed me a bit...especially after being in Florence which is so much smaller and more manageable. I hear that Siena is even better than Florence! Something to look forward to!

Monday morning I packed up and headed to the airport. I thought I left with plenty of time to make my flight...but, true to Amy fashion, I cut it SO very close! There was a big problem with my luggage because it was too heavy to be a carry on and the line to pay for your luggage (you have to pay for each bag you check on Ryanair) was insanely long...and I was stressing like no other because my plane was going to leave in less than 10 minutes!!! I finally got my bag checked and sprinted to the gate...which had been closed. They let me pass...and had to take me out to the plane in a special little car. They were practically lifting the stairs to the plane as I was walking up them. Phew! I don´t know what I would have done if I´d missed the plane!

I arrived in Sweden...and it is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!!! It´s so clean and beautiful! I love it! I managed to make my way into Stockholm...and was just in awe of the beauty of the city and its buildings! From Stockholm I took the train to Enkoping where Fest I Nord would be held. Fest I Nord is a big young single adult conference that the church in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden holds every summer. Kids from 18-30 are invited to attend. It´s a week long party! And I loved it! I saw my favorite Finns (some of the kids I met in college) and met some great people!

One girl, Lindsay, an American working as an au pair in Denmark, and I became fast friends. I think it was the fact that we are both Americans, foreigners...the shared experiences, etc. She was wonderful! She and I are about the same size, so she outfitted me the entire week (her clothes were WAY cuter than my backpacker wardrobe that never seems to look clean now--note: the picture to the right is from the Decades Dance...her clothes weren't all 80's style) and she and I shared a double air mattress since I didn´t know you were supposed to bring your own blankets and bedding. She definitely made things easier on me this week! We had fun!

I met lots of Swedes and Finns. I wasn't sure if the Norwegians existed...and I met a few nice Danes. It was tons of fun just to meet new people and experience new things...and immerse myself in a new culture! We had dances every night, a sports day, a day of lectures, and plenty of time to socialize.

It went so fast! Before I knew it, it was Friday and we were packing up and leaving. I decided to stay the weekend in Stockholm...having made some good friends here. So, that´s the rough outline of my last week and a half. I hope that I can find time to write more consistently. I am sorry for those of you that thought I´d been snatched!!! :) Sorry for no pictures...I´ll work on it!

Love you all!

Photos from Fest I Nord and Stockholm:














Me and Otso, one of my favorite Finns













Me and Karoline, a fellow American














Me and Mikael, my date for the Gala Dance












Such hansome boys!! Michael (USA), Niclas (Sweden), Luke (New Zealand), Ami (Finland)














My Swedish friends: Evelina, Malin, Ilona, and me












Evelina showing her Viking roots!














Me and Lindsay...giving our Swedish boys a salute!















A walk in Gamla Stan: Kent, Evelina, Ilona, Alexandra, Mikael (as you see, the viking hat was a favorite of all!! It was a gift from Lindsay to me :)











Kent, Raul, and Janne















Janne strikes a pose...sassy!












Lindsay and I DID find Norwegians!! Bjarte, Martin, Eva, Moses, Trond, James, Rebekke, Daniel, and Lindsay












Me, Jenny, and Christina












My Swedish family: Christina, Katarina, and Chris

The Magic of Florence!

Sorry I haven't written the past couple days! I've just been getting to know beautiful Florence!

On Tuesday I went to the Palazzo Vecchio and met two girls from Arkansas, Amanda and Tamara. They were signing up for the same tour as I was. It was fun to hang out with them a bit. They are both seniors in college...just having one last fling before they finished up. They invited me to go to dinner with them, but I was working on meeting up with someone that I'd met at church on Sunday.

Having a cell phone could be very handy! The only way I can contact people is through email. I had received an email from Mark, one of the expats I met at church on Sunday, offering to show me around Florence. He had mentioned the school he goes to and what time he got out of class...so, in a slightly stalker-esque fashion, I looked up the school and waited outside for him to finish. I looked at it this way: a) he thinks I'm a bit of a psycho for hunting him down like that, but at least I get to hang out with someone that night or b) I can worry that I appear like a stalker, not meet up with him, and spend the evening by myself in my hotel room since all the sights close around 6:30.

