Where is the German Food?

This past weekend I spent time in one of the cities of my dreams, Berlin. Without a doubt, this has always been on my bucket list, just like Vietnam ( which I got to see), St. Petersburg Russia, Prague, Poland, and Egypt. Because of my love of history, all things world war 2, and conflict between east and west, it was a truly awe inspiring experience. Unfortunately, I only had a day and a half there. Fortunately, I can always go back, and now I know where to get the best kebab.

Where are the pictures you may ask? Good Question. Well, our landlord went out of town last week ( which he did tell us about) and we realized, when we woke up on Wednesday, that we had no Internet. He had turned the power off in his apartment, and turned off the router ( which we didn't realize until it was too late.) Well, he will be gone until the second week in December. Isn't that lovely? So no Internet at our home for us. However, I am able to write my thoughts down here at work during my lunch break, but classified stuff cant have a usb stick with photos in it. SO the photos will have to come later. Hopefully my words can help to convey some of the images.

I arrived in Germany after a frenzied flight ( as they all are in Naples). I got to chat to several travellers at the airport who were from Australia doing some travelling during their summer vacation, and got to see the myriad of travellers heading to Milan ( where I have no interest in going, if not only for the Opera House). Getting to chat to other people about their travellers helped me know I am not alone in my wanderlust for seeing other things. I arrived in Germany safe and sound, and was hoping to get my passport stamped. Alas, because I am travelling within the European Union from another EU country, no stamps for me. What a bummer! I thought about approaching the uniformed guard and asking him to just stamp me, but decided against it. I arrived about 4pm, and it was already pitch dark outside. I guess that is something I have to look forward to as well when I get home!

I could not have asked for more in my hostel. The people were friendly, warm, and helped me with some ideas for dinner as I hadn't eaten all day. I ventured out on my own and came to the suggested street by the hostel staff. But as I wondered down, I saw Thai food, pizza, Italian, Kebabs, Indian, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese........where was the German Food? I thought I was crazy, so I walked a few more blocks. Well, probably a six block radius. And very few choices~! It was amazing, in Italy I was so bombarded with only Italy food that the choices overwhelmed me. I lastly chose to eat at a Vietnamese place, which was nice, but not the sausage and onions and beer I had been expecting. I headed back to my hostel full, but feelings I was missing something. Upon arrival at the hostel, as I was taking my jacket off in the bar area, I got to chat with some other guests when they invited the "North American Girl" to a few beers and laughs. It was great to talk with other alone guests and I was able to enjoy that good German beer at last. I made some plans with another traveller for the next day and resigned myself to bed.

My travel day started bright and early, walking through the empty streets of Berlin at 9am. Literally empty. With the weather at 2 degrees Celsius, I couldnt blame people for staying inside. I was on the hunt for Starbucks. I know I know, with all the 'good' coffee in Italy, all I wanted was the good old Seattle brew, a feeling from home, in a LARGE cup. It was the sheer volume that I was very excited about. And I found it. With my new friend in tow, we embarked on a walking tour starting at the Brandenburg Gate. While waiting at the gate for the tour to begin, we were kept entertained by a creepy looking Mickey Mouse smoking and taking his costume off. Needless to say, parents were shielding their children's eyes. Or at least should have been.

Our walking tour was amazing. We were able to see so many of the important sites, which were mostly in East Berlin. We experienced the Death Strip, the part between  East and West Berlin. We saw the infamous, most expensive hotel where Michael Jackson hung his baby off the balcony. Hitlers bunker, memorials to the Jews of Europe, the Reichstag, among other amazing sites were just what I wanted for the day. Even just looking at the buildings, imagining the things that went on there, the suffering of the people of east Berlin, the difference in the Soviet Bloc buildings, it was just so memorable. And to me, it looked slightly different than West Berlin. People were all friendly, and for a touristy place, I didn't feel so touristy. It was amazing.

On my own, after the tour, I got to experience the Stasi Museum, the Topography of Terror, and walk around some of the other parts near Checkpoint Charlie. I finally enjoyed my sausage, and a second cup of Starbucks. I was just so happy to be in a city I knew I loved from the instant I walked off the plane. I was able to enjoy Greek food, and the warm environment that a good hostel can offer a single traveller. It was all in all a fantastic weekend. And I haven't even mentioned how great it was to be able to see my breath! The weather was just such a far cry from Naples, and more like home. As I boarded the plane to come home, after a long bus ride through the beautiful city, I knew that I would be back.

