There and back again

Day 2 - Traveling to Bergamo

geneofsf — Fri, 22 May 2015 01:32:00 GMT

I woke up at an absurdly early hour of 5:52 AM from my windowless room. I sat around and did some work for the next couple of hours, as I had until 12:50 PM until my bus to the airport. Since I got up at that absurdly early hour, I decided to get up at go to the 7-11 above my hostel to get coffee. I was surprised that the clerk was what many view to be the stereotypical Swedish woman, blonde and blue eyed.

I then brought my coffee to my room and did a little more work and messaging friends. I then went to get ready. Even though I have a private room, I did not have my own personal bathroom. Matter of fact, the only accomodation I paid for with a communal shower. I was a little dumbfounded with how to start the shower. It was exactly like the sink at work. You wave your hands in front of a motion detector and the water turns on. However I wasn't expecting the shower to turn off after 90 seconds. There was a constant waving of hands to get the water going. I then thought, "This would be great for California!"

Since it was early, I took a tour of Stockholm City Hall. The most prestigous event that happens every year there is the Nobel Prize banquet. I knew I wanted to see what it was like. I dropped my bag off with reception to watch, and walked over to Stockholm City Hall. The ticket was 100 kronas, or about $12.

I enter in with my tour group and I am taken into the Blue Room. There is nothing blue about this room as its walls are bricks. The name comes from the windows above that would allow the blue sky to come in. The stairs were made specifically for women in evening gown and heels. I think they were the easiest stairs to walk on. The next room we go to is the city council chambers. It reminded me of Rohan when I looked up at the ceiling, as it was very Nordic. The next main room we go to is a hallway that looks out onto the lake, and a mirror image of what's outside the window was painted on the wall so if you were facing away from the window, you can see it through the painting. Finally we made it to the Golden Room. This room was floor to ceiling gold. Lots of mosaics that represent different civilizations. At the other end was a massive mosaic of a lady. She is the Lady of the Lake and is the center of the universe with Stockholm in her lap. Eastern civilizations were to her right, and western civilizations were to her left.

I got done with the tour and made it back up to my hostel to pick up my luggage and go to the train station. I got a quick lunch and boarded the bus to go 100km to Skavsta airport. I had to arrive an hour and a half before check in because the next bus would have cut it too close to my flight time. I sat around and waited nervously because I haven't been through EU airport security before. I was even more nervous when the "TSA agent" asked me something in Swedish. I said, "English?" He asked, "Do you have any liquids or gels?" I replied, "No." I made it through security still pretty nervous as I was dealing with re-arranging my plans at the same time. I then boarded my Ryanair flight, which is very different then how you board in America. I got on and took off for Italy.

I then arrive at Il Carivaggio Airport in Bergamo, took the bus up to Porta Nuova, and walked to my hostel. I talked the receptionist out of paying for two nights because I was most likely going to stay one night. I then made it to my room, but it was too dark and I was too tired to go out and walk. I spent the remainder of my night arranging the next day for my early departure from Bergamo.

Begamo to Lugano

geneofsf — Wed, 13 May 2015 17:42:00 GMT

I woke up in my room to a beautiful morning outside my window. This is when it felt truly like Italy when I looked out onto the hostel's courtyard. I was surprised I was able to get up. I was up late making arrangements for an earlier than expected departure. My original plan was to spend a whole day in Bergamo, then head up to Lugano the next day. However relatives and friends were insisting that I ditch Bergamo. The conundrum I was faced was meet up with people, or explore a city that I very much wanted to see? Luckily a compromise was made because of logistics, so I now planned to have a day-trip in Bergamo.

After waking up enough, I walked downstairs to get breakfast. It was my ideal breakfast. Small slices of bread with jam, cookies, and coffee. It's an idealized life I would love to live, but would also want to keep special by not making it a regular routine.

It was set to be a warm day. I packed everything up for another day of transit mixed with sightseeing. The fun part of all of this was having 10 kg of everything I needed on my back. First I had to go to the train station to buy my train tickets. I walked to the train station and found the automatic ticket kiosk. I approached the machine and selected English as my language. The machine then blared out, "Beware of pickpocketers!" I though how that announced me as a tourist to everyone around me who didn't speak Italian! I got through buying my tickets with ease figuring out that my ticket was open-ended. I could get on any train as long as it was going to the destination I selected.

After I purchased my tickets, two Italian women ran up to the kiosk and were putting in Euros expecting it to spit a ticket out. It was clear they didn't know how to use the kiosk. I then offered my assistance with my limited Italian. After buying tickets three times, I chose Italian as my language option. I asked where they were going and how many tickets. The woman said she was going to Milano Centrale. I then entered in Milano Centrale as the destination and confirmed the purchase. The women were sorting out coins to put into the machine and were able to put in three euros. Unable to find the final euro needed to purchase the ticket, I then pulled out a euro and inserted it into the machine to help the cause. One of the women exclaimed that I shouldn't have paid the euro! After the ticket printed, I was given a euro back in pocket change. Both of the women thanked me and gave me a big hug and kiss on the cheek and went off. I felt very happy to have helped and welcomed to have assisted. This was my good deed of the day and brightened my trip!