It's kinda fun not worrying what people think...you're only here for a short time, right? So, I went to the school, he showed me the art studio (it's an art school) and then we walked a bit around Florence. Mark showed me an awesome gelato place...and I had chocolate and cayenne gelato! It was awesome! We went over to the Palazzo Vecchio, sat in the piazza watching people, seeing the statues, commenting on the ridiculous rules imposed by the security guards (you're not allowed to sit cross-legged. You have to keep one foot on the ground, at least or they come over to you with their big dog and the guns strapped to their belt and point to you to put your feet on the ground). Strange.

After that, we met up with a girl named Liz who is studying Italian. She's from Texas. We went to a small trattoria "Il Gatto e il Volpe" and met another student from the art studio, Joe. He's a 50 or 60 year old man from Ireland. So, the four of us had a nice dinner...and the great thing about Italy is you just sit and relax. The waiters don't come and bother you...and you can stay at the table as long as you like. We were there for about 3 hours...just eating and talking about all sorts of things. Liz is a really skinny girl who can't drink a lot of alcohol...and Joe, being polite, kept filling her glass with the wine he'd bought. She just kept getting funnier and funnier as the night went on. She wasn't drunk, just very buzzed. I'm happy to be the observer and not the participant in those situations, though!

So we all left and walked our different directions. Liz got on the bus to head to her host home and Mark and I walked around the city. We walked over to the river Arno...the Ponte Vecchio is a pretty happening place at night. He explained why it was so important. It was the only bridge not blown up by the Allies during WWII. It is so old...dates back to the Medici in the 1400s...so they could cross the river without having to mix among the commoners. It was a fun evening!

The next day I went to The Uffizi, the art museum. I really enjoyed it. Sat there in front of Boticelli's Birth of Venus for a VERY long time. It was my favorite painting while I was growing up...and I just enjoyed seeing it...the real thing. Big and beautiful! The Uffizi isn't a very museum-goer-friendly museum. I was not as impressed as I was at the National Gallery...and I hear the Louvre is even more amazing. But, it was beautiful and a great way to spend the morning. I met Mark for lunch and had some awesome pasta and tomatoes with mozzarella and basil! Mmm...I'd lost weight in Barcelona, but I think it's coming back here in Italy!

In the afternoon, the hot afternoon, I went to the Duomo museum and the Duomo. Beautiful buildings! This morning I was going to go to the Palazzo Pitti...but I have kinda wasted the morning. I've gotta learn to NOT do internet in the mornings. Take advantage of the time to go see things...and do Internet at night.

Anyway, not anything too exciting. But, I'm really enjoying Florence! I could definitely live here...it's a fabulous small city!

Baking in the Cinque Terre

Yesterday was fabulous! Great locale, great travel companions, a great time all around. Sunday night, Janelle, Natalie, and I decided to take the earliest train out of Florence and go to Cinque Terre, the 5 coastal fishing villages on the Northwestern coast of Italy.

Trains, as you may have guessed, are no my forte, but we managed to get on an early one (6:50) and headed out. We rode through Pisa and strained to see the Tower...but no such luck. Apparently it's not right next to the train tracks.

We arrived in La Spezia, bought our 5 euro ticket to Cinque Terre...which allows you ride the trains from city to city all day and hike between them. We started off in Monterosso. All the cities are so cute and little and very "typical." It's exactly what you'd picture a coastal fishing village to be like.

The hike between Monterosso and Vernazza was the longest and most difficult. It was hot and the sun was pretty strong. Natalie and I ended up with a decent sunburn while Janelle, whose skin is better suited for the sun, probably got more of a tan. We chose to start at the fartherst city (Monterosso) and do that hard hike first so we could take it a little easier as we continued through the day.

WOW! It was gorgeous, hot and quite a difficult hike! Skinny 1-1 /2 foot wide trails, tons and tons of stairs made of rocks to climb up the steep coastal hills. Some gorgeous views, though! I was glad to have the company. It would have been WAY more tedious to have done that on my own like I'd been planning. We decided that Cinque Terre would be an ideal honeymoon spot, too...lots to do, very cute and charming...and, in the off season, would be quiet and AMAZING! There are small beaches, there are sunbathing rocks, there's the sea, the hills, the shopping, the restaurants. It was awesome!