Which brings me to this week. It is my partner in crime Matt's last week here in Italy! I will be alone for my last two weeks here, which is a little sad. We had the luxury though of heading out with one of our fellow Italian interns, Aldo, to both his home and one of his friends homes for dinner on Monday. What a FANTASTIC night it was. It started out with myself, Matt, Aldo and another new friend stopping by his home. His mother, who I have met previously, and I decided she is now my " Russo Mama" since she is from Russia but lives here in Italy, and I love all things Russian. It was very sweet, and she gave me chocolate, which everyone knows is the way to my heart. Even my co-intern has learned that and brought me chocolate from Switzerland the other day. We then headed over to another new friends home, where there were several other people, along with his parents. They were truly what I think of when I think of an Italian family, with such kindness and a LOT of food. Seriously. I hardly could move afterward. And they kept suggesting I eat more, I drink more! They were lovely, and I appreciated their warmness and them opening their home to us. I also enjoyed the dancing that came after the eating, though I wished it had come before!!!

On to the rest of the week....my time is running low here but I am enjoying it. My impression of the Neapolitan people improve everyday, from my dear Italian intern friends to the lovely folks I am now working with. It just shows everything deserves a second chance!!

Ciao for now, Pictures to come.

La Dolce Vita- Rome

The Monument at the Spanish Steps, Rome

This weekend I spent some time in Rome, the wonderful capital of Italy. It was truly nice to get out of Naples and be able to spend time in somewhere that was generally open and friendly. When people ask me "are you having a good time" its hard sometimes to answer. Im not here on vacation, I do work a 40 hour a week internship doing important ( well, sometimes important) things. Its interesting in a way that is hard to explain, but I have been exposed to a different side of American interests and politics abroad that is so vitally important to keep allies and friendships, and have support from other nations. I know everyone says the US is the most "powerful" nation in the world, but without the friendships and relationships with other countries, like the one we share with Italy, we would not be the nation we are today. So that I get to witness some of that is awesome,any way what was I saying? oh right, do I enjoy myself. All the places I have visited outside of Naples have been warm, friendly places that I have felt wanted and enjoyed. The few people I have met here are very nice, and I enjoy them. However, overall, I think I enjoy anywhere better than here. It could be the hills, the absolutely undecipherable Neapolitan dialect of Italian ( we will get to my ingenious Italian speaking later) or the cobblestones. Who knows.

The Spanish Steps, Rome

 The Trevi Fountain, Rome

 Me at the Trevi Fountain, Rome

 The Vatican Museum, Vatican City

 I spent a wonderful evening hanging out with another intern from Rome, whom I have a lot in common with. It was nice getting to spend some girl time, complain and talk about the ups and downs of keeping relationships going when you live thousands of miles away, and generally life. It was even more refreshing when, walking just past the Pantheon, which was beautiful in its own right, we stumbled upon an English pub with no other but free wifi, nachos, and happy hour! Needless to say, we enjoyed a few, kicked back with some comfort food, and enjoyed some wine, Irish coffee, and jalapeno laden nachos!

The next morning I knew I was to get up bright and early to head to the Vatican City. I wasnt able to get tickets ahead of time,and decided to make an early rise out of it and get there. I was there an hour and 15 minutes before they opened and boy was I glad. At 7:45am, I was about the 15th person in line, with several tour groups lined up behind me. I was able to get on a tour at 9am, and I was happy that I spent the money on it. The history in the Vatican Museum, not only the Sistine Chapel, was awesome. I saw gifts and works of art from before I knew art existed. With the Sistine Chapel topping off the tour ( it was beautiful and amazing and awe inspiring. Everything you could think of, including crowded) it was a great morning.

From there I headed to St. Peters Basilica. I was able to pray at the tomb of John Paul II, which was amazing. It is awesome how, even though he has passed on and there is a new Pope, he is everywhere in the Vatican. I really feel like he was 'the peoples' Pope, and understood and got how real Catholics live and think. With all that is wrong with the Catholic church, and  he was by no means perfect, I was happy and proud and cherished the fact that I was able to sit there, pray, and think about my very Catholic grandparents who have also passed on. It was just an amazing 10 minutes. I got to see many other tombs, and beautiful amazing sculptures, but that single incident is probably what I will take with me the most from that experience.

 The Vatican Museum, Vatican City

 "The Torso" at the Vatican Museum

This ceiling is completely flat, although it looks molded; at the Vatican Museum

 Either the Raphael Rooms or the Private Apartments, The Vatican Museums

 The Vatican

 St. Peters Basilica

 The guards in Vatican City

The morning took a lot out of me, but I was able to meet up with the other intern and explore her favorite neighborhood, Trastavere. It was beautiful and kitchy, and I loved it. We walked and talked, and ate some fabulous pasta. FINALLY I was able to have pesto sauce, which is my ultimate favorite pasta sauce. It is far too expensive at the store to buy here, but I savored every morsel. I always wondered why it was so expensive here, when the tomato sauce costs less than a dollar. Who knows.

