Day 22: I'm on a boat!

May 20th, 2012 ---

Okay, I lie, I'm on a ship! Yeaahhhhhhh!!!!!!

I woke up this morning, quickly threw together the last bits of my stuff and headed for the complimentary breakfast in the hotel. Some yogurt, a pancake, croissant and tea later I was checking out and trying to figure out where to go with the hotel shuttle to the cruise ship not leaving till noon and it was only 10am.

I'm standing outside, luggage in one hand, the other blocking the sun as I looked out to see if I could catch a taxi, when an older Irish couple come out of the hotel and ask if I'm heading to the ship.
"Yes! The Royal Caribbean?"

Turns out they had were headed that way as well and told me that I could walk with them if I liked. Apparently there was a complimentary shuttle just down a few blocks at the entrance of all the ports.
Perfect!

I follow them down, very nice couple, and then was greeted by the bus driver who watched my every move walking towards the bus, saying "bellaaaa, bella! You know what that mean?" I smiled and nodded, thanking him."Bellissima!"
The bus dropped me off infront of a big white tent about 6-or-so minutes down the road - it was so exciting to see this ENORMOUS cruise ship docked beside it! I was so giddy and excited!!!

I gave my suitcase to one of the attendants standing by and then mosey'd on over to fill out a few forms, drink some lemonade and wait for my number to be called to check in!

After checking in and getting my SeaPass card, i had to hand over my passport to the police (who apparently keep it the whole cruise) and I walked up and on to the massive cruise ship!

It didn't take as long as I thought to get lost. Having walked on, I immediately had no idea what to do or where I was going! A woman with a welcoming face immediately saw my confusion,
"can I help?"
"umm... actually, yes. I don't know where to go!"
And that's when she looked at me and said "Anywhere! Go explore!"

I couldn't help but laugh, if she only knew that all I've been doing for the past 22 days is exploring! Haha!
I asked her if I could see my room, to which she said wouldn't be ready for another 2 hours but if I wanted to, I could go up to the 5th floor - The Promenade, and grab a drink or have some munchies.

As the elevator dinged at the 5th floor, I walked out and was blown away at the size of this promenade. Shops, restaurants, stairs going up and down and decorations hanging from high above! It was beautiful!

Since I had managed to check in and be on board before the suggested boarding time, there weren't very many people around! It was nice to wander around a few floors of the ship, exploring, while no one was around and it was quiet and peaceful.

As I wandered, my carry-on bag getting a biiiiiiit heavy for my liking, I managed to find the champagne bar! Hallelujah! Hahaha! Time to get my celebration on!

Took out my little SeaPass card, grabbed a mimosa and then happily read my book at one of the tables. How exciting!! I feel like I'm on a real vacation now!!
I mean, not that this whole trip hasn't been an amazing vacation already.. I'm talkin' about little-umbrella-in-your-piña-colada-while-you-bask-in-the-sunshine-on-the-pool-deck kind of vacation! Haha (Well okay, I know I still had a mimosa in hand but the piña coladas will come and I'll be ready to take a sip and a bite of the pineapple that is so nicely placed on the rims edge!

So, I read my book for a little bit then found out that there was a lunch buffet a few floors up. I found the guest relations desk, grabbed a few descriptions and itineraries then decided it might be nice to scope out the buffet and grab some veggies!

While stacking my plate with some healthy snacks, I ended up running into the Irish couple again who warmly welcomed me to sit at their table with them! We chatted about all the fun things described on the itinerary and before we knew it, it was one o'clock and we could go see our rooms! Wahoo!

I go on a search for the elevators and after pressing the button, the elevator doors open to a few people inside - two of them were very good looking, muscly, guys who look to be around my age and have an accent. Woop! HELLO! Haha

I get in the pretty silent elevator, and quietly but clearly I can hear this really crappy JLo and Pitbull song that I despise. (Of all the crap elevator music they could play...JLo really? Ha! -- Whatever, vacation!)

I get out on the 8th floor, so do the cute guys.
Hmm.. Okay.
I'm walking down the hall, them slightly behind me - walking in the same direction - still hearing JLo playing on what must be the hallway speakers.. I find my room and then as I'm digging for my SeaPass card it occurs to me that that crappy music? Yeah, it was coming from myyyy headphones! Dahhhhhh! Hahahaha GO FIGURE!
(Insert red, embarrassed cheeks here.)
All the people in the elevator must've been thinking "who IS this girl? Jammin to JLo... Diva" haha
Oh well! C'est La Vie!

Standing infront of my room, on the door is a sign saying "Bon Voyage!" -- how cute!

Hmm.. Wait a minute.. No one else's door has a cute little sign on it...

Mom.....?
... Dad......?
Hahaha

I open the door and there are little streamers and decorations all over the room in blue and yellow and "Bon Voyage!" exclamations everywhere!

Awwwwwwwww! :) Yayyyyyyyy! Thanks parents!!!

The room is fantastic! Big enough closet to unpack my suitcase! Vanity! Tv! Couch! Super comfortable queen bed and wicked balcony that was looking out to the ocean! Wahoooo!
BRING ON THE PIÑA COLADAS AND LITTLE UMBRELLAS!

I put down all my stuff then do a solid flying Superman pounce on my bed and soak it in! It's time to relax and fiinnnnaaaaally not have to think about the next train I have to hop on or who may yell at me about putting my feet up! Take that crazy Italian man! In yo face! Ha!

I open up the balcony door, enjoying a great view of the ocean and another couple cruise ships docked beside ours then decide to go find out what the gym is like!

On deck 11, where the lunch buffet was (at the Windjammer restaurant), there was a large pool and lots of chairs for soaking in the sun, and then behind the pool was the gym and spa!
The gym was on the very back of the boat with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean! YEEEEESSSS!!!!!!

If you know me well enough, you know I go to the gym pretty much every day, sometimes twice a day, plus yoga (sometimes). I'm very active and love it! Its how I de-stress and always stay positive. And for the last month and a half, not only have I been eating my weight in incredible European food, I have also had very little time to go to the gym having had my best friend from Canada visit before my trip, working, freelancing, trip planning, going to Canada before Europe.. It's been pretty hectic. Thus leaving me feeling crappy and unhealthy. So, I'm sure its needless to say at this point that when I found the gym I was stoked! Now all I had to do was get some running shoes from one of the stores in the promenade and I'd be good to go!

I wandered around the ship some more, checking out the mini golf and the rock climbing wall and the spa and the library, all the while awaiting the shops to open as well as constantly seeing those hot elevator guys around.

I literally saw them everywhere I went! It was so weird. They probably thought I was creeping or something lol aghh... Haha

Finally the shops opened, I ran down to buy a pair of running shoes and then headed back to my room to change and give my parents a call.