In Vernazza we treated ourself to some much deserved gelato (I got a fruity sherbet kind) and then took the ferry from Vernazza, past Corniglia, to the 4th of the five towns (I can't remember its name right now). From there, we walked to Riomaggiore, the 5th town, decided we were hot, COMPLETELY exhausted, and ready to head back to Florence.

After the 2 1/2 hour train ride, we treated ourselves to dinner at a Florentine Trattoria. We bought a bruschetta appetizer...it had the toasted bread with different toppings. One was chopped olives (mmm!), another was smoked salmon and cheese (not that great), another was typical bruschetta with tomatoes, basil and olive oil (awesome) and the fourth was some sort of liver pate. It was weird...not my favorite, but not the most disgusting thing I'd ever eaten. I don't really plan on making it a habit of eating liver, though. I had spinach gnocchi in a pomadora sauce and tried Natalie's pesto pasta and Janelle's florentine crepes. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to a shared ice cream with fudge sauce. We thought it would be chocolate cake with ice cream, but at that point, in our exhausted state, we didn't care.

They head off to Rome today, so I said goodbye. It's strange...because I really felt like I'd become good friends with them in the short time we were together. And yes, we'll swap pictures, but beyond that, there's not a lot of foundation for friendships to be maintained. That's the hard thing, I think. It's meeting such great people...and then being willing to let them go. I guess that's a difficult thing for me to do. But, it's a good life lesson, too. You've got to know how to let go of people and enjoy the memories.

At my hotel, I washed my laundry, packed up and got to bed. I've got lots to do today...and not a lot of time to do it.

I'll try and add pictures later. Next time, though, I'm going to learn how to better use the technology available to me...BEFORE I go.

E bella la citta!

14-16 July 2006:

Sheesh!! These computers are going so slow!! Sailing was...well, a no go. Sounded fabulous and great, but you've gotta go with your gut feeling. I met this kid, Landon, and his friend, Fai, at the Duomo. Nice kid, but I kinda got the impression that he couldn't care less if I went sailing with them or not. I know it was my decision, and he definitely left it up to me, but there was no "Sure...come! It'll be fun!" It was more of a, "If you want to, come. If you don't, no skin off my back." So...they went into the Duomo and that gave me five minutes to decide. I'd come up with a plan B earlier that day...and opted for plan B. I didn't have a BAD feeling about sailing with 5 guys on the Mediterranean, but I didn't feel all that welcome, either. So...Florence sounded like a great idea.

I broke the news to them (they were heartbroken...ha! Right!) and I headed off as quick as my legs could carry me to the trian station. I bought a ticket for Florence, the last train leaving that night. I rushed off to the internet hoping to find a hostel available. But, you can't book a hostel online for the very same day! Darn it! So, I was going into Florence, arriving at 11 p.m. with no place to stay. That was the major stress on my 3 hour trip.

I sat there, consulting my travel guide...writing down phone numbers of different places that I could possibly afford. I kept a mental monologue going...thinking, "Amy, it's not the FIRST time that someone has slept in a train station! Come on! No big deal!" "Amy, you have a credit card for a reason. If it costs you $100 for a room...for one night...it's not the end of the world." I just kept reminding myself that things would work out.

We arrived at the station and I bolted to a phone. After a couple of attempts trying to figure out how my Italian phone card worked, I started calling hostels and hotels. Finally, a lady said she'd have a room for me. It was going to cost me 60 euros. Not the end of the world...and it had air conditioning, it's own bathroom, and included breakfast! Sweet!

So, I walked to Tourist House, where my room was located. It wasn't too bad. Clean and quiet. I was so grateful!

I washed clothes in the bathroom and crashed in my bed. Exhausted!

I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to go. I met a nice couple from Texas that is living in Milan. They were sweet...living the life I only dream of. They have 4 kids and they've moved them all from Texas to live in Milan for a year. She's a photographer, so she took my photo and got Mom's email address to let her know that her baby is doing all right...with a photo to prove it. A few minutes later, I met a girl from Bozeman, MT! She even knows who my Montana roommates are! Small world after all!

I went out looking for a place to stay and stumbled across a one star hotel: Hotel Desiree. It's located very near the station and it's nice! They gave me a great offer: 30 euros a night for a single, with air conditioning, breakfast, and my own bathroom. Sweet! So, I've been staying there and it's been so nice.

