The Travel Bug

In London!

kimroehl — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:28:00 GMT

Well! It is all over! Those 3 weeks went really super fast! Although at times I wanted to be home I am now in London waiting for my flight home.... I have 4hours to hang out! Oh gooody!

I have mixed emotions...although I am really excited to come home to see friends and family and my pup pup I was also really sad to leave. It is always sad to end a trip or vacation but I think in particular I was sad to leave because there is so much more to see in Italy. I saw all the major towns for the most part and have heard amazing things about outlying towns, so maybe soon to come back? I met a woman who said she was in Rome 30yrs ago and I could not help but to think as I was walking home yesterday if the worn cobble stones would be flat if I came back in those many years.

The history in Italy is not only a magnitude past comprehention but it was also much easier to grasp than that of Greece. I think because the physical aspect was so real.

Although I do have euro change to spend my time is up! I will be home very soon and with over 900 pictures to look at! Yes I will filter some so not to bore! Love you all and can not wait to be on U.S. time!

In London!

kimroehl — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:28:00 GMT

Well! It is all over! Those 3 weeks went really super fast! Although at times I wanted to be home I am now in London waiting for my flight home.... I have 4hours to hang out! Oh gooody!

The history in Italy is not only a magnitude past comprehention but it was also much easier to grasp than that of Greece. I think because the physical aspect was so real.

In London!

kimroehl — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 23:28:00 GMT

Well! It is all over! Those 3 weeks went really super fast! Although at times I wanted to be home I am now in London waiting for my flight home.... I have 4hours to hang out! Oh gooody!

The history in Italy is not only a magnitude past comprehention but it was also much easier to grasp than that of Greece. I think because the physical aspect was so real.

Roma!

kimroehl — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 19:31:00 GMT

Well made it to Rome just fine...long day of traveling I do not know how people hop cities every other day! Went walking yesterday and just kept thinking...huh...I am walking around Rome! Yup that is where Ceaser reighned...that is where they had the chariot races...coool..... I am just chillin here looking at the Coloseum! Just as amazing as Greece with the magnitude of the history and the ability to see it up close and personal. Verry Very hot! Time for Siesta to walk some more this evening. I must be the champion sight see girl because in my 20hrs I have been here I have been to the spanish steps...the fountain of something that was amazing and suppose to bring love into your life...(one can only hope) to the colosseum and the archeological sight of where kings reigned. Saw the vatican from across the river. Pretty impressive. Time for a nap and an evening of who knows what will bring.

Home in a few days! Hard to believe time has gone by so fast! Much love and harmony see you all soon! xoxo

The undeniable trugh

kimroehl — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:20:00 GMT

I guess if I have learned anything on this trip so far is that it is the same shit different day. Seriously, although I am thousands of miles away from home I still think the same, have the same insecurities and view people the same. I still stress about not having a place to live in the states, whether my animals are getting fed enough and recieving enough effection. I thought for some reason that I would have an epiphany of some sorts in regards to my career and what exactly it is I want for my future. I guess I just need to buck up and grow up! Thats about the jist of it.

I have no doubt that I have a passion for travel. It is what truely helps me to understand the ways of life and how we are the people we are today. Italy is the epidamy of old school....they live a very simple life and have true passion. If I have observed anything of the Italian culture it is that they have passion for everything and anything in life whether it is from the dinner they cook and serve to friends or the soccer game on television. I love watching the elders of this town as the men treat their women like true gems. As they walk down the street they are right at the side of their partner to warn them of a wobbly cobble stone or to grab their hand to help them over a small puddle in the street. They have true passion and love for everything they do. I feel we all have a lot to learn from them as many people I know including myself either just want to give up on things or ideas because it seems to difficult or scary or far out. This morning for example I walked around as I had nothing else really to do and ran into a parade in Il Compo the main square. Men dressed in tights and felt suits waving flags beating the drum...this was at 10 this morning before the morning heat. I have heard them all day walking and drumming around Siena. Just now I got back from an evening walk and again ran into the parade. The men were very sweaty and looking exhausted but yet there they were still marching up and down and around the crazy hills. The cutest though was the elderly men watching. When the men would stop to "throw the flag" they literally held their breath and when the flag was caught they clapped in histarium and said bravo bellisimo! over and over. All the men old and young still had smiles on their faces although they have been trudging around all day in this humid heat. I envy their passion for everyday and hope to give as much love in my life as they give to everyday.

