After your intrepid explorer was busily entering the latest travels in the currently screening diary logs, of course the Internet place (the only one open at the time) suffered a catastrophic meltdown that it failed to fix in time for me to become really bored with the internal scenery... **sigh** me and the Internet Gods, we really must get to an understanding...
So, where was I up to last time? Hmmmm... must read my own blog...
Well apart from my observations of the previously mentioned Americans, the trip thus far has been superb. It's amazing how much can be understood between local and foreigner with just the hint of pity and a failing grasp of English or Italian. Me being a little light on in both categories, of course (yeah, yeah, Chez and Ian I got in first).
So for a general update. So long as you don't mind avoiding the dog turds and dodging the cigarette smoke, the streets are remarkably wonky and unclean. Well, maybe that's contributed to via the aforementioned ingredients?
Each city has its own character and by far the prettiest has been Venice. Well, minus the unkempt old and tired buildings, of course. However the area around Tuscany is amazingly pretty. Great wine, too. Let's just say that there was something of a dint made in the local cellars of vino del rosso (didn't take long to learn that phrase, let me tell you!).
After snapping more photos of old stuff and regaling in the wonders of the area, my back decided it would give out on me. Yep, the next five or so days resulted in a number of sessions trying to sort the bloody thing out. To be accurate, the middle back went first due to lugging more and more crap around on a wheeled suitcase then the lower back went out in sympathy after I mostly fixed the middle part.
So that made travelling and sight-seeing a little more restrictive...
For the most part it's now sorted out, but not my ability with an Italian keyboard! I can't wait to see how bad a French one is...
Keyboards notwithstanding, I was sad to leave Siena feeling that there was so much more to see. Particularly from the rear vision mirror of an Opel Astra driving on the right-hand side of the road.
After several attempts at scaring the locals I managed to get used to the left-hand seat and driving like a loony. Those European diesels can really motor when you put your foot down!
Said mode of tranport was used to take in the outskirts of Florence and the impairment of some towers that from initial viewpoints looked as though it was done deliberately to make a landmark for Pisa. At least I can say I've crossed off several items from the 'must see around the world' handbook. I can die leaving 991 to go...
So from the depths of Tuscany to the tidal ranges of Venice, the stay at nearby Vicenza was just sensational. Once again, the philosophy of exploring outside the mainstream paid off in much better coffee and chats with a Macedonian barman. That man makes excellent grappa!
Time is running out on my Internet allocation, so just to sign off... am currently in Milan after travelling from Vicenza and enjoying Venice. The only thing bad about Venice was the bloody hawkers at the side of the footpath trying to sell you handbags (yep, would look great on me) or a view from the seat of the restaurant.
Had one of the best meals ever at Venice, though, overlooking the Grand Canal. Wonder what the poor people are doing today....
Until next bat time stay good.
