Summer Fun Part 1, More Rome, Pisa, Cinque Terre - June 2011

June,

Ciao, so close to going home for break, but not yet.  In June I lived it up in the sun! Yes beaches and bikinis. Went to a few local beaches near Rome - Ostia and Neptuno. Of course I had to get another trip in, I did a  girls trip with a few of my favs in Italy to Cinque Terre, Italy.  So I am so in love with place, it peaceful and its more of a towny feeling then island like Capri.  Its translated to mean 5 towns.  I had a picture of one of the towns at the screen saver on my work computer so this was definitely a lot of internal satisfaction for me being able to go. I was happy to have friends along for the ride. So the 5 towns are Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia and Riomaggiore (where we stayed).  Its along the Italian Riviera north of Florence closer to Genova.  Its all calm towns with less tourist than other towns, but very tranquil.  

Monterosso ( is the 5th town or the furthest one north) its more touristy than the others.  This where we went swimming and the beach was amazing but very crowded.  Best bet is to stay at a hotel here that have assingned blocked of spots on the beach so that you can get a chair.  We had lunch on the beach everything was really good.  Like any place near the water I always get the seafood.

Vernazza very pretty town a must see, beach not as nice as Monterosso but the water on the rocks were perfect.  The town buildings are really nice and colorful.

Manarola Can not go to Cinque Terre without going here. This is were all the amazing pictures of this island are taken.
Corniglia a distant hill town.  Seemed very seculded, if you had to miss any this would be the one.

Riomaggiore, makes you feel like you are on a shooting in hollywood for an Italian city.  It what you expect to see when you land when you come of the plan.  Small restaurants and markets, beautiful views. We had ahmazing dinner at place along the water.

When you are in Cinque Terre make sure you get Anchovies (it must be their favorite there) and fresh Pesto. Its known for a perfect Nature hike.  I didn't do it this time but will go back and try to walk along the towns instead of taking the train.  Its 7 miles total walk and said to be done in 4 hours. Would like to go back with a lover, there are images of people kissing all over. There is Via dell' Amore, where couples place a lock on a gate to seal their love (awwwwwww).  I think this is a cute idea (hint hint wink wink)

It was an ahhhmazing place to be, so much landscape and the  towns were so close but each with their own identity and history.

From here we decided to visit Pisa.  Yes Yes the Leaning Tower.  However, we found out that there was a lot more than just that there.  lol This was the weekend of Father's Day so I called my Dad told him that I was ok and that I was having dinner looking at the Leaning Tower and that I should have been on my way home but we realized after we got off the train that was the last train to Rome that night.  OMGGGGG!

After evaluating several options and meeting all types of random Pisans we (looking like tourist, with backpacks and cameras) stayed around Pisa instead of finding a hotel for the earliest train, chillen at whatever place was open until this random night train that came through at like 3am arrived.  Yes we didn't know we were in for a trip of a life time.  We ran into a group of men with ponytails, prostitutes, and some pimps.  The only thing in Pisa is the Leaning Tower then please make your way back on the train.  We started drinking with our new friends in the city as they walked us around the town. Pisa is very small port town with not much there, however there were a lot of young people hanging out late on this Sunday night.  We made it out alive and back to Rome, however the train was the scariest sight I have seen in all my time in Europe and even scarier than being in NYC alone at 4 am. Unsafe, dirty, people laying everywhere because they either hopped on or they knew this was the cheap train to Naples.

So whats so great about the Tower is that its 200 feet tall, recently reopened for you to walk to the top. It is made of limestone and brick and hollow in the center.  The first stones were laid in 1173, the heavy stones are located on unstable soil. Its 294 stairs and only 40 people are allowed at the top at once.


Here are some pictures:

School graduation. I was just attending but it was nice to see friend graduate and see the ceremony in Rome.

 Vineyard near Rome

 Stuffed Mussels a town Fav in Cinque Terre

 Statzione Manarola - Cinque Terre

 

Off to see the Queen! London, UK is where I spent Most of May

May,

Right after my friend left I had very little time in Rome to prepare for the rest of the month in London.  This was my 2nd visit to London.  I was there back in 2006, visiting Europe for the first time. I loved it there then, but I thought because I have not seen other parts of Europe yet. After this 2nd visit I know the love is true. lol. So what do I love about London. 
Love its diversity
English speaking (helps)
Feeling like I belong there immediately
Just like being in NYC without being in NYC
Not too far from home in case I wanted to visit my family
Easy to get around with the Tube(train) and knowledgeable Taxis (Note: Black Cabs are the best, divers actually go to school to become taxi drivers and they have to know all major locations and streets within the City of London.)
Great Art museums (mostly free)
Good city life (just can't get that anywhere)
And food from everywhere, literally!! 

