Category: Adventure 2016

Train to Venice..Landed at the station with hoardes of people….first impression? Im in heaven. Then as Im going through the crowd a young man took my luggage out of my hand and started carrying them over the stairway I was coming to.It was a monster….. and my bags are heavy. 1st of all I knew immediately it was a tourist scam/money getter. ..but at that time, I didnt care….when I got to other side I asked how much…he said $25..I said I dont think so….he said $25, …I said sorry not paying that for 5 minutes….he then said $20..I said here is $10…he said maam, this is my job. …I said well talk to your boss, because I didnt hire you.. He agreed and took the cash.
After finding my hotel room, same way as I did in Rome…I went wandering Venice….most beautiful place I have ever seen…
However you so have to watch for tourist traps…at San Marco square I dont know how many guys chase you down with purses, roses, and selfie stick, trying to get you to buy…they try putting the roses in your hands and if you rake it the will charge you exorbitant price….luckily I had read about these. Another was a guy trying put bird seed in your hand….yeah, thats what I want…a bunch of pigeons chasing me.
My main goal in Venice was just to appreciate the beauty….If you never been, its mind blowing. I rode around in waterbus, however getting squished happens at certain spots….I took pictures and pictures….I love Venice

Getting up early to meet with a day trip excursion…cooking class in medieval town…6 people with chef and sues chef…loaded in van heading out to Manereva, a medieval city outside of Rome. Beautiful countryside. We first stop at market for latte and then went to markets for our ingredients. We stopped at butcher for veal and proscutto, vegetables at market….
When we arrived in the town where the class would be held, I was in amazement….it looked like a storybook town straight from “The Knights Tale” The buildings, the arches, just everything….We were actually having the class in a home but was used as a cooking school. Beautiful tile floors, truly Italian. and romantic.
Our chef started us out cutting vegetables…3 different types of tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, peaches. While we cut she opens a bottle of wine for the 6 of us…we drank…Next we pinched parsley, we then munched on 3 types of bruschette….she opened another bottle of wine and we started making our pasta…we kneaded and rolled, stretched…while we drank the wine….we made ravioli, linguine, and these other little pastas that we started calling little pillows. She opened a bottle of wine. On the third bottle of wine we were getting a little silly and having fun with the pasta…we used the pasta machine that flattens it and it took all six of us to stretch it across the room…funny, and she opened a bottle of wine..

We later made the ravioli and other pastas from it.
After all food was cooked that we prepared the seus chef presented it on our plates in a beautiful way….and served us in dining room with more wine.
This was such a wonderful experience…no matter how much I write about it, no matter how I describe it, I would never be able to convey to you the feeling this day has been.
I love Rome

I got up this morning…barely….took ibuprofen (a lifesaver so far) wasn’t feeling the best. So got much later start than I wanted….but I was determined to learn bus system today . I went to Termini station and bought myself a 2 day bus pass…something that was included in the Roma pass I lost. I got on bus taking me to the Vatican city….it dropped me off near St Peters Square…ahhh…. yes, close. No major walking I thought….No! The Main gate I needed was on other side of wall! (A very long walk) A guide showed me which line to get in since I already had my printed voucher! Trust me…no one should attempt it without a printed voucher….skip the line…my line was still very long, almost a full hour….the “purchase now” line was 2 to 3 times longer…1/2 way around the Vatican city….walking past that line wore me out..if I had to stand in it, I would just let the pope stay missing…..no way!

Room after room, and more rooms: destination Sistine chapel….they make sure you work for it…I bet I walked up and down 20 flights of stairs…at one point I had to sit down…if you recall I wasn’t feeling well (queasy)..so I found a chair in corner..yes it was the security guards chair, but he can just wait a minute or two.