In Rome, I got to show my Italian skills! Lisa, my intern friend, was impressed with my skills, as I was able to ask in full Italian where the metro was, how much was something, and no, I did not want to give someone money. I guess listening to everyone speak is rubbing off a little! It made me feel awesome though, that I was actually picking some things up. It was awesome as well when people kept asking me for directions and I could give them to them. Ah, living in a place for a few weeks does that to you! I was especially glad I could help a nice lady from San Fransisco in the giant line at the ticket machine for the metro, so she did not give her change to the beggar who "happens" to stand right between the machines and show unsuspecting tourists how to use the machine, then expects their change for her services. I warned the lovely lady not to let her touch her screen, and I helped her. Then I scolded her in Italian, let her know I lived there so dont try any crap with me, and gave her a dirty look. Listen, I am more than willing to help out those in need, but not those who take advantage of travellers trying to explore and learn a new city, and navigate the sometimes tricky machines. Just like I wouldnt give money to the unfortunate soul with the club foot chatting on his IPhone. The new one. Lets just say I have my standards, and I dont appreciate those who take advantage of other peoples kindness.

 The Coloseum

 

 Ah, the Colosseum. This was an awe inspiring ( isnt all of Rome an Awe Inspiring experience, I guess)Knowing that Ive seen the movie Gladiator, and was now standing where those actual showdowns occurred, was AMAZING!!! it was cool, how it was actually still standing! The steps were killer, as were the cobblestones on my feet, but I guess I had to let it go because it was so cool! ( just kidding) I learned about how the matches worked, how gladiators didnt usually live past 30 years old, and how they could be granted clemency.

On my way home, as I stopped for what people here at the Consulate say is the best burger in Italy, a gentleman and his daughter sitting at the train station restaurant bar shared their champagne with me. This man, who had to be in his mid fifties, sat at the table next to me and told me all about how he had been to America 14 times, that he loved New York City, how he was so sad and couldnt believe it when 9/11 happened as he had just been there a few weeks before, how he thought Americans were warm and friendly,a nd how he enjoyed a big cup of American Coffee much better than the tiny Italian coffees. He was so nice, and after having such a long weekend, I very much enjoyed chatting with this man and his very embarrassed teenage daughter. It was awesome, and I hope I can converse like that with someone in a foreign language in a foreign country someday, and embarrass my child the exact same way!


Rome was just such an experience. I guess I should also mention that I was actually there for work in the morning, where I got to meet with the Ambassador, ask him some questions, and enjoy a wine tasting. Thats just what I do. And just as my new intern bff said, when I asked her how the wine tasted, " It tastes free!" Which is my sentiments exactly in an expensive country, with no job :)

This week holds lots in store, and its hard to believe that six weeks have flown by. My favorite things so far have been the cappuccinos that the lovely lady who makes my delicious healthy lunches makes for me, the pizza I will have a hard time replacing, and the relics that I have seen. I cant imagine NOT seeing this stuff in my lifetime, and continue to count my blessings each and every day for this experience. Anyone who knows me well knows that 2012 did not start off well at all, and I couldnt have imagined it ending up on such a high note. I remember everyday that I am very blessed, and have been very fortunate.

Up next: Thanksgiving, and BERLIN!!!!!

Carrie the Happy Hiker

Today we decided to climb up Mt. Vesuvius. To anyone who knows me, you know this may be a ridiculous concept. However, I felt like finally getting out of the house today and joined along. Not without my complaints though!!

Here I am on the beginning of the hike.

Aldo was a much happier hiker than I was

According to Wikipedia and our terrible tour guide "Mount Vesuvius is best known for its eruption in AD 79 that led to the burying and destruction of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. That eruption spawned a deadly cloud of stones, ash and fumes to a height of 20.5 miles, spewing molten rock and pulverized pumice at the rate of 1.5 million tons per second, ultimately releasing a hundred thousand times the thermal energy released by the Hiroshima bombing. An estimated 16,000 people died due to hydrothermal pyroclastic flows. The only surviving eyewitness account of the event consists of two letters by Pliny the Younger to the historian Tacitus.^"The last major eruption was in March 1944."

View from the top of Vesuvius

  

Can you see the steam? Its coming from the volcano!!!

 I actually made it to the top, with a few complaints and whining.

 Me in front of Prochida, with Naples, Sorrento, and standing on top of Vesuvius

Under the Tuscan Sun

  Piazza della Signora in front of Palazzo Vecchio

After spending a lovely weekend in Tuscany, seeing the Chianti wine region, and basically fending for myself in the rain (again) I returned home last Sunday too exhausted to write this blog. And while the weekend was wonderful, I am a bit late on filling everyone in on the excitement. 

Florence was, as you may expect, wonderful. I could totally live there. Almost all the quips of Naples that I loathe so much dont exist there. Now, this could be because of its touristy things, but even with those, the splendor, and beauty that Florence possesses, I could get over the crowds.  Plus, the general niceness of people was unexpected.