As I was on the phone with them, I hear a knock on the door. My "stateroom attendant" introduces himself (his name I can't remember - oops) and he brings in a bottle of wine and a fruit basket with a note: "Happy first cruise!!! Have fun! XO Love Mom and Dad!"

Dawwwww, I have great parents! :) Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I talked to them about everything I had seen on the ship thus far and then went off to the gym! (Seeing the guys one more time on the way... seriously, in gym clothes now? Can't catch a break!)

After working out for about an hour, I headed back to my room, showered, watched some tv, changed... Taking my time, enjoying life -- by this point it was already 9ish and I had missed my 8:30 seating for supper. I knew I was going to miss it because of the gym, but I didn't mind, wasn't thaaaaaat hungry anyways.

I went downstairs to the Promenade and spent some more time exploring, grabbing a mini calzone at the snack restaurant making small talk with the bartender and people around me. Again... Seeing those guys... I swear they're following me now. Haha! Then I head down to the casino to look around.
When I come out the other side, as I'm walking up the stairs, I see the guys one more time. They stop and watch me for a second, so finally I turn around and before I have a chance to open my mouth, they laugh and say "You're following us huh?" (agghh!)
I start laughing- "I thought you guys were following me!"
They (Rob & Dave) ask if I'm here alone and I explain what I've been doing for the last few weeks. Rob & Dave are personal trainers from Dublin. They ask where I'm from and as it turns out one of them just so happens to be coming to San Diego a few days after I get back! How funny!
So as we're talking about San Diego, a girl perks up as she's coming down the stairs that were all standing on, "San Diego?! Did I hear you say something about Pacific Beach?" Her name is Holladais, about our age, and lives in Coronado!

We decide to all grab drinks together and go down to the night club on board called "The Dungeon".

Hours, dancing, tequila and several drinks later - it was time to call it a night. It was almost 2am and I had to be up for a tour of Taormina, Sicily at 7am.

Uggghhhh.... Why do I do this to myself???!

I'm gunna just go ahead and say/ put the blame on "college years".
Haha! Ugh...

Day 21: To Civitavecchia!

May 19th, 2012 ---

I just arrived at my beaaaauuuutiful accommodations, Hotel San Giorgio in Civitavecchia - thanks dad!!! It's freakin awesome!! I've been travelling since 8pm last night when I boarded the ferry in Zadar, Croatia.

It was a long night with little sleep on a terribly uncomfortable couch.

I arrived in Ancona and was off the ship by 7:15 this morning. Exhausted and not planning on doing that awful 20-30minute walk back to the train station, I hopped in a cab off I went. I had a little time to kill so I grabbed a croissant at the cafe and sat reading my book. (I swear, by the time I get home I'm going to have to seriously find a Croissants Anonymous to attend. Aghh! Sooo amazing!!!)

I got on my train at 8:30 and was off to Rome, when I switched to another to bring me to Civitavecchia. Thankfully my hotel was only about 2.5 blocks from the station. (Again, thanks dad!! Haha)

It's now approaching 3:00, baby needs a shower and a glass'a wine! Haha! Cheers!

---

I took a shower, through on a pair of shorts and a tee and headed out to find a glass of wine, ending up next door on the patio of a nice little restaurant. The one thing that's really starting to bother me about Europe, especially Italy, is how much everyone just stares at you. They're so obvious about it too! I mean people stare every where and maybe back home I usually just don't care, but here it's like: am I doing something wrong? Have I offended you people in some way? Let me enjoy my glass of wine without you watching my every sip, please. Sheesh.

It soon started to get a bit chilly, do I finished my wine and small salad I had ordered and headed for a quick stroll along the beach before heading back to my hotel.

I was exhausted from such a long day, so I kept it mellow - painted my nails, talked to some friends, re-packed my suitcase and enjoyed the ocean view sitting on the window sill. Beautiful blue water, lovely sunset! It was quite nice!

Then after having a quick convo with my parents I headed off to sleep, excited about boarding my cruise in the morning!

Day 20: Adventures to Plitvice

May 18th, 2012 ---

Morning came quick when my alarm went off at 6:30 this morning. Having checked the weather last night and the forecast being 72 and sunny, I quickly got threw on a pair of shorts and a tshirt, grabbed a light sweater, some yogurt & a banana and headed out the door to meet my tour guide and bus down the road for my adventure to Plitvice Lakes!

I walked 15 minutes through the streets and over the pedestrian bridge to our meeting spot at the Branimir plaza/area. When I arrived, they welcomed me then looked me up and down and asked me if I had any long pants. Of course I didn't bring anything else with me..
"you are going to freeze!!"
"oh noooo!!!"

Long story short, the owner ended up running home and grabbing a pair of his wife's yoga pants and a jacket for me. -- I swear Croatians are the nicest people in Europe (thus far)!

Myself, the super friendly female tour guide Dinka and another family boarded the small bus and left around 7:45am. We picked up a few other people and then headed on our way to Plitvička Jezera National Park.

We made a quick stop to meet another bus with the same tour company at a restaurant about 30 minutes out. At the restaurant they had a small "zoo" --- really just a large, large fenced in area with a few bears in it, and another with some deer. It was so neat to see a bear up close! I don't think I've ever really seen one so close!
Now I just need to see some lions & tigers to make this trip complete.. Haha :)

We got back in the bus, continued driving through the mountains of Croatia; going through a 6km-long tunnel and then made it to the park.

With our packed lunches and entrance tickets in hand, we set off on the trails through the park.

There are few words that I could use that could describe how unbelievably immaculate this national park was. I also feel no picture, could ever do it justice either (though I did get some reeeeaaallyyyyy good ones!)

The first part of our hike lasted an hour and a half. At the beginning of it, we hopped on a boat that brought us across a small lake to where the trails began. The trails all made of wooden planks, like low bridges over hundreds of small waterfalls, everywhere. The water sometimes running right beside your feet, and when strong enough, onto the pathway.

The sky blue and sun shining, we walked the hour and a half passing crystal clear water that you could see to the vey depths of every part of the lakes. We hopped on another boat that led us across the largest lake of the park. We quickly sat and ate out lunch in a wide open area filled with picnic benches, a souvenir shop, park attendants BBQing rotisserie chickens and tons of people - tourists and children & teenagers on school trips.

Following lunch we walked another hour and a half, to where we came to a large cave higher off the ground, steps carved out of the rock, leading up and into it. My amazing tour guide, who I made friends with since she was closer to my age, at 26, then anybody we were with, explained that if I went up into the cave and kept climbing the stairs there was a scenic viewpoint that looked down onto the main lake we were at. Of course I haaaaaad to go up!

