Ok this is going to be way too long I know, and I think it may even be a bit pretentious (just like George's girlfriend that one episode of Seinfeld). But I wrote this today at an English writing class so I thought I might as well share it.
Two weeks ago I went to Italy. I met three of my best friends, two living in Africa and one in central Asia, there and we explored the sights. I flew from Tokyo to Amsterdam, where I met one friend. We then flew together to Rome to meet the other two.
Our first day together we went to Vatican City, where we just missed the Pope. We saw St. Peter's Cathedral, which was breathtaking. Can I say that Rome is very interesting, with many historical places that are intriguing to me, however there is graffiti everywhere and the food is pricey and not as appetizing as I would have hoped. But the trains are very easy, only two lines, A and B. Not quite the Tokyo shuffle.
The next day we went to the Sistine Chapel, it was closed the day before. The line was only thirty minutes, despite the tour guides insistence that it was two hours and we should shell out forty euro, or seven thousand yen, to go with them. Ha! I said. Next we traversed to the Roman ruins and the Colosseum. Somewhere in the ruins I lost my friends. I waited for some time, while watching prepubescent French kids dump water on each other, oh the flirting of eleven year olds, then set off for the Colosseum alone. There I met a girl who was sketching the famous structure. I asked her if she spoke English and turns out she is from Colorado and goes to school in Texas, so connections abound. I chatted with her, then bound up the stairs to see the sights. Around the corner were my friends! Exciting and unexpected.
Next we hopped on a train to Tuscany. Our hostel was about thirty kilometers from Florence, so we had to take a taxi from the train station, the buses had stopped for the night. The land there was very green and beautiful and quiet. Also the hostel was cheap, my favorite we stayed at. It reminded me of camp, and I love camp.
The first day in Tuscany we went to Siena, via Poggibonci. It rained all day and we didn't see much, but I had the best gelato, cherry, made by the friendliest of chefs, that assured me her lemon was the best in Siena, as she often sampled the competition. The second day was Pisa. The tower is impressive, as is the shear number of souvenir shops, several of which had samurai swords interestingly enough. Then the third day was Florence itself, my favorite of the cities. Home of the Domou, David, and a historic gelato place, whose pear caramel made my friend swoon.
The last stop for us as a group was Venice. Lots of glass shops and, obviously, canals. The girls were in love, I was impressed but ready to leave after a day and a half. Here we sadly, separated, the girls to Milan, us guys back to Rome. A long night in the airport, flight to Amsterdam, I alone in another airport, then longer flight back to Tokyo. Forty five hours no sleep, but worth it I think.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Cherry Blossoms
As some of you know, spring time in Japan is famous for cherry blossoms. So yesterday I went out and got some pictures.
Yes I realize this isn't a cherry blossom. Still pretty though eh?
You can ride in swan boats.
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