Bittersweet ending

Taking this trip was the best decision I've ever made. I can't imagine that I ever second guessed my decision. If I didn't take this trip it would have been a regret of mine. As I don't believe in having regrets, or at least not obssessing over them, but just accepting them as a part of your life, and that life isn't perfect and not everything you want is attainable for whatever reason(s).

BUT if I didn't take this trip, it would have been a regret of mine that I wouldn't have gotten over. It's something I needed to do. Something I always wanted to do. Something I needed to do to get out of my system.

This is a bittersweet ending for me, especially considering I couldn't make up my mind about whether to stay or go, and feeling guilty and almost ashamed at myself for not staying longer. I emailed a few friends asking for advice.

A common response was: This is your last opportunity to travel like this, so think long and hard about whether you want to go home now.

Well, I thought about it, long and hard, and it hit me. No, this isn't my last opportunity to travel like this. Why should it be? Why can't I do this again? Or the better question, Why shouldn't I do this, again?

When I go home and in 5 months, a year, etc., am unhappy I can go back to Europe. But just because I'm coming home doesn't mean it's definite; nothing is.

But at this time, I'm tired and running out of money so it is time to go home.

This trip has been absolutely amazing. The blog is just a glimpse of my trip and what I've experienced - words can't even begin to explain. I contribute the success of my trip mainly to my hosts. I accomplished the goal of my trip: to stay with locals and see what life is like in other countries. Not only did I experience their lifestyle and culture, but I met, for the most part, exceptional people. I mean that with all its meaning, truly exceptional people. People that I not only enjoyed spending time with, but people I have learned from. You could only be lucky enough to have met the people I have.

But it's a strange feeling to accept that my trip is over, and now, back to reality. As I'm ready to go home, I am a little nervous to go back. Will I be able to fit back into American society so easily? Ha, ha... did I really before, anyways?


Seriously, it's hard to grasp that I will go back to the US and interview and eventually get a job with only 2 weeks vacation. I can't get over it. I think that's the killer. If we had 4-6 week vacations like the Europeans, America would be gold, or close to it. Two weeks ain't freedom. No, sir.

What I'll miss about Europe

-The fresh and tasty food. The food taste better here, especially in Spain and Italy, than in the US. It's so fresh and flavorful. It tastes like it should.

-Markets. While the countries I've visited have supermarkets, it's more common to have specialty stores, e.g., produce market, meat market, seafood market, bakery, wine market, etc. And they're abundant. I love that you have the wide selection of seperate markets as opposed to having to shop at a f***ing Jewel or Kroger. Gross. But on the other hand, it can be a pain in the a**. Like when you can't find a store that sells beer! It's a f***ing crisis!

-Street vendors selling empanadas

-Abundant outdoor cafes

-The coffee

-The pastries. We all know how I feel about those puppies. In Italy, usually they're served warm.

-Laidback lifestyle. Yes, Europeans do have a more relaxed lifestyle and for the most part, a higher standard of living. Hello?! 4-6 weeks vacation?

-The appreciation of good food.

-Availability of fast food that isn't McDonald's or KFC. Yes, McCrap and Krusty F***ing Chicken is available in Europe (not so as much in Italy), but fast food that is good. For example, kebab and falafel joints, bakeries with pizza and pastries stuffed with an assortment of cheeses, spinach, meats and sausages. The point is, fast food doesn't have to be crap.

-Internet cafes every few blocks.

-Sqaures and/or neighborhoods where cars are prohibted.

-Last, but not least, a Spanish or Italian man who will look you sqaure in the face and smile. I'm sorry, but I love it.

This is why I came back to Spain

For the inexpensive, yet absolutely fresh and delicious food, and cheap beer. I can't remember what this fish is called, but you get a stack of deep fried, salty goodness. You eat the entire fish, tail and all. It's so good.

Picked up a Canadian and now we're in Barcelona

Ginger and I in Valencia

Last night at my hostel I met Ginger, a Canadian from Alberto. She was talking about her trip to Morocco to others and I walked over and joined the conversation. After 10 minutes it was just us. After we drank my 2 dollar bottle of wine, we headed to a pub.