I walked up and through the cave, avoiding drips and puddles from the roof of it, climbing the rocky stairs that winded back and forth till I was on top and out of the cave. I walked along the dirt pathway and was met by a guardrail and a bunch of other tourists. As I looked over the edge, I couldn't even believe how amazing the lake looked. From that height, you could see the clear turquoise blue and jade-colored water, with all the plant life in it. You could see the levels of waterfalls that went down to where it calmed and our little wooden-planked path crossed the lake. I probably took a hundred pictures from just up there and I don't think any of them will ever quite portray what it was really like, which was absolutely breathtaking.

I stayed up there for a few minutes then headed back down to continue our adventure to the largest waterfall in the park - "The Great Waterfall," unique name huh? Haha It's 78 meters high and it was amazing! I've seen Niagara Falls before, which is pretty great, but this entire park made Niagara Falls look like nothing special, what-so-ever! Parts of it crashed down into the water below, other parts of the waterfall just dribbled or streamed down along the rock and all the mist blowing around into our faces.

After The Great Waterfall, we had to continue along another pathway that overlooked a huge drop (another waterfall) and a big rainbow at the bottom, it was so pretty. We walked up a steep incline to view the Great Waterfall from afar and then reached the lower park entrance where our bus awaited. The whole experience was absolutely insane!
I don't think I did it justice in my explanation of it all, but I'm at a complete lack of words and can only say it just simply must be seen for yourself.

After what seemed like a very long bus ride back into town, I walked back to the hostel where I packed up my stuff, made a last minute salad and pasta then headed off to my ferry.

The sun was setting as I was walking over to the ferry. With sunsets lighting up the sky with oranges and pinks and purples, I swear they will never get old. I put my suitcase on one of the couches, went outside on deck to enjoy the last of Croatia, the sunset and the view of the Greeting to the Sun then embarked on another overnight trip across the Adriatic Sea back to Ancona.

Zzzz... What a successful and great adventure today! :)

Oh and I also tried Klarlovačko, the Croatian beer, for the first time and it was pretty great! :)

Day 19: Sea Organs & Sunshine!

May 17th, 2012 ---

Sleeeeeeeeeeep! Ahhh, it felt so nice to wake up at a decent hour (9ish) and actually feel rested for the first time in a while. Feelin so fresh! Yayyy! Guess I really needed that mellow day yesterday! :)

Still, currently, laying in bed but about to get up and go check out what Zadar had to offer! Reaaaally wanna see the Sea Organ today!

----

I had quickly dressed, grabbed one of the pears I had purchased at the store last night and headed down the four floors and out along the streets. The waters edge was only a few blocks so I went in that direction. As I landed on the street that runs along the water, I looked to my left - the direction I was going to go to see the Sea Organ, then looked to my right and gasped.

There, under the blue, blue sky and sunshine, from the water back: sat sail boats... cute little Croatian houses.... Lush, deep green trees... And then rows and rows of snow covered mountains!

What the hell, Croatia???! I heard you were beautiful, but this??!! Geeez la weez!!!!

Sooooo incredible!

I love San Diego, so much, don't get me wrong - but to live in a place where you can sit by the ocean and marvel at the snowy mountain peaks beside you? I would love that.

After enjoying the mountains for a few moments, I decided to walk back in the direction of the Sea Organ.

On the rounded edge, ocean side, of the part of Zadar that juts out - is a large round disc in the ground with LEDs and solar panels built into it. Its called the 'Greeting To The Sun'. It's quite large, and lights up when the sun goes down.

I stood there, doing a 360 degree video of where I was standing, ocean water around me, islands across the water, mountains in the background... So beautiful.
I continued and walked a few steps further south and found myself overlooking the world's one and only Sea Organ!

The Sea Organ is a bunch of long stairs lining the waters edge, different sections at different levels. With pipes built into the stairs the waves push air through creating its own tune. It's amazing to see the ocean play music.

When i realised I was so close to it, I rushed over, ripping out my earbuds and stood at the top corner before the stairs and just stood in awe of the waves crashing against the stairs and, like magic, a tune being created.

I moved on to sit on the steps, where I sat for about a half hour or so enjoying the beauty of it all. It was magnificent and magical and so cooooool! Haha I loved it!

When I was ready, I decided to keep walking south along the water till I saw a little market that I browsed through, beside it old ruins and churches and people sitting on patios eating their lunch. I continues walking down the side streets till I felt I had gone a bit far and found a little rounded archway, apartments above, that I made a left into and up a small set of stairs where I ended up finding Five Wells Sqaure! Haha! I always get lost in the right direction and best ways.
Anybody feel like getting lost with me? I'm headed to Rome next! I'm sure we'll stumble upon something famous, while lost! Haha! :)

Five Wells Square, is really, just five old wells in a line in the middle of a square. Surrounding the square is a large castle like wall and a beautiful, in bloom, park. Lush green trees with little yellow and purple flowers, small lizards running across stone pathways and small cobblestone walls around the gardens.

As I walked through the park, I found a small white, round building built into the rock, curious as to what it was I asked the builder sitting outside. He told me it was going to be a nightclub, opening in 8 days! It was so neat! They had a round patio out front of it in a courtyard that overlooked a small part of the harbour and from it, you could also see the mountains! Too bad it wasn't open sooner, I would've love to have checked it out!

I carried on my way, wandering the streets of Zadar. Finally finding a bank machine to take out some Kuna's (their currency in Croatia) and then finding a little stand in a square where a woman was selling pastries. While buying some cherry-filled awesomeness, I asked her to teach me how to say thank you.
"Hafvala" (no clue how to spell it, but that's how it sounds! Lol)
"ha.."
"H's are hard to say, it's like 'HAf-vala, with the throat"
"HAfvala"
"Yes, yes!"
"well, Hafvala!" haha

As I walked around the square, another market with fresh fruits and vegetables were being sold. I decided to pick up a tomato and cucumber for my salad tonight. I couldn't believe how cheap it was! 1 Kuna is equal to $0.17 in the United States. The cucumber cost me 2 Kuna, a tomato for 5. Cucumbers for $0.34 and tomatoes for $0.85??!! Score!!! Load me, lady! Haha! Now that I'm thinking about it, I should've got some strawberries too! Hmm... Maybe I'll go back in a little bit! :)

I bought my veggies and headed back towards the water where I found a little park bench and sat enjoying the sunshine, light breeze and sat with my headphones in listening to such a happy song I hadn't listened to in a while: When You're Smiling by Leftover Cuties. (Papa & Mema: you guys may recall I sent this song to you both while Mema was at Grand River Hospital)

The link to the song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZLfQaSoBY8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Such a happy song isn't it? Such a perfect sunshine & park-sitting song! And gosh know, I was smiling! Beautiful place, beautiful day!