I loved the Raphael rooms, they were my favorite…beautiful.
As I reached the Sistine Chapel, we were being herded into the one single room…I thought for a second we were going to have church service…no one allowed to be on steps…everyone pushed down to open floor…we looked like mass sheep for slaughtering….I vaguely remember seeing a sign saying no cameras in Sistine. …I vaguely heard it also….but there was a I noticed being very casual using his phone camera in reverse, snapping away those pics… I should’ve known better because I’m not slick by any means….of course I was called out…”put phone up, no cameras”…yeah, I was caught.
After the museums I wanted to go back to St. Peters Square….so I walk and walk…there were several people trying sell stuff, best way to deal is just ignore…a lady was saying something to me as I walked through the gate…I ignore…a few minutes later I seen her telling people go through a different gate, (she was security) oops.
After St. Peters I decided to hope on tram and see where I go…well, the places started looking different, a little rougher a little dirtier. I pull up maps app and type in my room address. ..ahh only 1.2 km…It’s a tram on tracks, I’m sure it will circle back….5 km later I had to get off and find another way back….I’m out in nowhere, looks a little rough….A girl was standing at the bus stop…I asked her if I a bus could get me back to termini station. …she obviously couldn’t understand me, but seemed to recognize the word Termini….she said, ” yes, this bus will get you there.”…I got on bus, she got off next stop…per GPS I am now 15 km from room. Instead of getting closer, I was going further out to nowhere……..I’ve got to get back to Rome, thinking I was being slick (ha ha) I typed in google translate a question..”does this bus go to termini station”.
I showed it to bus driver….NO!!! He yelled…very hateful. He yelled something in Italian that didn’t sound friendly at all and he pointed to a sign….
I read. “Talking to bus driver is Forbidden.” Well, excuse me. ….A young man came to front where I was, and said he would help me get there….I felt like that special kid going to school for the first time, who needed the helping buddy…..When we got off the bus he took me to the metro,showed me how use ticket, made sure I got on the right car, and made sure I got off the right stop….Grazzi . Lord knows where I would’ve ended up without this angels help.
I got back to my room, I freshened up, and wanted some food…but didn’t want to go too far…so I walked around the blocky room was on. I found an outdoor restaurant like so many and I took a seat…The matrede seated me at my table..h

He placed napkin on lap, and brought me bread…he just seemed so pleased to serve me….so nice! Watching every move I made though, falling over himself, if I needed anything..
…now using what I had read before coming here, dinner is served in courses, and you suppose to order 2 to 3….so I looked at the menu and decided to order bruschetti, small salad, and steak. …bottled water and house wine (thought I would try). The Bruschetti was a large portion, covered the whole plate….then came salad and steak….what was I thinking?…..I swear they brought me a half of a cow and a punch bowl full of salad….this meal could’ve served 5 people!
I ate what I could but was about to explode. …the waiter asked if it was good, I said “yes….but way too much”. This made him happy.
And before I could get check, he brought me a sliced apple sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon with toothpicks.”on the house madam’…delicious! …I thanked them and waddled back to my room. I was a little too full.

I figured my arrival in Italy would be a little confusing. …My biggest concern was that out of 3 phone batteries I was on the last bar of the last one….GPS gone!
I was able to figure out the train from the airport thanks to the directions of the b & b owner.” Take Leonardo Espresso to Termini station.; …got it, no problem; He also stated b&b would be within 5 minutes walking distance. …OK, first lesson in Rome..anywhere and everywhere is 5 minutes away according to Romans!
On the train ride, my B&B owner text me to ask where I was….I text back that I was on train, on my way….20 minutes later train pulls in….I walk outside of the many exits of the train station….I text owner that I was across from McDonald’s. …then of course, phone dies!…unlike many men, I have no problem asking for directions. …my tendency is to ask every 10 feet from the last person I ask before…so here I go..Person #1….’I think that address that way (he points)”….#2 “Oh that is not far, points in another direction.” #3. Cab driver wanting to give me an expensive taxi ride, but, I explained address suppose to be too close for taxi….he looked at my address and pointed the way….heading down the street at night with my suitcases, already exhausted. …#4. Fruit stand owner…snickered when I tried to pronounce address name…so, I show him address on paper and he pointed the way…(I get this a lot,snickers…)….#5. Flirtatious restaurant owner standing outside…preferred if I had came inside and eat but he pointed the way and he added that he would be happy to show me anything..#6. Man…my B&B owner, Alexandro, waiting at corner for me…takes me to my room and carries my luggage….extremely nice.
That 5 minutes in Rome is really walking 20 minutes American time….Alexandro (B&B owner) was concerned that I had not eaten, but explained I would much rather take shower and go to bed… he gave me a map of all the sights and recommendations. He was amazed at how I had all my plans layed out in a folder. He just doesn’t understand it is the execution of those plans that will be my problem.

DAY 1
Getting up early and starting my day….rain wasn’t in the plan! It will not slow me down so I began walking….I remembered Alejandro had stated it may be a problem with some museums because it is a holiday. ..Republic Independence. …I walked back to termini station and picked up my Roma pass that I had pre-ordered….I set out walking and after I went around block, everyone was told to stand back….a motorcade was coming through. ..several cars and cycles leading the one with the flags….Italys President. …and looked like a cardinal in 1 car….well now….that doesn’t happen everyday. …I continue walking and taking pictures…most amazing place. Such neat little cubbyholes with restaurants and shops….just how I imagined. …I was in heaven.
I came upon buildings I had seen in many books, I seen parades for the military day, I seen fighter jets fly over; with smoke in the colors of the Italian Flag; I found the Trevi Fountain….beautiful, lots of tourist….I took pictures; for 1 lady and she took pics for me….i found several Piazzas (meeting squares usually with beautiful fountains) and just couldn’t imagine how wonderful this place would be….it was raining, and dreary out….but such a beautiful day….at least the 1st 10 miles was..