She's my new bf. Totally cool. Straightforward, sarcastic, funny, and real.

She's in Barcelona for 3 nights and she insisted I join her. So I did. Tonight I'm staying in the hostel with her. And then tomorrow I go stay with my other bf, Aida, the Bosnian I met last time I was here.

To hang with such good people is a fanatastic way to end my trip.

Sunday night with the Germans

OK, so I got "peer pressured" to go out, again, on Sunday night, when all I wanted was to chill and go to bed at a decent hour.

I met these great and absolutely hilarious guys (Torben and Jan) in the hostel's kitchen. They were sitting at the table in front of me and after a while they asked where I was from. An hour or so, and a couple of beers later, they insisted I join them at a pub.

OK, how could I say no? I was tired as all hell, and almost said no thanks. But hey, again, I'm in Spain! OK, so it was more because they were Germans, and I enjoyed hanging out with them. I've only met a handful of Germans while on this trip, but I like them a lot, and I enjoy talking to them. I'm interested in what they have to say about Germany after WWII and the collaspe of the Berlin Wall, and the current state of Germany.

I also enjoy when Europeans talk about the differences of other European countries. The funny thing is I find myself more like the Danes, the Dutch and the Germans.

They made me wish I had gone to Germany. But I don't regret it; it's a future trip. And now I have guys I can stay with in Cologne, Germany.

In pic from left to right is Torben, Jan and me.

"I hate Santa Claus"

So Alex the guy from Austria was absolutely hilarious. Omigod, he had me rolling the entire night. He spoke excellent English and therefore gave and got sarcasm very well.

He asked me do Americans celebrate Christmas like in the movies. I get this type of question a lot, e.g., Do Americans go on dates like in the movies?, etc.

I asked him what was his impression of an American Christmas. He started laughing and said, "Well, on Christmas Eve you open 1 present, and then on Christmas day you get a bunch of presents and then you have a big dinner with a turkey or something."

I told him that sounds about right. Every family is different, but that's generally how my went as a child. I explained further, that Catholics go to church at midnight, so they could be the first to celebrate Jesus' birth. (The latter part was pure sarcasm, and he laughed his ass off.) But seriously, others usually attend church Christmas Day morning. But it depends. And a lot of people don't go to church.

And yes, we have a big dinner turkey and/or ham dinner on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve usually is a more simple dinner. But again it depends because some families celebrate their Christmas Day on Christmas Eve.

So then we get on the subject of the commercialization of Christmas, and then he says, "I f***ing hate Santa Claus!" And I almost pissed my pants I was laughing so hard.

I was like dude, "How could you hate Santa Claus?"

"Well, it was invented by Coca Cola to increase coke sales. And it's not what Christmas is about. And now f***ing Santa Claus has made his way to Europe."

I disagreed. I explained that Santa Claus is derived from St. Nick and wasn't he from Austria or the Nordic countries, or something? He disagreed with me.

Well, I had to look this up. His Coca Cola story is an urban legend. Santa Claus comes from or is Saint Nicholas. Santa became popular in the 19th century due to the influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. His cartoon of the plump jolly guy, that we all know, was published in Harper's Weekly.

But was Santa invented to purely increase retail sales? No, I don't think so. Have American corps used it to make a profit? Of course. And of course, Santa Claus is associated with the commercialization of Christmas.

But I still like Santa. Ho, ho, ho!

Saturday Night Pub Crawl in Valencia

So I'm staying in a really nice hostel and there was a pub crawl on Saturday. You pay 10 Euros and they take you to 3 pubs and a club. At each place you get one free drink.

I had absolutely no desire to go out on Saturday. I was just beat. But the two girls in the photo were staying in my room. One was from Germany and the other from Switzerland. Very nice, sweet girls. So I ended up changing my mind because, well, again, I'm in Spain! Or because I'm lush. I swear when I go back home, I'm getting on the wagon!

It was a blast. It was so much fun and just cool to hang out with people from all over Europe.

There were about 10 of us. In pic above from left to right is a guy from Belgium; Daniel from Germany who makes about 50 euros a day playing guitar on the streets of Barcelona; Girl from Germany, forgot her name; me; Alex from Austria; Dunkin from Scottland; and Jennifer from Switzerland. Not in pic was a girl from Ireland and a guy from Maryland. Dunno where they were.