I laid down on the bench, biography of Grace Kelly in hand and read a chapter or two before deciding to head back to that little market for some strawberries.

After the market I headed back to my apartment-like hostel to make a salad for lunch before attempting to hunt down this yoga place I found the address of.

The yoga place was supposed to only be about a 15 minute walk, not that big of a deal but when I got to the address, I was staring at a pretty ghetto looking apartment building and no yoga in sight. Fail.

So once again I decided to just head back to the hostel.

On my way back I saw a big sign saying "Excursions!". At first, I sort of ignored it, and then something caught my eye...

---

The whole reason why I wanted to go to Croatia was because of some pictures a girl brought in during a photography class my first quarter of my advertising degree. It looked incredible and I made a mental note about it.

When I first started planning my trip, I had included Rijeka which is up in northern Croatia. After some research, I realised that it was just a transportation hub and nothing interesting would be found there. So I kept researching, thats when I found the ferry to Zadar. Perfect.

While I was doing some Croatian research, I managed to stumble upon a picture of the Krka Waterfalls. It was incredible! I do badly wanted to see it, even though it was an hour from Zadar. I became set on making sure I got to it.

So yesterday when I was hanging out in the hostel, I was researching car rentals and ended up being very much discouraged and disappointed finding out that all the cars were in manual transmission and of the few automatic ones they had, they were already reserved. So I looked for buses, taxis, anything! Finally I had to give up on my goal of seeing the falls.

As I was going through my Pinterest of the other places in Europe I wanted to see, I had forgotten about the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. Hmm... What about these?

But still, after some research, again disappointed.

----

So as I'm walking home, I see the excursion sign, and guess what it had on it?!
A picture of Krka Falls & Plitvice Lakes!

YESSSSSS!!!!!

It was one of the other, and I opted for Plitvice, which has way more to see, and I think is a lot prettier and outstanding than Krka. I got my ticket, reserved my spot for tomorrow and happily walked home on the phone with my mother telling her about my exciting news!

When I got back, I made a small supper and then jumped on the computer for a bit to talk to some friends and do some research. I noticed Coachella suddenly was selling advance tickets for next year... Say whaaaaa???!! I had really wanted to go next year, finally "do" coachella for the first time!

Not a few minutes after I saw it, my friends are messaging me telling me they got their tickets for weekend 1 and I needed to get mine! Ahhhh! Do I do it??! I click on the webpage.
"You are on the standby page"

Hmm... Well I guess I'll just wait and see.

I get a few more texts: have u gotten it yet??! Are u passed the standby page?!

... 45 minutes later, all of a sudden I get through. OMG! I GOT THROUGH!! (people are sitting at their computers waiting and waiting to get through like I just had - some not getting through)

Dahhhhhh! I gotta do it.
I freaked out, ecstatic I had gotten through and broke down and gotta ticket. SO EXCITED!! What a great day this is turning out to be! :)

After it had gotten a little darker, I threw on my scarf, grabbed my keys and camera and walked the couple blocks over to the Greeting to the Sun. It was very dark by this point, you could see all the stars in the sky, it was beautiful.

As I approached the Greeting to the Sun, all the LEDs were lit up and colourful, and flowing to what seemed like the sound the Sea Organ was making right next to it. It was really cool! I sat down on it and took a few pictures and enjoyed the view of the stars for about 15 minutes until a coach bus full of teenagers joined me. They were loud and excited, probably on a school trip, so I decided to head back to the hostel.

I quickly jumped in the shower, setting my alarm for early in the morning and now I'm about to catch some sleep before my big, big day tomorrow!

I have to be at the meeting spot at 7:40am, be gone all day, arriving back to Zadar around 4:30, pack up my stuff and then go hop on the ferry around 8 back to Ancona, then Saturday morning when I arrive in Ancona - train to Rome, then another train to Civitavecchia where I plan on sleeeeeeping until I get on my cruise on Sunday morning! Wahoo! :)

Night!!

Day 18: Homemade and happy!

May 16th, 2012 ---

I had woken up to the sunrise, exhausted from such a crappy couch sleep at 6:30am. At this rate, I'm counting down the days till I will be in a lovely hotel my dad booked me before my cruise, complete with a squishy mattress, reaaaaal comforter, lots of cushy pillows and some time to sleep in before having to be at the cruise ship around noon for boarding.

I slowly got up off the terribly uncomfortable couch, grabbed myself a tea and then took a gander outside on the balcony at a beautiful day and Croatian coast in sight!

I could see the small houses stacked on the hillside, mountains in the distance, and the sunrise gleaming off the water. Even though I was semi-grumpy and so tired, I was most definitely able to appreciate it.

I was off the giant ferry by 7:30, and off to my hostel about 3 blocks away. I'm walking in circles around two small alleyways - lost again! I don't see a single sign or anything that looks like a hostel. Ugh.. Here we go... Where the heck am I, now?

I whip out my phone (I love you, iPhone) and google the address. Apparently I'm here.
Well that's not right...
I click on the 'Get Directions' from 'Current Location' ... I was apparently 3 doors down. I slowly walk down the alleyway, look for anything. The address apparently #3.

When I get to #3, I see a little sign saying "Aparman" with a bed and two little stars... Must be it? There's a buzzer (apartment style) and one name saying "Kolega" - perfect! It's the Kolega Guesthouse I'm staying at.

I ring the buzzer and a man answers, I say I'm here for the hostel and he buzzes me in.

It's on the fourth floor.

How come I can never win against the stairs??! 6 floors in Paris, 4 floors in Cologne, 4 floors here... Common! Someone throw me a bone! ... Or an elevator, for that matter! Haha I swear my arms are going to be so toned after this trip if I don't eat any possible weight loss back in mounds of spaghetti!

The "hostel" is more of a three bedroom apartment, all rooms with locks on them, new modern kitchen and a computer to use with printer (awesome because I had to print my confirmation documents for my cruise.)

My room is nice, queen bed, small sofa, makeup table - its pretty big in comparison to everything ive been staying in. Nice change! The owner tells me that I'll have the place to myself till another guest arrives tomorrow. Sweet! Things are lookin up!

He leaves to go to work and I settle in, decide to get on the computer for a while and get my cruise stuff sorted and just be a bit lazy/ relax before I go explore.

Well, about an hour passes and as I'm about to figure out what to do with the day, it starts to completely downpour. Thunder, and all.

There goes that idea.

Too tired and losing motivation by the second.

As I sit talking with one of my friends in San Diego, who always has trouble sleeping and is up till the crack of dawn (yes, you. You know who you are lol) I began to have my first homesick meltdown.