Tomorrow off to Rome for the last of my trip. Not really looking forward to the hot train ride but hopefully I will not get caught up in any trouble! Much love xoxoxo Kimmie

P.S. I have made friends with those wicked police men from yesterday. I saw them as I was walking today as they were standing smoking and chit chatting...they said oh American Girl! Hello! Hahahaha! Whatever jerks!

Trouble trouble trouble!

kimroehl — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:49:00 GMT

I am such a trouble maker! Not intentionally of course! I have today and tomorrow left in Siena and although it is a beautiful city I am a bit bored with it. I do not want to shop anymore as armani is a bit out of my price range, soooo....I decided to go to another fountain I found the other day up by the fortress of Siena to put my feet in to cool down a bit. I guess that is a BIG NO NO! Got a ticket. Yep, the police came and made me get out of the water then instantly handed me a ticket for 150£. What am I suppose to do with this? I asked them and they said for me to pay it at the police station...I said but none of my information is on it...how do you know if I pay it? (not that I plan to) They said oh we Italians trust that you will do the right thing... Of course I said and yeah putting my feet in a pigeon filled shit pond is apperently totally out of the question! This is rediculous! I asked them if they were serious about this ticket and they said oh you american girl we just scare you! What the frick? They police really do not have anything better to do then mess with me! ah hahahaha we all laughed and I just walked away. They are so crazy here...on the train yesterday my neighbor got a 250£ ticket because he forgot to stamp his ticket in the machine before he got on the train..so what did he do? Threw the ticket away once he got off the train. They ask for no information they just hand you the ticket. Weird!

Last nite I felt like I was in a bad dream. I heard all this music and comotion on the other side of the hill so I decided to walk up there to see what was going on. Bad Italian Kareoke is what was going on. I felt like I had been morphed into a bad film where it was just drunk people singing off key in a language that did not sound like italian. Then of course YMCA came blaring over the speakers! That was my que to leave... but then I got to my room and since all the buildings are made of stone the music sounded like it was coming right from my room... I could not get away from YMCA then of course to top off the evening....MACHO MACHO MAN! Was next on the ballad. Today on my walk I saw many hung over teens...hahaha. So interesting these goofy Italians!

Ciao!

The adventure of Pisa!

kimroehl — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 02:57:00 GMT

Yep just in case you were curious the tower is still leaning in Pisa! Took a bus then two trains and another bus to get there but I made it! I have learned when in doubt ask the question...otherwise who knows where in Italy you might end up!

So interesting this roman architecture...Considering they starting building the tower in 1173 they were very smart cookies....except when it came to the base construction. That is why it is leaning...basically the foundation is crumbling. Again it is this magnificent structure made of marble how they did it I have no idea? It took them over 300 years and I dont really understand why they built it...from where it is in the city you can not see past the hills...so beats me! Cuddos to them though for making the most well known tower in the world!

My trip home was uneventful but yet fun and interesting! I have finally learned how to figure out the train schedule so jumped on a train headed for Florence got off in Empoli to change trains for the one located to Siena...no issues there made it to Siena just fine. Got off the train and jumped on the bus 9 to go home... Huh? Weird I do not recognize a thing about this route...maybe it goes around the back way. All the aged italians get off and finally one last woman was on the bus and as she got off she was looking at me like...are you coming? I sat there then the bus driver stopped the engine and swung around and looked at me like "whats up?" I said Dove Piazza Antonio Gramisci? (where is the center Antonio Gramisci?) he just looked at me and laughed and said...this is the end bella. SHIT! Where the eff am I? I asked him to show me on the map and he basically showed me that we were off the map literally. I was out in the egypt of Siena. Shit! Of course being my mothers daughter..I started to cry. Haha! That got him! Oh bella he said you wait here with me for an hour I cheer you up then we go again okay? Did I mention he was a young SUPER cute guy? No Lie! Guess my day could have ended a lot worse! He was a nice guy in his 20s and tried to speak to me in broken english..but man! Those Italians know how to flirt and make a girl feel welcome! Tee hee!

I have two days left in Siena..I think. Dont really know what day it is anymore! I guess that is a good thing? I am looking forward to maybe getting to sleep in a bit tomorrow I have those wonderful travel eyes that are red and puffy both from the heat and not sleeping well cuz I am in some crazy foreign country!

Siena!

kimroehl — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:10:00 GMT

Beautiful Siena! At first I did not really think I would like this city as there is no rivers or lakes and it seems very closed in, but once getting to know the city it is rather breathtaking. The city is built in a bowl basically so everywhere you go you have to hike at lest one hill if not two or three. My hotel view is amazing, from my room I can see the hillside full of stecko apartments then at the top is the Duomo. I did a tour of it today and it is much nicer then the one in Florence. It is made of pure marble with ancient paintings on the walls. There are these detailed carvings in marble of anything imagainable. A lot of time and effort went into that place for sure! The front of it is the most breathtaking as it is this beautiful white and pink marble with statues on every peak and detailed carvings all the way up. I can not put it inot words and if I were computer smart maybe I could upload pictures but I am me and can not figure it out!