Alex is the guy who looks like he's giving me kiss. He's not. He actually bit my cheek. Not hard, just a little bite. Now this isn't the first time this has happened to me! I've had, dunno, more than a handful of guys tell me, "I just want to bite you." or "I just want to bite your cheek." Now, I have no idea why men have an urge to bite me, but it's in a playful manner so it's not creepy, just weird and funny.

Like that monster zit on my upper lip? I can't get rid of the f***er.

Pics of Italy

See below. Scroll down the page.

I'll say it again

I love Spain.

I'm a knob

or partly a tard! When I reread some of my writings that's what I feel I write like. Seriously, some of it doesn't even make sense or flow. I swear, I'm a better writer than that!

Arrived in Valencia, Spain

I decided to go back to Spain as of 6 pm last night. I took a 5 hour train from Naples to Milan and was considering going to Switzerland and then Germany, but once I arrived in Milan and felt the cold I made my mind. Thought it would have been nice to visit Switzerland and Germany during Christmas time, I don't want the 32 degree weather. No thanks, I'll get that back in Chicago.

In addition, it was raining and cloudy all but maybe 2 days while I was in Italy. After 2.5 weeks of that weather it brings you down. Ugh, it's downright depressing. Probably another factor that contributed to me coming home on the 24th. So I came to Spain to get some sunshine, even if it's 55 degrees, still warm to me.

I really wanted to visit Sicilly, but it was going to be raining the next few days. Couldn't do it. Guess I'll go to Jersey to see some Sicillians.

So I took an overnight train where I shared a sleeper car with a nice woman from Nigeria, though her bo burnt my nostril hairs and she ate harboiled eggs.

I hung out with an American from Northern Michigan who wasn't thrilled with his space. He was sharing a sleeper with 3 other dudes and felt cramped. Then a Serbian starts munching on a huge salami sandwich that stunk up the room.

Seriously, what's with people eating the most smelliest food in an enclosed private space? We both agreed, it should be banned.

So I shared my bottle of wine with him and then we drank at the bar. It was the only way to survive the night.

He was a nice guy. He's traveling Europe for 24 days. He busted out of Europe after a breakup and taking a voluntary lay-off.

OK, I changed my return date, again

I arrive in Chicago on Dec 24.

Why? Several reasons: 

1) The madness taking place in Greece. It could end tomorrow, or next week. Point being is the tension and negative vibe will most likely still exist for the next month or two, or longer. I do not want to experience this while traveling Greece. Especially being a woman traveling solo. 

2) I can't travel for the next 3 months without a permanent home. It's too damn tiring and expensive. I could find another farm somewhere, but it's too time consuming. The entire process takes about 2-3 weeks, and I do not want to wait that long for a decision. 

3) I think I'm just ready to come back to the States. It could be a combo of just travel fatigue and homesickness. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually miss the US. I think it's because I'm in Italy and I see how fortunate I am NOT to be living here. (More on that later.) But if Denmark or The Netherlands were my last stop... well that's another story.

4) I'm tired of meeting new people. I know, this probably sounds horrible. But I am. I don't want to explain why I'm traveling. I don't even want to tell people where I'm from. Today for example, while Pasquele's car was getting fixed (story later) one of the mechanics walks towards me and I'm thinking Ugh, please don't talk to me. Why? Because his English is very poor and I don't feel like spending 10 min of my time having a completely uncommunicative conversation. This is when you know it's time to go back home because two weeks ago I would have been more than happy to strike up a conversation with anyone.

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What will I do when I return? Well, I think I need me some New Orleans for sure. I definitely need some live music. And of course I look forward to seeing family and friends. 

Work? Well, until I find a real job I can always work part-time at my friend's company. I totally jinxed myself about finding a job during a not-so-hot economy. Things will work out, they always do. A typical, lazy explanation to bad situations. But hey, it's making me feel good now!