It's raining, which always puts a damper on a good mood, I'm exhausted & crabby and as much as I love being independent and doing things by myself, I'm the type that loves being friendly along the way. I think that why I'm good at doing thins by myself - I always make conversations with cashiers, information people, anybody - who ever! And when you're in a continent where so few speak English, you kind of become a mute, which is such a downer when you're a very friendly and chatty person by nature. Thus leading to my sudden frustration and anger about all the unfriendly Europeans I've come across - especially the French, I finally get that whole stereotype now.

So after ranting for a few minutes, my friend told me that maybe I should just take the day to chill out, get some sleep and enjoy doing nothing since it was raining anyways. I agreed, I didn't feel like dealing with more rain anyways - cute rain jacket or not, it was coming down hard.

I spent the afternoon researching places I'd be going and relaxing about - taking the best feeling shower after such a long traveling day yesterday/last night/this morning.

Finally, I realized I hadn't eaten all day, it was around 6pm and I was starving. I knew there was a little cafe around the corner, I had passed it earlier, so I threw on my shoes and walked over. Thankfully, not in the rain since it had stopped by then.

The cafe had no food, just drinks. So I walked around, everywhere I managed to find only had drinks and pastries or pizza. I just wanted something healthy! Walking down the street, I notice a man with grocery bags.
YES!!! A grocery store!!!
I asked him for directions (yes, he understood/spoke some broken English - stoked!) and headed that way.

It wasn't too far, a few blocks. I was so happy I could cook an make something for myself tonight! I grabbed some fruit and veggies, a little prosciutto, some cheese, small thing of pasta noodles and then when I got to the bakery area I saw some flakey thiiiiingggg, looking like it had meat in it - maybe a meat pie or something? I couldn't read the sign, so I decided to just wing it and get it.

I walked out of the grocery store happy as a clam and walked home ready to make a good home cooked meal.

I made a small bowl of salad, tiny portion of pasta sprinkled with a bit of oil (so the noodles wouldn't stick) cut up a little prosciutto for the pasta, little Parmesan, and the heated up whatever that flakey thing was. Haha

I sat down and enjoyed my pasta and salad, leaving the unknown flakey business till last. I took a bite... Not a whole lot of flavor... Still not really sure... I take a few more bites... No idea what I'm eating but it's not meat that's for sure. I think it was some kind of fruit, some flakey apple-something pie? I still have no idea, but it wasn't all that fantastic so I ended up chucking the other half of it out, content with my little portion of pasta & salad. And my mood definitely was better after being able to do something I enjoy and making me feel at home.

I spent the rest of the night listening to music, reading, and now blogging about my day... And now I'm heading to bed! Really need some good solid sleep!

Good night, all! ... Or depending on what side of the world you're on, good afternoon! :)

Day 17: Boats & Trains (part 2)

May 15th, 2012 (continued) ---

Thankfully I didn't end up too far away. I stopped in Castel Franco about 25 minutes away!

I hopped off the train, and when I was at the top of the stairs looking for the main building/ ticket office, a man offered to help me with my bag down the stairs.
How kind of him!

He also helped me up the stairs on the other side. So nice! Finally someone that's a genuinely nice person around here!

We get to the top of the stairs and he asks me for money. Of course he wouldn't carry my bag for free, what was I thinking?! I had no change and I wasn't planning on giving him €5 so I apologized and told him I had nothing for him. He gave me a dirty look and walked away.

I think with every experience I have like this or with nut cases on trains - I appreciate living in North America more and more. By the end of this trip, I'm sure you'll find me stepping off the plane in California and on the floor, hugging the ground and grinning from ear-to-ear at everyone around me... Though I don't know if I'll get a smile back with the thought that I'm absolutely crazy. Haha whatever!

I zipped into the train station and ask them if I can get a train to Ancona or would I have to go back to Bologna.

Ancona, 12:09, platform 3.

"YES!! Excellent! Grazie! Grazie!!"
They laugh, and I head to platform 3.

This time I'm going to look at the information on the outside of the car. Haha
Lesson learned!

The train arrives, I jump on and nap for most of the three and a half hour journey.

When I arrive in Ancona, it sort of reminds me of the part of Huntington Beach with the big ugly industrial area and that other big nuclear plant off the 405 somewhere around inglewood by LAX. The city is pretty ugly and kind of trashy looking. I have about 6.5-7 hours till my ferry leaves for Zadar. So I start walking towards the port looking for a restaurant or cafe.

Nothing is open! I always forget pretty much everything in Italy closes for a few hours in the afternoon. But finally as I get closer to the port, a cute little cafe, called Cafe Rose (or something like that) is open, where I go in and get myself a glass of wine and sit and read a magazine for an hour and a half.

Following, I decide it would be a good idea to go check out the port and see what I need to do about getting my ticket sorted out since I had purchased it online and didn't have a hard copy. To this, they send me to the check in....
Where is it?
"The new port, take bus"
Ugh.. Okay..

I go out to the bus stop and sit for what must've been at least a solid 30minutes. I meet another girl from Santa Barbara who was super nice and laughed a bunch. She had just spent 5 months travelling alone through Australia and Asia, living in Bali for a while and was now on the last two weeks of her trip before heading back to California! She was now hoping to get to the train station to hopefully head to Florence.Very cool!
Finally, I decided- screw this bus! I'll just walk over there!
Well it turned out to be about a 20minute walk with ZERO directional signs, the bus passing me on the way of course, and in the most absurd location, a building hidden by a fishing/ import/export area and where all the big transport trucks are coming and going! So stupid! I stopped and asked directions about 8x or at least every time I saw anyoneeee on the street!

I get there, check in (which literally only takes about two freakin minutes!) and this time decide I will wait, actually, wait for the bus time. As I walk outside, who do I see?
The same California girl! She got off at the wrong stop and was waiting for a bus again too!

We laughed about how just as I left the bus had come, like I said it would and then she was telling me about how she was hoping to get a train to Florence tonight but didn't know what she'd do if she couldn't - then she, named Savannah by the way referenced Journey lyrics: "took the midnight train goin any whereeeee" and "just a small town girl.."
I laughed so hard! Finally someone in Europe with a sense of humor I can understand. The funnier part about it all is that she later messaged me on Facebook saying she actually did take a midnight train and it ended up in Rome. Haha! Funny girl!

Her bus came first and we wished each other well on our adventures. My bus came about 10 minutes after, promptly bringing me back to the terminal I was at originally, within about 2-3 minutes. Go figure. Ha!
It was about 7:30, my ferry was to start boarding at 8, so I sat in the waiting area and read my book.

I couldn't believe how large the ship was when I got on around 8:15. It was the size of a small cruise ship! Enormous! It had several levels, a "movie theatre" (movie theatre seating with 3 tvs, probably no larger than 35 inches? Haha), a large cafeteria, several bars, a disco dancing area and a duty free shop. It was great!