I found the Pantheon, one of my must sees, absolutely gorgeous, also fell in love with the Pantheon fountain…..I ate lunch in a restaurant alone, and although I tried to learn a few Italian words I did not retain them…so i pointed at pictures of the food I wanted….or something I recognized…Bruschetta.

The one thing I had not found but was determined to find and that was the Colosseum. I discovered, later that, I had been standing within 850 meters from the coliseum when I was watching motorcade….now I was (probably 5 minutes) from it….not exactly. …I trudged on to where I had been. …11 miles from earlier!. I found the Coliseum. I got in the line of tourist and would be the last group to go inside..amazing and stunning. …I found the Forum and Palatino Hill (there’s a reason they call it that….it’s all uphill ); I trudge and kept moving..Adrenaline, excitement, and wonderment kept me moving forward. …the ecstasy of the sights kept my feet moving. I was truly exhausted and it was time to go back to my room….GPS was messing up and I couldn’t find way back….2 times walking around same block I was determined to figure out transportation system. ..I go to get my Roma pass out, (I had just used it for sights)…and yes, you guessed it…gone. So, I continue walking…stopped by fruit stand got my dinner of watermelon and other fruit, and headed back to sleeping quarters…It was 8:30 and I was crawling into bed….took me a while to recognize building. ..and took me forever to work the keys to the doors outside, gate, entrance and room…but I made it. Exhausted but happy!!! I looked at my walking app on phone before falling asleep…19.5 miles!

I began by spending 2 days with my daughter in Nashville. She had to take me to the airport at 4:00 am so I could catch my flight. Excitement, and anticipation made sleeping not an option.
At the airport,, I weighed all my luggage and checked in….no major event.
My first flight was to Boston, I have never been to Boston so it was going to be another adventure in itself.
The first plane was easy to board …but when we got to security I had to pull shoes off, get liquids out and laptop….not a problem until they started pushing us through so fast that I nearly was trampled….I felt like cattle and there was a prod after me….and leave it to me to have a stupid luggage strap on my suitcase where liquids were.
The flight was pretty rough….not the best feeling to look outside and see rust on the wing..and it seemed we were in constant turbulence. ..I tried sleeping a little…….but the small child in the backseat behind me screamed every 30 seconds…but this was nothing until she smacked me in the back of the head!…I was awake for sure now!!!!
The landing was really rough, I think the pilot took out several speed bumps!

Landing in Boston I called a water taxi, that I was recommended to call, because they store your luggage so you can explore the city. However; when I got outside the airport, I didn’t see water….when I spoke to the taxi she said get to dock 66…could barely hear her due to noise….so I go inside again and ask “information” how to get to dock 66….he said just wait out there somewhere…bus will pick you up….no specifics..no details, but here comes bus,…. I ask driver, :does this take me to docks?”No you have to get on 66 bus….
Next bus, “Does this take me to docks?” , “No.You have to stand way down there and catch it.”….much further than “information” had said!
Finally found bus….I just kept thinking in my mind, “why does everyone assume I know what I’m doing?” Never no details, just vague answers….” I did let go of my suitcase to get something out of bag….bus came to halt…and due to spinners on suitcase, it goes flying to the front of bus and crashes into dash. (Oops!)