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I leave Naples, Italy tomorrow with no destination scheduled. I'm either going back to Spain or to Germany. I'll decide tomorrow morning. I just can't decide. This isn't the first time I've made last minute travel decisions. Actually it's pretty much how I've done it all along while Couch Surfing. It's my idea of living on the edge. ;)

I'll see you, my friends and family soon!

Naples, Italy, it ain't Florence

Some say it's a great city with nice people and fantastic food... and then there's those who call it a cesspool. I'd say it's all of the above. So why did I go? Because it's another part of Italy and it's completely different.

The south is poorer, has high unemployment, dirty, and is run by the mob. From Naples to Sicily it's a mob run state. In addition to the bad things, the people are more friendly and the food is suppose to be out of this world. So I had to go.

Naples also had a garbage problem not to long ago. The garbage wasn't being collected so people started to burn it. Germany had to take the garbage since the Italians couldn't handle it.

All of my Italian hosts told me to go - that I would be safe, just be careful and watch your wallet, and stay with someone through Couch Surfing. In Italy, there's a joke that people from Naples are thieves. Shit, my impression of all Italians is that they are thieving scammers. And for the record, they have this reputation throughout Europe. And of course, it's not everyone, but one too many makes a generalization.

But anyways, I liked the city. The people were very nice. They smile! Not like the French. (BTW, had this conversation with other Europeans, too, and they agree, the French don't smile. But it was disappointing because it rained the entire time I was there. Which put a damper on things.



Italian gas station.Two gas pumps right on the side of the road. I saw stations like this in Spain, too.

Naples is an old city, too, without much preservation.

Me in a sqaure with my new jacket I bought for 10 Euros at a market in Bologna.

Some sort of religious thing....

Market

While in Naples

My host Pasqueles, cooked some of the best homemade food I've ever had. This guy can cook it up! I stayed with him last Tuesday-Thursday and he cooked everyday lunch and dinner.

His sauces were unreal. Some of the sauces included a tomato with boar, pesto (OMIGOD!), spicy tomato with chunks of beef. Let's not even get started on the cheese and wine this mofo served! Seriously, I can't handle it, it was that good.

He was a superb host. But all of my hosts in Italy have been great.
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Naples is known for having really good pizza (known as the birthplace) and food. But I didn't eat out once. We tried going to get pizza one day but his car started overheating and, well, we had to take care of his car. I didn't even care becaus if you had his food, the pizza meant nothing.

Plus I've been eating pizza all over Italy. And I love pizza from Chicago so I really don't care.

Arrived in Naples, Italy last night

Staying with Pasquales a Couch Surfing host. He's great.

How to drink coffee like an Italian

Stand at the bar and down the espresso in 2-3 drinks. (That's Gianluca my host in Venice in pic.) Most Italians I see drinking coffee, drink an espresso and do this. Me, I like to sit my fat ass down at a table and drink a coffee with milk. It's my time to relax.

I found it so weird. It's like they just come for a shot of caffeine and that's it. What happened to enjoying the coffee?

And within all of Europe, no one walks and drinks coffee.

Venice pics

Water stained building. A week before I came to Venice the city was flooded hip deep. It was fine when I arrived.

This is how crowded the streets were and it was December. Seriously, I couldn't imagine visiting Italy in the summer. I would never do it. I would visit in September.

Boardwalk

Moving time via boat.

Water taxi stop. Since Venice is a city of 118 islands. You get around by littles ferries or walk over bridges like seen in pics below. No cars on the island because there's no room.

This is how narrow the waterways are.

Got 60-100 Euros (about 80-130 US)? That's how much a gondolas ride cost. Yeah, no thanks, I've been on a boat before.

Pics are a little hazy because they weather was such.

Venice is built on wood piles as seen in pic. It's crazy. Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice.

This city is just... I don't even know. It's like a fairytale, almost surreal. It's amazing. It's so special. I think I'm more baffled on how the city was built.

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My host Gianluca showed me Venice on Monday. I stayed with him last Sunday and Monday. He was great. I really enjoyed hanging out with him. Sunday and Monday night he cooked delicious pastas and we got drunk on wine and talked all night.

I liked his bad a** attitude. He live in Canada for 22 years. He worked for Canada's version of the CIA, so he has that cop attitude. I found him hilarious.