I walked to the bus stop to buy my bus ticket to get from the lower town of Bergamo to the funiculare to the upper town. I hoped on the bus with my backpack on hand. I knew I was taking up a lot of space, so I did my best to make myself and my bag small. My eye was somewhat drawn to a priest dressed in a light grey shirt. He was older and looked a bit like a younger Pope Benedict XVI. In the United States I never see priests in public. I noticed more how he was one of the older people on the bus, juxtaposed with the Italian youth wearing the latest fashion and talking amongst each other.

The bus arrived at the funiculare station. I got off and waited in the shade to escape the heat. The funicular arrived, and the group waiting went aboard. We were briskly carried up to the upper town. Once I got out of the station, I felt transported to the past. I walked down the main alley to Piazza Vecchia. The main square was bustling with activity from school children. I wandered upon young women who were handing out maps of Bergamo. I told them I spoke English, and I was given some tips on what to see in Bergamo. I was also asked if I was going to Expo in Milan. I told them I will be attending next week, and am looking forward to it.

I wandered further into another square where the cathedral and a basilica are. I first entered into the basilica. It was a magnificent baroque church with lots of detailed artwork. I looked up and admired the basilica's ceiling with the school group almost following my steps. They were probably just as enthralled as I was! After taking a quick walk through and some pictures, I ventured over to the cathedral.

One of Bergamo's famous residents was the recently canonized Pope John XXIII. I could sense the pride that Bergamo had for their saint. The cathedral was more bare and less decorated than the basilica. I wandered towards the back where I found a chapel dedicated to Pope John XXIII. It contained a statue of the new saint, and his papal tiara. I grabbed a prayer card and went back into the main area. As I exited I found a stairway going underneath the altar. As as Catholic, I know that usually means more chapels and most likely tombs. Decending down, I entered into a large dark room with tombs surrounding the middle. I walked by each of the tombs. After walking through, I ascended back into the cathedral and walked out to see more of Bergamo.

Day 1 - Stockholm

geneofsf — Wed, 13 May 2015 00:11:00 GMT

It's been eight years since I've been to Europe, and my first time to Sweden. Sweden feels very much like Washington State, it's green everywhere. When I got off the plane, the passport control hallway was constructed with fine smelling wood. It felt very inviting. I then made my way through a maze of hallways and stairs to the baggage claim, where I waiting about 10 minutes for my bag. I got off and continued walking.

Thinking I was out of the terminal I started following a group of very attractive Icelandic girls thinking they must be getting out. Let's just say I was more distracted than paying attention! I missed the customs hallway by about 10 feet, then got outside the terminal!

Honestly, Sweden does not feel very foreign! Every sign is in English. Everyone speaks English. The food also is not out of the ordinary. I feel very comfortable and welcome.

I went and bought my ticket for the Arlanda Express train. This was my first time using the chip and pin feature on my phone, and it worked well. I then took the escalator down to the station and noticed something. I was hearing seagulls. I was thinking why are there birds in here?! As I got further down, I realized the station was modeled after a seaside cave, even with the environmetal factors done right!

I got down to the station and barely missed my train. That was actually a good thing because I wouldn't have met two good guys who were on the same flight as I was from Oakland. We made it onto the train and they were not lying with how quick and efficent it was! The train went 200 km/hr. It cost about $31, but it was worth the efficency.

As I was off the station, I was surprised how much Stockholm Central looked like a mall! The floor was so clean that if I dropped food on it, I would pick it up and still eat it. While hanging around, a Swedish man starting talking, well, Swedish to me. I did not understand one word he said but he was asking something. He left with a tiny fit. That was the moment I realized I am in Sweden. For all I know, he could have been asking me out on a date.

After leaving Stockholm Central, I walked down the main street towards my hostel. The architecture felt French. You could mistaken a photo I took with a Parisian street. I enjoyed looking into the stores and seeing people sitting inside, and the technology that is used in there as well. I did not feel like I was in a foreign country.

What also stood out were what I assume are gypsies. They were all hanging around the train station holding cups out for money. This is surprising because I read that Swedish people don't use cash almost at all. So they must have a hard time pulling some money.

Finally I made it to my hostel, down in the basement of a building. The staff member was friendly and was really good at pronouncing my last name. I have a small windowless room (windowless for a reason, the sun doesn't set fully around this time) with a simple table, and TV. I am already loving it. I will have to explore it now and see how it looks. Based on my almost four hours in Sweden, I already love it here.