This morning I went on a walk to try to find the train station as tomorrow I want to take a day trip to Pisa. I walked up and down and down and up so many hills for an hour and still could not find it! I will take the bus tomorrow! I did find this beautiful pond with coi fish in it though. The water was ice cold andit is in a cave like setting. I put my feet in it for I am sure at least an hour. So refreshing! In talking to someone here they said it is the oldest fountain in Siena as it is very hard to get water here there is a jump for joy whenever I can find some. So I am off to Pisa tomorrow and home in a week! Man time flies when you are having fun!

Hot Florence!

kimroehl — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 21:29:00 GMT

Well I had a super Birthday! Did not really do too much in the morning just walked the market and hung around Florence. After a nap I went to the Duomo...well tried...I got freakin lost again for over an hour! It is hard because you can not see ahead at all and all the streets are centered around piazzas or little centers so it is not like you can follow a grid either! After finally finding the Duomo I climbed the 463 steps which did not really bother me it was more the spiral stair case after spiral stair case that got to me! I got so freakin dizzy cuz I just went around and around and around and around and around and around forever! The view up top was so amazing though! I got some amazing pictures and yes it was well worth the climb!

I had a fun experience at dinner last nite. I thought I would treat myself to a nice Florentine dinner so I found a local Trattoria (family owned) restaurant. I sat down and immedietly the owner said it was a problem that I am eating alone so he was to keep me company. A very cheerful and nice Italian man. He tried to make me laugh and played funny games with the children. I made the mistake of ordering a litre of wine in celebration, the owner took that wine away and gave me a glass of "you like me better wine" it was a very delicious red wine and I could never empty my glass because the owner Fabio yes his name was Fabio kept filling my glass. After the fourth glass I told him that I must go then he insisted on giving me desert and another glass..... five glasses later I got up to leave on my way out he said you must come back at 11:30 tonite to drink with us! they closed at 10:45. I walked to the bridge over looking the Arno River and watched the sunset in happy drunken stuper. I will probably go back again for dinner tonite but could not make it until so late last nite....all the walking in the sun and heat (it was 85 when I went to bed last nite) heavy pasta dinner and not to mention the wine made me very tired.

Tomorrow morning I will be taking a bus to Siena. I dred my travel days now because these city streets make not much sense. Much love!

Firenze!

kimroehl — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Damn Americans! Hahahaha....I cought both of my trains just fine yesterday to Florence. Funny Story though...I got on an Express train from Milan to Florence and not knowing sat in a first class seat. I got on thinking wow these express trains are very nice! Laid back enjoyed the view...about 2hrs into a 4hr train ride the ticket guy asked for my ticket and he stamped it then asked me to please stand up and leave the train! I got very confused and asked what I did wrong he just said you do not belong here! So me being me I said and where do you think I belong then? I bought the ticket see! He then told me to grab my bags and grabbed my arm and escorted me 9 cars up to 2nd class showed me my seat and said "you stay here!".... Literally just about shit my pants at that time thought I was getting thrown off the train in Ghetto Bologna! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I just had to laugh! The thing that sucked was that 2nd class has no air conditioning so I got to sweat balls for the last bit!

I can not even explain the wedding in the 4 min I have to be online... By far the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to. While Judith and Clem were doing the vows there were butterflies circling their heads, vineyard in the background. Dinner was in the wine celllar and the most dramatic entrance to a dinner I have every experienced. They had Opera very loud as you walked down the stone stairs into to the cellar. Tea lights are all that lit the long stone archway hall to the area of dinner. I can not even put it into words it was so well put together!

Florence is HUGE! Very tall buildings everywhere so there is no hope if you do not have a good map. Freaking Rick Steves maps sucks monkey nuts! After getting off a 6hr train journey at 5pm it took me an hour to find my hotel which is only 4 blocks from the train station because the map he gives has only main streets.....I no longer trust him! Once I got to my hotel...by luck I was sweating profusely out of every pore on my body. Got to my hotel and there was no answer so I had to find a phone to call them and finally got into my hotel....ah a shower! Lovely!

Today is my Birthday! Happy Birthday to me! Walking around the market buying fun trinkets for friends then going to climb the duomo later tonite. It is very hot at least 85....okay out of time. Love yous Miss friends!