Boston was wonderful, lots of American History….I ate a good lunch at Quincy Market….then I decided to ride the swan boats….I ended up on the other-side of town in which I had walked 5 miles….I was exhausted. Finally found rhe boats, rode around the little pond for 10 minutes, it was fun; however; I think my feet didn’t agree it was worth it.
Getting back to the taxi dock was a trick….seemed my GPS likes to do its own thing..(This becomes a trend for the remainder of this journey)..I walked around one certain block 2 times….had to ask directions from people….Of course I would only be asking tourist! 3 batteries later, 2 hours, and 4 miles I made it to the water taxi office.
Back to the airport, I go dragging my luggage while my feet cursed me very loudly!…I know I will be able to sleep on the next flight. (little did I know)
First, my sister didn’t believe I was getting on an airline named WOW..2. it was delayed an hour….it was a nice plane, but boy it was tight….I checked my luggage in since their restrictions are much lighter than others…hence the previous post about luggage weight.
The uniquness of this flivht began with the attendants. They looked like something that just stepped out of Ozzie and Harriett…they looked like a 1950s picture of stewardesses..step-ford wives….sort of creepy….Their actions were so animated….I wish I had taken pictures!
The first indication I wouldn’t be sleeping was the fact I had the middle seat….yes, the woman with the broadest shoulders, has middle seat..spillage everywhere…a young teenage girl on window side who could obviously sleep through a tornado and a little old man that snored in my ear and kept kicking me the whole time on the other side…..four hours and a half later we arrived in Iceland..I still haven’t slept…..only to be ushered in to another plane…ahhh, looks like I got an aisle seat! So excited about my trip, I read where if I sat on a certain side of the plane, I would be able to see the Northern Lights. It wasn’t till I was on my trip heading to Iceland, that I was informed that Iceland does not have night time in this part of the year, and I wouldn’t be able to see the Northern Lights…..
As I entered the new WOW plane, I was ready to sleep; however; the couple making out beside me and the baby crying for 3 hours ….did not create the best sleeping environment, but I was going to give it a shot….I let my seat back the 2 inches allowed and I let the tray down, going to lay my head on it. 10 minutes later the robotic animated, blond flight attendant came over put my seat up straight and told me I need sit up now..and she flipped my tray up….it was still an hour left of the flight.!!!!!

Landing in London was unique…thought I might explore the city since I had a 5 hour layover. …after waiting in line for 45 minutes just to get luggage and fill out landing info, I decided against the exploring….especially since they wanted to see my flight ticket leaving,(suitcase) how many hours I would be there, and also the fact that once I got my bag, I would have to go back …..a long way back…..to get started again….Nahhh… I’ll just wait….
Images of dozing off in a nice chair seemed awfully tempting….but there was no comfy chair till you get in security area….so off with shoes, dig for laptop and liquids….
Once inside area….it was like a packed mall during black Friday!!!! Only comfy seat I seen was maybe someone’s lap! Having all my Euro ordered from the bank, and being the prepared person I thought I was, I decided to eat a little in the airport…I understand a person has to pay extra for airport food, but I was starving…After a $28 dollar chicken wing lunch with water.(I was adding in Euro, not pounds…exchange rate much different) I finally found a chair….but sleep wasn’t going to happen.
I had now been traveling almost 40 hours, I hadn’t slept in more than 50 or 60 hours…needless to say I was getting grumpy and without shower I was getting pretty ripe in smell…the white pants I had on looked like they had been through hell. (note to self, never wear white on such trips) . I was now getting ready to board my last flight …taking me to my dream, my destination of Rome.
Tammy, my sister predicted it would be a puddle jumper..it was called Easy Jet..frankly, I think it should’ve been named…Mama’s dream flight! …it was nice, plus I got window seat….then in contrast to WOW airlines, Easy Jet attendants looked like they just stepped out of Chippendale or GQ magazine..beautiful model like men…. (one thing about these 2 flights, I found funny was the sales pitch they are required to do. Loved what they were marketing….WOW was selling hats, and other items….Easy Jet, with beautiful men, were selling makeup, Victoria’s Secret products and cologne)
Before long, here came my 2 seatmates….Understand, at this point I’m feeling punked!
2 beautiful, stop the trains, young Italian men sit down….I’m not talking handsome, I’m talking breathtaking Adonis type….and here I am in all my rankness and the gods want to have fun with me now.!… the one beside me kept being all “Italian ” in charm, broken accent, and drooling sweetness…kept staring and making conversation..Now get this, ….here I am, keeping my hand over my mouth to keep rancid breath and probably left over chicken in my teeth from being seen, I tried to be cordial as I could be….when I dropped my sunglasses, both pair, he bent down practically between my legs to retrieve them for me….all I could think was he’s going to smell my sweaty stinking feet! 3 hours of pure torture for me and I’m sure for this guy, and with myself trying keep distance as much as possible with this being the tightest seats yet. There was no way to make my body smaller in that seat….we were smashed like sardines…which I probably smelled as bad as sardines.
He was still charming, sweet and very flirtatious…yes, you read that right…blatant flirtation. (HUH?…I guess its part of the Italian thing….or maybe they like their women stinky, bad breath, hair smashed to head, sweaty face without makeup….geez)
After the flight he got my suitcase down from the upward compartment….and told me how nice it was to meet me and he hoped I had wonderful time…. (I’m sure he was running from plane as fast as he could…I would have.
IM DEFINIETLY IN ITALY