I was actually in London for business.  I was accepted into this Finance seminar through my school and the tuition included my housing, (I stayed near Holborne close to LSE campus)  and some business related events.  While I was there I tried to hook up with an old friend that I met when I was there in 2006 but we didn't meet, schedule was super tight. And a Soror of mine from DC was attending school at London School of Economics, I got a chance to hang out with her and her friends one night. Had a blast. The rest of the time I was being a tourist. Doing a lot of things I didn't do back in 06'

Here are some of the pics:

Got to get on the hop on hop off bus, London is a big city.  Behind me you can see the Parliament building.

 My Fro Don't like the humidity at ALL!! took a cruise tour along the Thames River, and good ole London Bridge behind me. And no its not falling down. lol

 Stonehedge one of the Wonders of the world.  It was great to go up to visit this area about an hour outside of London further East. Very rural country area outside of London, it was a nice drive.

 Borough Market (bought some amazing cheese, wine, and had great fiSH and chip)

 Borough Market, one of my favorite places in London is this open market that has famous food from everywhere. 

 Yes in club! In UK the crowd was so diverse.  There was a large amount of Indian young crowd in the club and even with NYC being diverse for some reason I never see a large crowd of Indian men or women in the bars or clubs.

 The Ladies in UK

 My classmate and I at the Tower of London tour, its a must see if you visit and worth the tour.  This where the crown jewels are held.

 Yes the famous Booth!

Another Visitor! End of April - May 2011

End of April - Beginning of May,

Loved all the all this month. Beginning around friends who you know can experience what you are going through while abroad is great.  Does more than what I can write on a blog or postcard to my friends and family because they get to experience it themselves.  Randomly, one of my long lost (lol) bffs contacted me and said she is coming to Italy and then second email was her confirmation.  I have not spoken or seen her in over a year at this point since she lives in ATL.  It was great to reconnect but definitely even better to have her here in from for her BIRTHDAY!!

Sharday my love, was a great guest and took in every minute of Italy.  We did as much as we could immediately.  First things first it was time to go out and let everyone know we were ready to party.  Especially because I just finished my finals, everyone was ready to have fun.  I realize here in Italy I do a lot more hanging a friends houses whether its just to eat, drink, and sometimes we are suppose to go out but we don't make it.  We enjoy a little Aperativo, and Vino and have our own fun. My friend was able to witness it,  and all my friends in Italy loved having her over.

Later, we toured a little bit a Rome before, skipping town to Reggio Calabria.  Its literally the 'toe' part of the boot of Italy.  The town was very much a small city, not like Rome at all.  Since it was just the beginning of May it was not hot enough for the beach but you can tell it was a beach town.  The way the city was set up, it reminded me of Miami.  It has that South Beach strip vibe.  We went down to visit my friend who came to visit me for Easter.  It was a good trip because I was able to compare the difference being so far south.  Literally I can see Sicily from his apartment terrace, which was just a ferry ride away into Messina.  Since he was on the basketball team we went to his game and ate with players. It was a good relaxing weekend.  The town was small not much to do but go to the bars and attend whatever party that was schedule for the weekend.  At the basketball game you can see how different each local town was, the poverty here was very evident.  People in NYC think they live in the hood this definitely take the cake.  There was barely streets at night in this area. This was an away game, so the town gym that played against was horrible location seemed very run down. During the game, since my friend and I, were the only 2 black people in the stands you can feel people around us starring trying to figure out why were here. lol.  Meanwhile, my friend is tell us, as the team warm up for the game that Sharday and I have fans.  O Italian men, can be so predictable sometimes.

They ended up winning the game and we celebrated, this means they were going into the championship. (Which they ended up winning btw, and my friend was MVP)  Anywho, we went to this party further out of town.  It was Jamal and his teammate, Sharday and me.  We had fun in this sweat box in this college town. And the men loved Sharday!! lol Please see pics below for further details.

Sharday first night in Rome, already in the club with me. 

 What we didn't expect on our way to my apartment at 5am were the Crusaders.  Yes, like a group of the real ones.  It just so happened to be Pope John Paul II holy week when she came into town.  Great! As they prepare the streets of Vatican city for bringing former Pope John Paul II aka JP2 into sainthood. Millions of his biggest fans and followers flood the street.  Wait does that mean for us at 5 a.m. is that WE can't get home.

 All the Die - hard Catholics out again

 The damn Police had us out until 7am  and we still had to sneak pass with some African Brothers who were working in order to get across the street into my building.

After a 7 hour train ride (cheap train) we arrive in Reggio Calabria

 Jamal and the boys!

 Sharday on our double bike.  It took us like 2 hours to get our id's back from the guys who rented to us. No one speaks English, the further south you go.  lol.  We had to use my little Italian and Sharday's little Spanish, b/c one guy spoke both to realize they were hitting on the whole time. lol