Georgious Gavi!

kimroehl — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:25:00 GMT

I made it! It has been a beautiful and relaxing trip so far. My journey from the U.S. took a total of about 20hours so needless to say I was very happy to get to my first hotel in Como. I didn't really have any problems, flights went very well (except the annoying 16yr old love birds on the seat next to me from Seattle to London)...made it to Milan fine, bus ride from the airport to the train station was interesting as it was pooring down rain and the bus driver was talking on the phone and texting while driving in true Italian style not paying attention to any of the street signs! Quite a ride!

The Milan train station was HUGE! I got my ticket fine for the next train but once on the platform had troubles finding where my train took of from. I ran down the 30some odd stairs to talk to the only ticket guy in english with 5min left before the train left. He told me which platform and I had to run allllll the way to the other end of the platform...and missed my damn train! Had a minor melt down tears and all purely from utter exhaustion at that point. But pulled myself ogether and thank goodness there was another train an hour later. Got to Como rather late and never thought I would be so happy to see my brother standing at the top of the stairway waiting for me at the station. All in all not a big problem.

Como was georgious but now in Gavi...wedding tonite! Our hotel over looks vineyard after vineyard simply amazing! Last nite there were fireflies scattered all over the ground and it was simply magical! Got a bit burned by the pool yesterday so going into town to get some sunscreen! Ciao! Will be in touch soon! I tried to upload some pictures but could not figure it out? Tommorow I travel to Firenze! Wish me luck!

To freak or not to freak?

kimroehl — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 23:43:00 GMT

Welp that is it! I am packed...animals dropped off...plane ticket printed up. So now is the queston....When am I going to freak out? I feel lost in an inbetween world of realities at the moment. You know all the little stuff you have to think of before a trip...bills that need to be mailed... coffee maker off blah blah blah...but now I am trying not to think too hard into the future of my trip.

Today I have been extremely emotional...and that is not normally like me to well up tears every few minutes for an unexplicable reason. I have felt today that I am allowing myself the grievance of leaving my life behind. At the moment I have all my life belongings in boxes stored waiting for the next "home", my animals my babies are dispersed all over Washington, and here I am leaving to go walk around Italy. I feel as if I am shedding a new skin to release the guilt of the past, but yet knowing that I will come home to my beloved family, friends and animals I wonder what my view will be of those friendships, intimate relationships with those I love. It is frightful but yet so empowering and I guess it is just coming out in tears.

This is not just a vacation for me to go relax it is a journey of letting rid of emotions, stipulations, burried treasures of guilt and really exploring what I need from my life. Everytime I have gone overseas it has broadened my third eye into seeing my true inner self concious. It is rather scary to confront all that but as my grandmother says "the past is part of the present" therefore I better get truckin to the future and deal with the past to really enjoy the present.

This is a bit heavy I know, but hopefully the next one I won't be so freaked out and will be loving the experience. Ciao! Until Italia!

Egh! The flight!

Much love

xoxo

K to the I to the double M Y!

What does life have to offer?

kimroehl — Mon, 9 Jun 2008 22:45:00 GMT

I have set up this Journal so you can tag a long with me on my journey trough Italy. I am not sure really where to start...Well I guess from the beginning.

The trip originated because our dear family friend in Germany is getting married. Can I just say how excited I am for the wedding! I know it is going to be a blast because first off it is a week long celebration in wine country Gavi! Also I know it will be a kick ass party because if you know the Clem he knows how to have a good time! Once I knew I was going for the wedding (thank you VERY much mom and dad for the wonderful gift of flight!) I figured...when in Rome! So now my trip has grown to a 3week adventure.

My trip will be Originating in Lake como to spend some time with the fam, then to the wedding in Gavi for four days, then off I go from Milan to Florence for three days. This will be my first days on my own, not to mention my BIRTHDAY! I will be spending my birthday probably at the top of the duomo over looking the sunset on the tuscan valley.....ahhh can not wait!

I will then be venturing to Siena for a total of six nights. I am super excited about this leg of the trip because I will have plenty of time to RELAX! If you know anything about me I have been through some rough times in the past years. We all have them at one time or another and they can be extreme to us in all different ways...but for me my journey in life is just starting to get fun. I am looking forward to spending time really searching my soul.

There is nothing like being away from home and really learning what it is you appreciate about your life. I am at such a unique place in my life that I feel my options are endless for the future.

After plenty of wine drinking and day trips out to the coast I will spend my last days in Rome doing the usual tourist activities.

Now that you know my reason for this journey I hope you check in now and again to say hello! Much love and harmony! See you in Italia!!!!!!!