I bought one of the deck seats instead of a cabin ticket with a bed, it was way cheaper and I didn't care that much. I ended up getting my pic of several couches scattered around the top level of the boat. I picked one that was in a darker area and was right by the window for a great view!

Once settled in, I went down to the cafeteria for some spaghetti then headed back to my couch spot to continue to read my book then fall asleep listening to some mellow music.

I fell asleep pretty quickly, but I ended up realizing at some point in the middle of the night I had picked a couch under the air conditioner and was absolutely freezing. I ended up opening my suitcase grabbing two sweaters - one as a make-shift pillow, the other, as a blanket and then tossed and turned in-and-out of sleep till I noticed it was really bright out.

Day 17: Boats & Trains (Part 1)

May 15, 2012 ---

My train was leaving early this morning, so I had set my alarm for 6am giving me time to quickly dress, check out and take the half hour water bus ride back to the train station.

When on the train, I had the pleasure of being yelled at by another asshole. What is it with people yelling at me on trains in Italy? This one - I was ready to sock in the face or just cry, tears more likely between the two.

When I first sat on the train that was headed to Bologna for my transfer to Ancona, departing at 7:52am, it was completely empty. I didn't anticipate it to get all that busy because of how empty it was earlier. With absolutely no luggage area in sight, I brought my suit case with me to my seat, putting it under my legs, and with little room for my feet I put my feet up on the edge of the chair across from me, as well as resting my pink carry on there.

I was on the train for about 25 minutes, by the third stop the train began to have more people on it. I moved my suitcase as close to me as possible to give people room to sit down around me when this business man guy gets my attention. I take my head phones off, and he begins to yell at me to take my feet off the chair. "We sit! No feet!"
I apologised saying okay but I didn't know where to put my feet with my suitcase right there. As I was looking around, trying to figure it out he keeps yelling at me to my move suitcase.
I'm saying "okay! Okay!" as I continue to figure out how to move.
He's STILL yelling, trying to move my suitcase and saying "I have to work too, no feet! Move!"
Getting upset and frustrated, he's not giving me even a few seconds to figure out how to get out - him in the f***ing aisleway blocking me in anyways, I say: "I GET IT! Where can I put my suitcase?! Where can I put this???!" I wasn't trying to be smart or anything, I literally had NO idea where to put it!
He tells me he doesn't know, and that I should stand. Then he continues to yell "stand up and move!"
I just wanted to yell "I'm trying!!!!!!! F*** off, you mean, mean, grumpy man!!!!" Obviously I didn't, but as he continued to yell as I'm trying to get out of his way I look at him and I'm just like "PATIENCE!"
I take my luggage down the few steps to where the doors of the train open and find a little tiny corner that's sort of out of the way of the doors and rest it there and go back in my seat.

Go figure the a**hole gets off 2 stops and not 15 minutes later. Before getting off he says "Look for your bag." wtf? Why? Because it might get stolen? Kind of the whole effing reason I had it between my legs?! To prevent it from being stolen..! UGHH!!!

Rough morning. That whole situation literally almost brought me to tears. No one needs to be that mean when asking to sit down beside someone. You get a lot farther being nice/ polite to people.

I arrived in Bologna about 15minutes early, not realising it was Bologna I remained on the train until I noticed everyone else had left and quickly jumped off the train.

I wandered around for the hour I had to kill waiting in the waiting room. I noticed my train wasn't on the departure board at its scheduled time. Hmm...

I go up to the man at the desk and ask him where I could find my train. "Lecce, platform 9 - it stops in Ancona on the way."

Okay, perfect!

I had over to platform 9 and wait for the train. When it arrives at 11:15, I look for car 4 and hop on. I drag myself and my famous nuisance of a suitcase to a seat. As I get comfortable, the train begins to move.
It's 11:28.
My train shouldn't be leaving till 11:42...

Shit.

WHERE am I going??!
Ha! I knew this would happen at least once on this 7 week adventure. Hahaha

I'm currently sitting on this train, hoping the next stop comes quickly and I can either get back to Bologna quickly to catch another one to Ancona, or I can get one to Ancona from wherever I end up.

Now to sit, wait and see.

An empty San Marco Sqaure at 6:30am

Sunrise on Riva Delgi Schiavoni

Day 16: Oh, Venezia!

May 14th, 2012 ---

The constant travelling that is involved in this trip is beginning to catch up with me. I've been more and more tired in the mornings and this morning was no different.

I woke up around 11am to someone hacking up a lung in the hallway. It sounded so awful I almost went into the hall to see if the guy was alright. I got ready and headed out to go walk along the streets and canals.

I walked around for about an hour looking at all the Venetian decorative architecture, watching gondolas cruise by, admiring all the window displays along a street with Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Pucci, Prada and many other huge designer boutiques. Then I walked passed a little shop with sandwiches and wine!

I went in, grabbed myself a salami sandwich, small piece of Brie and a small bottle of Prosecco. I found a little corner spot on some quiet stairs leading into the canal and perched myself on the ledge. I took out my cup, popped the bottle, sitting in the sunshine watching gondolas pass by while enjoying my lunch.

It was such a great little spot! So enjoyable! It was nice to just sit and bask in the sunshine with my glass of wine while reading a book for a little bit. Those times are the nicest parts of the afternoon.

I continued to walk around the city for another few hours before heading back to my hotel early evening to sort out my tours on the cruise and my accommodations for my next trip to Croatia.

This morning I had purchase a ticket to a Vivaldi orchestral & opera performance for the evening at 8:30. So around 6, I put on my pretty little pale pink skirt and heels and off I went to the square!

The great thing about San Marco square is all the quarters playing classical music outside a few other restaurants. It adds so much to the culture and enjoyment of Venice. I found myself a small round table, ordered a glass of wine and a veggie plate and took out my book to kill some time.

When you order wine at this place, they bring you out a small silver platter. Your wine, some olive, chips and a few napkins all placed on it. After finishing my veggies & wine, i had left some of the chips in the dish and as I continued to read my book all of a sudden I had a group join me at my table. Not just any group, a possey of pigeons! They swarmed at the dish of chips. I think I have a slight fear of pigeons... They freak me out with their beady little eyes and dirty reputation. The man behind me is trying to help me shoo them away as I'm nervously keeping my distance from all their flapping wings, I nearly had a bird fly into me earlier today, I didn't want one ACTUALLy to fly into me now!