Yesterday I headed to the Accademmia...after an hour wait in the sun...and saw the MANY Italian Renaissance alterpieces. It's amazing stuff, but as Trevor asked me, "Seeing SO much of that stuff...doesn't it get old?" Yes. I got to the point where I'd just scan for names I had studied and look at those works rather than intensely study each and every piece. I proceeded through the museum and turned the corner...BOOM!
There he was. David! It was AMAZING!!! It's an absolutely beautiful sculpture! The setting is incredible...down the hall, set apart from any other statuary, arches...gorgeous! I walked past Michelangelo's Slaves/Prisoners...where he is "freeing" the work from the marble. They're pretty cool. But, not nearly as impressive as David!! It's just amazing. There's nothing quite like it.

Afterwards, I treated myself to gelato for dinner and then headed to the Piazzale Michelangelo. You cross the River Arno and I spied the Ponte Vecchio...I wish I knew what was so special about it...anyone want to inform me?

At the Piazzale Michelangelo, there's another David. Please note the effects of sun exposure. Protect your skin...unless you want to look like this!

I climbed up the hill to enjoy the sunset over the Arno and Firenze...I had lots of time, though. So, I people-watched and talked to a few. An old man sat next to me and we began to talk. He spoke English, which is great since my Italian is severely lacking! He offered to give me a guided tour of the church up there, San Miniato al Monte.

Piero, my guide, has such a passion for Florence. He knew so much about the church, it's symbolism, history, and I truly enjoyed my little guided tour! He was such a nice old man...until he turned a little...creepy.

The tour ended behind the church...no people around, really. He turns to me and, after an hour or more together, he says, "Amy, in this moment, I love you." Awww...that's sweet. I told him I felt very fortunate to have met him and to have such a great tour. He gives me a big hug (fine), kisses both my cheeks (fine), and then keeps his arms wrapped around my waist (not fine!). He's talking to me, arms around my waist...kinda like you might stand with your boyfriend or someone you are interested in at the end of a goodnight hug...I was weirded out! I tried my best to get out of it. He finally let go, but that didn't stop him from expressing how much he loved me (he claimed it was all the love of sharing beautiful things with a person who appreciates those beautiful things)...and he tried to kiss me on the mouth as we were walking...talk about awkward and really weird! I didn't want to be mean and shove him away...he'd been very kind. But he was getting WAY too touchy-feely for me! I thanked him again, promised to send him a postcard from my travels, and then he was off. I was relieved!! I immediately took my hand sanitizer and got the corner of my mouth, where he almost kissed me, disinfected. Ew. By the way, that's my nervous-smile in the picture with Piero...a little too big. Can't you hear my nervous giggle??

I called Mom and talked to her for a while. It was so nice. I've really enjoyed this trip. There are only a couple times that I've wished that someone were here with me...not anyone in particular...just someone to share the moments with. But, you can't beat going at your own pace!
I sat on the steps of the Piazzale with a few dozen other people and watched the sun cast rosy orange hues on the River Arno and through the Ponte Vecchio. It was pretty magical. I ate my toasted crackers and jam while cute couples shared bread, cheese, and wine with each other. That may be a reason to come with someone else :)

The sun went down and I headed back towards my albergo/hotel. I walked across the Ponte Vecchio...just a lot of people. I saw the lucky pig...the one that is in so many cities and if you rub it's snout, you have good luck. There's one in the Plaza in Kansas City...you've probably seen it.

I finally made it home and crashed in my bed. It was great!

I woke up and had a fabulous breakfast!! This albergo is awesome! I walked to church...which took a little longer than I expected. I understood quite a bit of Italian...which was fun for me! There are a number of Americans there...we even had an English-speaking Sunday School class. There are a few people studying art at some of the universities in Florence...what a blast! Florence is definitely a place I could get used to...I could even live here! There were 2 girls who I started to talk to after church. They're visiting...a 16 day trip to Europe. They are so nice and we became instant friends. Janelle, 27, is from California and teaches 2nd grade in Utah. Natalie, 26, is from Utah and teaches junior high. They are both returned missionaries, spanish-speaking missions...we have lots to talk about.