Leaving Tri Cities to Nashville so I can spend a couple days with my daughter so she can take me to the airport.
Before leaving, I checked the White tornado (my car) to make sure all fluids were ok…. it had been overheating….water, coolant, oil….check.
Driving on the road, my excitement already in full swing, I begin the journey by missing my 1st exit…..now understand this is the exit to get on the interstate….8 miles from my house, I pass daily. Of course there was no turnaround before 5 miles. ….
Back on track I am making great time. I decided to stop off the exit for a drink….and looking through the windshield, what do I see? Smoke, billowing from my hood.
Due to the fact the latch on my hood is messed up it takes several tries before I can open the latch. A gentleman seen my struggle and offered to help. I told him “the latch gets stuck.” As if not to hear me, he said,”there is a latch under hood .” Again I stated, “yes, it is messed up, we have to reclose it and it will open.” After we opened it he looked at the latch and said, I think it is messed up.: (DUH) I inspected the radiator and I realize the radiator cap was left off and laying to the side… I replaced fluids and cap. The man then asked if I would give him a ride, his feet were sore, leaning on the side of caution and the impending flash back of my sister warning her 49 yearold baby sister, “dont get in car with a stranger” Little did I know that I would be faced with this 50 miles from home….
I explained I was not comfortable but I did appreciate his help. I did notice as I went into the store someone was giving him a ride.
Before I left the store I asked if I could use pump to fill the jug with water, “just in case”. As I am trying to figure out pump, it turned on full force,soaking my socks. With wet feet, I continue my drive only to notice I obviously had stepped on an anthill, because they began
crawling up my leg.

So the journey begins.

Got my Euro and passport ready… I am packed and ready… all my clothes for 2 weeks in this tiny carry-on and purse…. the fact they weight 35 lbs for carry-on then a 11 lb purse shouldn’t matter….but unlike in China I don’t think I can get by pretending I don’t understand their language . … since I’m leaving from Boston….just don’t think that will work this time..
Speaking of weight restrictions for luggage, I think there should be a larger carry-on weight limit for us “big boned” ) people…. because that six yards of spandex /aka my swimsuit weighs a lot more than that bathing suit that fits in a pill bottle. My clothing weight allowance might get me through 2 nights… not 2 weeks. I have a feeling I will be trying to figure out that Italian washing machine a lot.
The black purse has a camera, quart baggie of toiletries (stretched so tight its collapsing the bottles), a laptop, numerous other things…hence 11 lbs.
Will keep trying to lower the weight, but I have a feeling it will be a very hot plane ride with having to wear those extra layers.

Well, I’m doing it….I’m checking off several block of my bucket list at one time. ….I’m heading across the ocean to Italy….somewhere I’ve wanted to go as long as I can remember. ..yes, I’m going interna solo at 49 years old and I’m backpacking (with my rolly suitcase) across the country of Italy….Rome, Venice, Tuscany, Amalfi
Coast…..dreams of the Coliseum, gondolas, Gelato, Sistine chapel, wine vineyards are finally coming true. … (I know many of you are thinking….I call this my misadventures because the things that happen to me are usually things that may happen to several people,people, the cumulative amount of things will happen all at one time for me.

Before I take off, I want to answer the most common asked questions….
1. Aren’t you scared?
Nervous?…a little…Afraid?…not really. If you mean fearful for my life then I need you to understand what I do for a living…I’ve either been an at risk behavioral counselor for teenagers or a high school teacher for alternative …been doing these jobs for 20+ years…I’ve been caught between fights literally over my head, I’ve had a girl fall out of ceiling on top of me, I’ve had chairs and desk fly around rooms, I’ve taken weapons away daily from students, been through numerous bomb threats,….so am I any more scared than my normal life?….not really. Do I have a false sense of bravado…no, I just understand danger…and I practice caution daily.
2. What about all the bombings? (Paris,Brussels)
Hmmmm…I live in The USA. There is not a day I can go to a mall, South Carolina church, a greyhound station, school, college campus or even a holiday party at a social service agency without taking the chance of being shot and killed….I scathed by 400 mass shootings in US (mass meaning more than 3 killed per incident ) in 2016….I’m hoping my luck will hold out. I figured my odds are pretty good consider US had 130000 violent gun deaths last year and Italy had 66. …but who knows with my luck.
3. What if you get lost? Well, the way I see it Italy is surrounded on 3 sides by water….if I hit water, I turn around….If I end up in France, again I turn around…..but then getting lost in Italy….lots of tall dark and handsome eye candy, 75% coastline and beautiful waters, pizza, spaghetti, Gelato, wine…..I’ll try my best to get lost ( oops, i mean I will try not get lost)…..
I hope everyone will follow along with me…I plan on keeping another blog, much like my trip to China…..so please follow, I’ll keep you posted.

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