 View from the Uffitzi of the most famous bridge in Florence, Ponte Vecchio

We arrived early, and spend the good part of the first morning visiting the Uffitzi Gallery. I saw amazing paintings from Boccelli, Leondardo DaVinci, and just amazing pictures that are older than I could imagine. Seeing these just makes you know things in the world are larger than yourself, and there were people who had the same problems, even more than yours, long long ago, and that they found beauty in things you cant even think about. It was awesome. We decided that one museum was enough for us, as we spent about 4 hours just in the Uffitizi, including waiting time. but it was well worth it. The shot below is of the famous Duomo which we stayed very near in our hostel, but got this great shot from the roof of the museum.

View of the Duomo 

 Pinnochio

Santa Croce, where many people are buried

 Enjoying some pasta and Wine

As you can tell, it rained. The entire time we were there. And sometimes not just a little rain, a monsoon. Which, I guess, is appropriate since in Naples it was beautiful that weekend. Oh well, I didnt let it ruin my good time. However, it did make me cold and tired at times, which means I turned in early and didnt do much nightlife. Which is fine for me. Ive done it, Id much rather, even if it is just for this trip, be relaxed and still have a few euro in my pocket than go out and try to dress up, walk in heels on cobblestones, and fight the tourists for a 9 euro drink. No thanks. 

We were able to see a lot of things in our whirlwind trip; Santa Croce, which I believe is the most beautiful church I have ever seen from the outside, The Duomo, which was just amazing architecture, and I couldnt believe someone built that so long ago, and just little Florence streets where if I were to have the time I could relax with a coffee and just watch the world go by. It was definitely my kind of town.

A rainy day in Florence in front of the Duomo

Inside the Duomo

 The Duomo at Night

 Santa Maria Novella Cathedral

 On Piazza Michaelangelo, the best view of the city

We were able to go and see the most amazing view of the city. We walked up a giant hill, and were atop a place where tour buses sometimes park. My friend Dianne, who had been here in June, recommended this as well as some other people in the city did. It was worth the hike up. We sat down on a set of giant steps with some water and some chips, and and listened to a guy from Amsterdam play his guitar. It was picturesque. Definitely. 

On the last day we were in Tuscany, I suggested that we go on a guided tour of the countryside. It was awesome, and worth every penny. We started the day by going to a UNESCO heritage site ( another one) where it was a medieval town that still looked like a fortress. It was awesome. So beautiful, and the picture above was from the gate.

View of Tuscany, San  Gimignano

 Best Gellato Ive eaten!!!

Next, we traveled to Siena, which is the arch rival of Florence, and was built on three giant hills. They have a horse race twice every year here to show some part of their history. It is said to be created by two people who were expelled from Rome, and were raised by a she wolf. Now, Im not sure if any of that is actually true, but Siena was gorgeous. You felt like you were just a small peon between these huge buildings. I loved it. It was all so much the same, but different as well. There was medieval architecture, as well as gothic archetecture. Since being in Italy, I quite enjoy looking at the different buildings, they are just so different than being in the states, where the oldest buildings I have seen are in Boston, and cant even compare to this. 

Upon arrival into Siena, we got to enjoy lunch with some of our other tour travellers. And that was awesome. While the first part of the trip many of us didnt talk with each other, this opened us up to being able to share experiences. And let me say this here, while I know a lot of people, especially young people, look down on taking a day tour and say " oh no, thats not travelling. You have to find things yourself and only old people do tours" I very very heartily disagree. I have taken tours in several of the places Ive travelled, and let me say, they are awesome. You get to meet people who are taking the same adventure as you, some even more adventurous, you get to swap info, and you get to enjoy some sights that you may have never realized would be so amazing. I always try to see if I can do a day trip somewhere with a tour group. Theres my spiel, now Im done ranting. But we met two guys from Singapore, a girl from Canada, a family who just relocated to Paris, three lovely women from Leeds in the UK, and a girl travelling from Venezuela, along with our Brazilian bunk mate who palled around with us and a woman from Mexico. It was great fun, and am so glad that we did it. 

 Siena, Just another one of the UNESCO heritage cities in Italy

This was a tiny little medieval town, with a total of 58 people who live inside it. We were able to look a little bit in there, and take some nice pictures.  It was nice to just get a look at something that was so old.

Overall our weekend in Florence, was awesome. I wish I could go back on a beautiful, sunny day. 

As for the rest of the week, it was a bit crazy. We had our election night party, got to go to Rome for a day, which was amazing. I got to meet with some people from the UN and get a feel for what they do, and it was totally inspiring. I was happy and really interested in what they had to say. It made me feel like the choice I made to come here was good, at least for that .

This weekend has been a lazy weekend. While originally I was planning on going to Berlin, it just didnt work out. Im hoping to head there over Thanksgiving weekend to make it a little bit more affordable. But we will see!!!