With the whole pigeon deal, I decided to move on somewhere else. I still had a solid 45 minutes to kill before the concert. I found another little cafe, a cute Italian boy persuaded me in. So I decided a small dessert would be in order.
As I was sitting enjoying my brownie, at the table to the right of me were a few Americans from Michigan who I chatted with for a few minutes before they headed out and then to the left of me, an older couple from Auckland, New Zealand who I also chatted with. Both couples very nice.
I love meeting new people! Its so fun to hear everyone's different stories.

At about 8:15, I walked over to the concert hall, which was a small old church next door. I found a seat on an aisle and enjoyed the orchestra and opera singers sing many classic songs for the 45 minutes the show lasted. It was also a very good show! Though the opera singers took turns singing songs so it became annoying to have to clap everytime they left the stage, then wait for the other to come out and then clap again when they came back on the stage. There was only two of them.
Sooooo... how bout you both just stay on the stage? No?

After the show I walked back to my hotel and crashed while listening to a man in the alleyway singing opera outside my window. Oh, Venice!

Tomorrow I set out on a train to Bologna, Bologna to Ancona and then a late night eight-hour ferry to Zadar, Croatia! A full day of traveling!

Venice Gypsy

Lunch by the Canal!

Balconies on the Venice Canals

Courtyard of the Picasso Museum

Gondolas!

Vivaldi Orchestra & Opera Singers in the old church

Bascilia de Santa Maria

San Marco Square

San Marco Sqaure after the Concert

Day 15: To Venice

May 13th, 2012 ---

I had made sure I set my alarm last night so I had enough time to pack! My stuff was everywhere! Haha so when my alarm went off I scurried around Anita's apartment, making sure I grabbed everything I needed before setting out for the train station.

It was wet, cold and windy on our way. I was relieved that I wasn't going to be missing some beautiful warm day in Milan.

When we arrived at the station, I had about 20 minutes before my train was departing or Venezia, the city on water!

The first time I had ever heard about Venice was in fifth grade. My favorite teacher, Ms.Wendling, had been teaching us about Vivaldi, classical music and carnival. I recall being so fascinated and excited by thought of a city all on water, taxis by gondolas and mask-wearing celebrations! It sounded like such a magical place! From the moment I had heard about it, I decided - at 10 years old, sometime in life I will go and see Venice! So naturally, while planning this epic Euro-trip, I made it a priority to get to Venice.

I said my goodbyes and thank you's to Anita and Bogdan, who had brought me to the train station, and hopped on what looked like an old, somewhat run down train.
Once inside, it was actually quite comfortable! Large spacious leather seats, leg room.. It was fantastic! I grabbed myself a window seat and got comfortable for the 2.5hr journey ahead.

About an hour into my train ride, the guy checking the tickets comes around. I take my headphones off and I hand him my ticket, with a smile. He looks at it, "Where you go?"
"Venice"
"Venezia"
"Yes." I say, with the smile still on my face... Even though he's not even looking at me.
"2nd class"
"huh?"
He points to my Eurail pass where it says '2nd Class'
"Yes..."
"This first class, you pay or change"
"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't realise!"
"Pay or change" He starts to check the girls ticket behind me.
"Well how much is it?"
"Pay or change car"
"Yeah, hoooow much???"
He begins to chuckle a bit, like he doesn't really know, and asks the girl behind me who is a passenger.. WTF?
"Pay or change, fifty. €50"
"€50?"
"Si. Fiiiiiftty euro" He's starting to get pissed off and so am I.
"okay, I'll just move"
"Pay or change"
"Yeah I get it. Where?"
He turns his back to me and checks another ticket and then starts to leave the car, "Pay or change!"
He STILL hasn't clarified where. As he starts walking away, I raise my voice, "EXCUSE ME! WHERE do I go?!!"
"2 cars" and points towards the back of the train.
"Thaaank you." The door of the car is closed by the time I even finish my 'thank you.'

Seriously, I'm really beginning to dislike people in Northern Italy. Geez, so bloody rude here. The amount of times I've been cut off, talked to rudely, been corrected, etc, its really starting to bother me - especially when I try to be so nice and SMILE!!! No one smiles at you here! Common people! It's okay to grin once in a while!!! Sheesh. Be effing friendly!!!!! Pshhh.

So I went two cars down, to 2nd class that smelt like typical European body odor. Nice. I find myself a nice little seat by the window and angrily take a sip of my water, take out my music and start continue working on my blog to calm down a bit.
Ugh. A**hole.

Anyways, moving on to another story within my train travel. After I had moved to the car I was to be in. I was blogging away, my luggage sitting in front of me at my legs, only blocking one seat. I was a bit uncomfortable leaving it in the baggage area of this train because of how old and kind of shady it seemed. I had been sitting with it for about an hour. When an Asian couple got on the train with a large suitcase, trying to figure out where to put it I offered to let them out it beside mine while they sat across the aisle way beside it. They appreciated it and I was officially blocked in by a bunch of suitcases! I didn't mind though, I wasn't going anywhere.

A few stops later, this older French family get on the train and practically have a fit trying to find seats in this car. I understand, the train was getting pretty full but they ended up making the Asians move there bag between there legs, which I felt bag for them - it looked super cramped and uncomfortable and then after throwing another fit they made me move my luggage into the baggage area even though I had explained to them that I previously didn't see any room for my suitcase. They argued that there was lots of room! Common, it was a full train! Lots of people had luggage on here and I can luggage stacked!
They kept pointing to the suitcase and giving me dirty looks, wanting to have one of their family members sit in the spot that was blocking my suitcase. I mean i felt bad, but this is a HUGE train. Do you all have to sit RIGHT beside each other?!
Okay maybe I'm overreacting and being a brat. Finally I gave in and move my suitcase. One of the family members is walking infront of me. An older gentleman. I thought he was being nice enough to perhaps help me with the bag that his whole family was giving me a hard time about.... Instead, he doesn't even hold the door open for me. It slams in my face. A Nun sitting beside the door grabbed the door for me and opened it with a sympathetic smile on her face. I smiled back, with some what of an exasperated look on my face and thanked her.

I went back to my seat, sat down and put my headphones back on. The seat across from where my suitcase had been?
Empty.

You have GOT to be kidding me. Seriously?! Is this real life right now?
You put up a fit and then no one in your borderline rude family ends up even sitting there? Agghhh! I'm at the point where I just want to give THEM dirty looks.
.... Okay well, no, I'm not one to give dirty looks. Not my style. But I sit quietly frustrated and listen to my music, again just chilling out.

Finally, 15-20 minutes later, the older man from the French family - the one that had not held the door open for me, is walking down the aisle and the elderly woman beside me signals him to sit in the empty seat.
Great.
Now I have to sit face-to-face with this grumpy old man that let the door slam shut on me.