My Italian Cowboy

Gianluca, my host, is cooking pasta while we listen to Alan Jackson. I love it!

More on Bologna, Italy

Great city. I wish I could have spent more time there. So far, it's my favorite city in Italy. It was a real Italian city with real Italians. Rome and Florence is filled with tourists so you don't get a real sense of Italian life.

Unfortunately I do not have any pics at this time because I had to use my host's camera since my battery was dead. Hopefully he will send me the pics later.

Pics of Florence, Italy

pic of square
florence is full of markets. clothing can be very cheap.
pic of street. bikes and scooters are everywhere.
church up on hill with cemetery. look close to the detail on top. it's amazing.
view from the top of the hill.
pic of Arno River.
remains of brick wall that used to enclose and protect city.
"The American bombshell" per Italian Cowboy (Gianluca, Couch Surfing host in Venice)

Dress up time

Wednesday night in Florence, after Checco prepared a simple pasta dish of roasted garlic, olive oil and hot pepper, I helped him translate his portfolio to English. As he was getting up to go the toilet he put on his slippers. Well, I insisted he wear the Indian ones as seen in pic.

After he returned from the bathroom he dressed up in this traditional Indian wear. And then of course he insisted I try it on.

Photography is his hobby so he's always taking pictures. It's always fun hanging with someone who is passionate about photography - it's fun, and there's no room for vainness

Not one, but two Italian men cooking me dinner

OK, not necessarily for me. When I arrived in Florence on Tuesday, my host Checco (polka dot apron) and Luca cooked dinner for me and two of their friends. We ate baked chicken and roasted potatoes, and drank wine. It was delicious.

It was so cool to see two Italian guys put on aprons and cook together. I got a kick out of watching them raise their voices in heated quibbles over different cooking techniques.

They were excellent hosts. Always filling my glass, asking me if I need anything, and making me feel at home.

And they were very nice men. It was a pleasure.

OK so now we are listening to Dean Martin

and looking for a fucking battery charger for my camera. kiss my ass italy. why? because where is the fucking BestBuy? (OK, i'm kidding, but isn't there something similiar.... seriously? OK, BestBuy where are you? you mother fuckers, haven't you taken over the world like mcdonalds and kfc?)

in all seriousness, i'm kicking myself for not buying a camera with batteries.

Arrived in Mirano, Italy

It's 20 min outside of Venice. Staying with a Couch Surfing host. He's cool.

By the way, Venice is not flooded anymore. It was last week.

Phil and I in Rome

1st pic is of castle. The Tiber River runs through the city and there are beautiful bridges to compliment it.

2nd pic is the line to get into The Vatican (actual church). The line was unreal. I couldn't imagine what it's like in the summer. We went in the morning so we only waited 20 min.

3rd and 4th is Philip and I cheersing at a restaurant.

5th pic is us eating gelatto in front of the famous Trevi fountain.
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We saw everything in about 3-4 days. I mean everything. We trucked our asses all over that city despite the occasional rain.

I think I'm most amazed with The Vatican. Unbelievable. If that church was in my neighborhood, I may have considered becoming Catholic.... OK, maybe not. But seriously, it was breathtaking. And the Sistine Chapel was glorious. You have to go. You have to go. OK, one more time, YOU HAVE TO GO.

Oh, and we ate nice lunches and dinners and drank tastey wine. And of course we did nothing but lay around for a couple of days.

I tell ya, renting an apartment is the way to go. It comes furnished with pots, silverware and plates, so you can cook. It can be real money saver and it's relaxing. I cooked breakfast a few times. And it's nice to be able to store drinks and snacks in the fridge. And in Europe (not sure about US) it's cheaper than a hotel.

In addition to my rant on Rome

OK, so I reread my rant on Rome and I have to say I wasn't entirely fair. Yes, I meant what I wrote previously, but not everyone was an a**hole.

Philip and I had great service in all but one or two restaurants we dined at. It was the best service I've received in Europe in regards of attentiveness. In addition, the people were very friendly.