We decided to go to Fiozole this afternoon. It's a bus ride up a hill...about a kilometer or 2 outside of Florence. Talk about a view!! It was really nice to be with them...and it's when I'm with really nice, normal people that I wish I had someone to hang out with all the time. There's something so much better about sharing with people.

We tried to head back to Florence in time for a fireside at church, but didn't make it. The busses don't stop at all unless you are AT the bus stop. The bus from Fiozole passes every 1/2 hour...and saw us coming, but refused to stop. Punks!

Tomorrow I am going with the girls to Cinque Terre to hike between the 5 fishing villages. I was going to go Tues/Wed, but it's a blast to be with them...so I'll do it in one day and change my plans to accomodate the daytrip.

I've been searching for a hostel in Rome...that's proven to be pretty difficult. I've been spoiled with the A/C and don't want to get any room without it. I might have to lower my standards a bit, though.

I'm having a blast...it's fabulous to meet people and to see these things. It hits me a couple times a day as I'm just looking at the amazing things around me: I'm in Italy!!!

That's definitely a priceless feeling!

Ciao Milano!

Hello everyone! Great news: I made it out of Spain! Although, it was nothing short of a miracle. Yesterday I went to the train station, first thing, to change my ticket from Interlaken, Switzerland to Milan, Italy. I did some emailing/internet, got my 3rd bocadillo (the baguette sandwich with an egg omelet on it)...mmm!! And got ready to go to the beach.

What a cultural experience, to say the least. It's not that I was surprised...I wasn't. But, these women have NO qualms about taking that top off and walking around bare-breasted! And we're talking women of ALL ages...from the smallest 2 year old to the oldest 75+ woman...in all her glory! I didn't feel gutsy enough to bare it all...and I was probably the MOST covered girl on the beach with my tankini on. String bikinis are THE swimsuit on the beach in Barcelona.

I'm not much of a beach type...and going by myself was not the greatest. I was paranoid about leaving my things on my blanket and going into the water. I didn't want to get anything stolen. So, I would run into the water, keeping a sharp eye on my blanket, get out and read a book, run into the water, get out and read...it was getting old. After 2 hours, the sky got overcast and I decided that was a perfect time to head back to the Nield's apartment, gather up my things and go!

The Nields were just getting ready to leave when I came to their place. We talked for a little bit and then they headed out. I got a shower, packed up my things, double-checked to make sure I had everything, and went out. I stopped by the Instititute building, where they were teaching English lessons, so I could say goodbye. After a picture and a hug, I was on my way to the metro station.

I was definitely cutting it close, but I was sure I could make it. I got on the metro at 8:05 and my train left at 8:40. I had intended to already be at the station at 8 p.m., but those didn't happen. So, I willed the Metro to go faster. And it did...or at least it seemed to.

I got to the metro station for the train station around 8:30. I didn't see any signs, so I walked across the street and asked a guy. My first hint should have been the open container of wine...but, he was the only person around. I asked where the train station was and he said, "The other side of the street," as he pointed down the road. I asked, "Down the road?" He confirmed it.

I was getting stressed...less than 10 minutes to catch my train. I started to run, with the backpack. I was running along the walls of the train yard...so I knew I was NEAR the train station. I kept running and running...reminding myself that I had run a marathon without stopping, so there was no way I was going to stop running just because I had a backpack on my back. After a few minutes of all out running (and sweating), I STILL hadn't come to the entrance and I was freaking out. I asked a couple on the sidewalk where the entrance was and they pointed BACK the way I had come saying it was WAY down that way!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!

I turned-tail and sprinted, as best I could with the stupid 30 pound backpack on my back, and ran and ran. I wouldn't stop. I ran around the corner and still didn't see an entrance. I asked someone really quickly and they told me to keep going around the NEXT corner. GOODNESS! I ran and ran, ran into the empty station and threw my bag down on the conveyor belt for security check. The guy asked me "Milano?" I said yes (it was 8:39 at this point) and he told me to pick up my bag and get to the platform. I sprinted over to the platform and was the last person on. Whew!!!!!!

I sat in the first car I came to, soaked in sweat, my face redder than a sun-ripened tomato...and just fanned myself with my fan while I thanked the Lord that I had made it. What was I going to say if I missed my train a THIRD time?!? I tried not to curse the drunk man for giving me bad directions. I'm sure he didn't mean to...but I've learned to ask and ask again. Especially if it is important.