He gets comfortable for a few minutes then decides to stand up and take off his jacket. As he takes off his jacket and reaches in the pocket to grab something, his coat is literally draped on my leg.
Sure, go ahead - use my leg as your table. No big deal.
UGH.
I say nothing. Just steaming with frustration and constant rudeness from everybody today.
Deep breaths, Jessica. Deep breaths.
Whatever.

I turn my music up, drowning out the volume of my anger and sit, continuing to write and move on.

Today will be a good day. Today wiiiilllll be a good day. Heck! Today is going to be a great day! Power of positive thinking.
Woo-sahhhhh!
Hahaha

The rest of the train ride to Venice goes smoothly and I was relieved to be unbothered by the French family again. I sat listening to my music and writing for the remainder of the trip. When we were nearing the station, I was amazed to notice we were crossing an enormously long bridge and arriving at the station. I was ecstatic!

Arriving, I grabbed my bag and got in line to get off the train. Of course the French family had been infront of me, so when we approached the door, AGAIN the man lets the door just slam shut on me as I'm struggling to roll my suitcase down the aisle way/ through the door.
Happy. Calm. Happy. Calm. Happy. Calm.
Sighhh. Whatever, I'm in Venice now.

I had no idea how I was getting from the train station all the way to my hotel in San Marcos square, so I figured by just walking out of the train station and looking around, I'm sure I'd figure it out.
Looking out, I noticed something saying "Water bus."
Perfect!

I get in line for a ticket. Once my ticket had been purchased, I remember I have to get my ticket to Ancona for my Tuesday departure. I quickly run inside to reserve my seat for that and then hop on the water bus to San Marco.

While on the boat, I passed some enormous cruise ships, beautifully architected buildings and couldn't help but notice how dirty and cloudy the water was. A beautiful turquoise blue-green but clouded by years and years of pollution. Kind of sad actually.

As we got closer to San Marco, we were suddenly got up in a ton of boat traffic. Boats EVERYWHERE! People honking, helicopters (yes, plural) flying above, such a commotion. What is going on?!

WELL! Turns out I had front row seats to the world sailing race, America's Cup! There were 4 or 5 boats catamarans sailing around at high speed, one almost hitting us. The Italian one had a large Prada logo, the American, Oracle, and another, Fly Emirates among several others. It was so neat! Each catamaran had there own team motor boat close by and they were cruising very quickly all around the harbor. Once arriving at the platform and I watched for a few minutes until deciding to go find my hotel.

As I walked through San Marco square, the area was BEAUTIFUL! The church on one side, a watch tower and long, long decorated buildings forming the square. It took me approximately 20 minutes to find my hotel, stopping here and there to take pictures and lugging my suitcase up stairs and across bridges, over canals. But once I arrived at the Hotel Cavalletto, I checked in and was taken to my small room with twin bed, that overlooked a small alleyway with theatre: Teatro de Gallo. It was the perfect little spot for my two nights in Venice and right beside San Marco square.

I dropped my stuff off in my room then quickly head out to go explore. As I walked by the main desk, I notice they had a board with postings for operas, orchestras and museums.

I had hoped to see an opera at La Scala in Milan but the tickets were completely sold out, so I thought I would give it another shot here. When I asked the very kind concierge, Stefano, he explained that the big theatre here sells out three years in advance!!! Holy moly! So he gave me a run down on the different operas at smaller places, where I found La Traviata! Stefano was surprised i knew what La Traviata even was, "You know La Traviata?!" "Yes, my grandmother loves opera" He gives me a surprised look, "wow! Good girl!"
Stefano said it was quite a beautiful place, serving a complimentary glass of Prosecco during intermission. PERFECT!

I bought my ticket and headed out to walk the streets for a few hours before the show began. I stopped in the Museo Della Musica to look around at some old instruments and read about the history of Vivaldi. It was a small cute little museum, located in a church showing different types of harps, violins, violas, and other string instruments. Also, with a room showing the building process of a violin. It was quite neat!

After the museum, I still had about an hour and a half to kill, so I found a restaurant in hopes of sitting and having a glass of wine. It was a bit chilly out, so I found a small table by the window inside and waited for a server. 5 minutes go by... 10 minutes... 15 minutes, I look at the bartender, thinking maybe I was to go up to him to order, I ask if a server comes here or not to which he informs me a server will come. 20 minutes... 25 minutes.
By this point, I'm grumpy and completely over the lack of service so I find myself another little cafe across the piazza and have a glass of prosecco before heading to the opera.

When I arrived at the building of the opera, I went over a small canal bridge, down a tiny alley way and into an itty bitty courtyard. I made a right through another doorway, up a staircase and found myself with a group of people handing my ticket to a woman in a large hallway. The hallway was full of lit candles, featuring rows of seating, a piano, fainting chair, and a table with a few champagne glasses and bottle. I took a seat by one of the walls where there were only three seats (most people there came in two's, so I thought I would sit where I wouldn't create an odd seat out.)

A few minutes a young girl, looking to be about my age, asked of the seat next to me was free. She spoke perfect english.
Okay, where ya from?
We get to chatting and it turned out she was from Thunder Bay, Ontario! Ha! What a coincidence that I end up sitting next to someone from the same province and I can actually have a relatable English conversation! Wahoo!

The opera began with a quartet of orchestra players until the tenor of the opera came out, waltzed around the room and began to sing. Then shortly after, the soprano came out and they both began a magnificent performance of La Traviata, a famous opera!

Now, throwing a reference to the movie Pretty Woman, when one first sees an opera one will either love opera and always love it or they will just never find a way to appreciate it. Well, like Julia Roberts says in the movie: "it was so good, I almost peed my pants!"

It was fantastic! Magical, even! This was the first opera I had ever seen and I was completely in love. The singers completely interacted with the audience, as if they were apart of the scenes. After Act 1, we were given our complimentary glass of Prosecco and then moved into another room of the "Palace." All three acts were in different rooms for each scene, it was very fun!

Following the opera, Claudine (the other Canadian girl) and I decided to grab a night cap at a nearby restaurant. We talked about our adventures and then head off in our separate directions.

During the opera, my phone had died - I had had no way to let my parents know that I was out late. By the time I plug in my phones and Skype with them to say "happy mothers day" to my mom, they were freaking out! Calling the hotel, hearing I hadn't checked in for some reason, messaging my Anita to see if she knew my itinerary for Venice... I felt bad, I should've emailed before my phone died! Oops!
"it's okay!!! I'm aliveeeeee!! 'Shes aliiiiivee, ahhh!" haha
I skyped with them for a few minutes, then went off to sleep completely exhausted from another long day!

Going across the bridge to Venice, Cruise Ships in sight!

Almost getting hit by one of the boats in America's Cup

America's Cup

Venice Canals & Gondolas

San Marcos Square

Museo de Musica Violin Crafting room

The Hall of the Opera