The woman we rented our apartment from was extremely nice. And the agency we went through were very accomodating. We changed places because first we stayed in a b&b, but it was more like staying in a room at your grandma's house. Don't get me wrong, I like staying at my grandma's house, but not with my boyfriend, if ya know what I mean. ;)
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Yeah, and grandma (not my lovely grandma) but this grandma can kiss my a**. So Philip and I had our own dining room where we received a nasty ass complimentary breakfast, which consisted of store bought pastries that you purchase in the gas station in the US for .50 cents; Kellogg's Corn Flakes; and white bread, like Wonder Bread.

Come on! Are you serious? Considering the money we paid grandma she should have made us some homemade bisquits and jam. No only that, but I'm in Italy I don't want to eat Corn Flakes! I don't eat that s*** when I'm at home. And there's bakeries on every f***ing corner!

OK, one more complaint about grandma. So like I said Philip and I had our own dining room. On our second day I'm having coffee while waiting for Philip to get ready and she tried telling me I couldn't sit in that seat, that it was for someone else, and that mine and Philip's seat were over there. I just about had it with her.

OK, so one more complaint, I swear it's the last! On the third day when we finally decided to jump ship as we are walking out, I notice on the other dining room table (for other guests) was bakery style bread. Not only one, but two!

F*** you grandma!
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Anyways back to Rome.... so it was like in 48 hours all those little things added up to total frustration and feelings of helplessness.

I'm sure it can be hard for service employees to work in a touristy city. I remember serving and bartending and I hated tourists. If you got a southerner or a European, forget about it, because you knew no matter how much you busted your ass you were not gonna get a 15-20 percent tip.

BUT I just don't like being nickeled-and-dimed. And that's what I felt in Rome.

(In pic above is an example of kindness in Rome. A gift to me from a waiter at a restaurant that Philip and I dined at two nights in a row because the food was really good. OK, second night was not planned. The first restaurant that grandma recommended wasn't very good. Cool atmosphere and good apps, but entrees well, they weren't buono!)

Arrived in Bologna, Italy on Friday

After a 3 hour delay, having no seat for 1 hour, and hearing a couple f*** in the bathroom that reeked of piss, I finally arrived. I'm staying with a Couch Surfing host Francesco and his brother.... um I forgot his name!

They live in a little country housed 20 min outside of city center. They're very nice.

I'll write mo lata.

Arrived in Florence on Tuesday

Stayed for 3 days with my Couch Surfing host Checco, a Sicillian, and his two roommates, Luca from Naples and Carmen from Madrid.

They were great. Exceptional hosts. I'll post more lata.

Not staying on farm near Venice

I made a boo boo. I totally forgot to register for my Italy WWOOF membership. And I need it in order to wwoof on the farm. The owners told me they would wait for me, but I need my membership card upon arrival, and that may take a couple of weeks to receive via mail. And I'm hopping around so I do not have a permanent address to send to.

You're probably thinking Why not have it mailed to the farm? I asked, but again, they need it upon arrival. I understand because they want to make sure people pay the membership fee (35 dollars). It's a little disappointing because I would have liked to spend Christmas in Italy. But on the bright side, now I get to visit Naples and Sicilly. So next week when I'm done visiting Italy, I will go to my farm in Greece. Luckily the owner has room for me now.

And the farm in Greece will be more quiet and low key. Whereas the farm in Venice is huge and appears to be a bit chaotic. Not only do they make wine, cheese and sausage, they also offer field trips to local schools. So yeah the more I think about it, I'm glad I won't be surrounded by kids. Hey, what can I say? I like quiet.

Brooke's Dirty Thirty

So, I just realized I won't be in town for my 30th birthday (Feb 10). Awe shucks.

Well, I think I will have to throw a little bash when I return.

2nd adapter broke

Mother F***er! (That's for you Nicole.)

The Best of Rome

The view from Orto Botanico, a park.

We went here on Friday and it was so clear you could see snow capped mountains, but my camera was out of juice! D'oh!

So we went back on Sunday on a not so clear day, but you get the picture.

The dome building is the Vatican.

Where's Brooke?

Where's Phil?














Pics are of the Palatino and Foro ruins, next to the colosseum. It's a huge park, that was once considered the center of the city.

This is an example of why Rome is so amazing. In the middle of the city are ruins.