I walked down the small hallways...quite a sight! My shirt was soaked through and I was glowing a lobster-red (unfortunately, I caught a view of myself...scary stuff, folks!). I finally found my compartment and collapsed onto my seat. There were two women in there already (it was a female sleeper car). The first one, young like me, says, "Do you speak English?" When I said yes, she breathed a sigh of relief thinking that she would be stuck with foreign speakers for the whole trip.

Her name is Gina and she's doing a 31 day European tour with her husband. They're from Seattle. She's a teacher and her husband is a mechanical engineer (he was in an all-male dorm). She was really cool. We talked for the better part of 2 hours. The other woman, Claudia, is from Columbia but lives in Switzerland now. She was really sweet, too. I talked to both of them...serving as translator when they spoke to/about the other. It was fun.

This scary guy that was WAY too interested in getting to know me and Gina stopped by our cabin and starts speaking in Italian. I answered back with my limited Italian. He's from Morocco and asked if Gina and I had boyfriends. I told him that Gina was married (he automatically looked at my hand and didn't see a ring...ummm...by the way, Mom, I lost the ring you lent me on the beach when I was putting sunscreen on. I'm sorry!!) and I quickly assured him that I had a boyfriend...a big one! With lots of muscles! All right, so I didn't add the big and muscle-y part, but I didn't feel bad telling him I had a boyfriend. He told me he was looking for a girlfriend...and she could be from anywhere, he didn't mind: American, German, English....

At that point I just wanted him to leave. I wished him luck and turned back to Gina. He stood at the door and listened to us jabber in English for another 2 minutes, completely ignoring him, and then he left. We promptly shut the door.

Creep.

I slept SO soundly on the train. Before I knew it, the night was over and we were flying through the Italian country-side. Gina had gotten off the train in Torino, so just me and Claudia were left in the cabin. She was very nice. She even treated me to breakfast in the dining car. I had hot chocolate with a croissant.

Again, the creepy guy came by and tried to talk to me and Claudia...but Claudia was very good at being short and formal with him. He left us alone after that.

We pulled into the station, I showed my passport to the customs people. They don't stamp it, though :( Bummer! I guess that whole EU thing means you don't get a stamp unless you come in from a non-EU country. At least, that's my guess.

I wandered around the station, looking for a place to stow my bag. I found the luggage-keep and started talking to the girl in line in front of me. She was by herself, so why not? Her name is Abi and she's from Scotland. She's 18 and doing her first solo European trip. So, we got to talking and I asked her what she was going to do in Milan. She wanted to see the Duomo and that was about it. So, I suggested we go together.

We went to the Duomo and were approached by this guy from Senegal. He had these "friendship bracelets" that he was trying to put on our wrists. I told him I wasn't going to buy anything. He said they were for luck and that they didn't cost anything. As soon as they were on our wrists, he asked for money. I told him he could take mine off if he wanted it because I wasn't paying. He just left. I've gotta be better at saying no and walking away.

The Duomo, like every other amazing building in Europe, is covered in scaffolding! We walked around it once and it's incredible!! The inside was beautiful with the stained glass...so pretty! It was good to have a friend with me to take pictures, too :) I'll post them when I get a chance. I left my cable in my backpack.

Afterwards, we wandered around the city a bit, saw the Gallaria V. Emanuele II, and headed to the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana. My book claimed that it housed the School of Athens by Raphael. I guess I should've known better, but it doesn't have the actual fresco. It's got Raphael's preliminary drawings. Not the same thing. But it was a neat museum.

I went to see Da Vinci's Last Supper and knew that you had to get reservations. I thought, maybe I'll get them for Sunday after I get back from the sailing trip. Their sold out through July!!! :( Shoot!! So, I don't know when I'll see the Last Supper. Dang!

I walked back towards the city center. There's not a ton to do in Milan. I bought my first gelato (Nutella!!) and ate it happily. That will due for lunch and dinner, I guess. I'm such a cheapskate and I definitely skimp by not eating.

I'm going to meet up with this kid to go sailing at 6:30. Should be a fun experience. We'll see.

Sorry there are no photos. They'll be coming.

Milan is not as "chic" as I thought it would be. But, whatever. I'm ready to leave this city and I've been here less than 12 hours.