It was off to a difficult beginning when we had to change trains because of a fatality. We were having the worst luck with trains. Last time it was due to a mudslide that we had to switch trains. Apparently, communication was key because half the group heard the wrong stop. We had no choice but to continue to our hostel and hope that the other group knew how to get to our hostel in Italy. Thankfully the other half of the group arrived a half hour later. Our hostel was great but seemed to be infested with mosquito's. I was lucky enough to not be eaten to death but majority of our group was not so lucky. My room fitted three people comfortably and I was able to get to know two incredible women. Alex and Katie made the experience in our room, fun and interesting.
A group of us was able to find a hole in the wall place to eat. The food was absolutely amazing and delicious. I had angel hair pasta with coca cola, and of course; bread. Bread, Pasta, and Pizza were definitely the key to an Italian's heart. Also, there was not an option for one course, or two courses, but three courses. Mangia! Mangia! A family friend used to say these words all the time. Mangia meant "Eat" and this is exactly what Italians love to do. I was told that Jersey Shore's rendition of the Italian family of the character "Vinny" is key when exploring how there are many courses, as well as breaks in between. Italians and myself are a lot alike when exploring food. We love to eat and we love our family.
The next day was a cloudy and rainy beginning but later it cleared up. The free day had turned into a shopping day for the majority of us girls, while the boys suffered. I found some great buys and lovely gifts for my family. It was really fun to bargain my way out of prices and cut it down to a suitable deal. I learned that vendors rather cut down the price than lose money entirely. They do not know if they will get someone else to buy the particular item and so they will bargain if all else fails. I had learned that while on my trip that my foot that was hurt on the previous day was getting worse. Back when transferring trains from Switzerland to Italy, I had twisted my foot to the side. Instead of relaxing my foot, I continued to walk on it and did not want to miss out. Well, this day of shopping killed my foot, and it started to get a little swollen. Finally, when I got to the hostel I took a painful shower because of all the blisters from walking. I had worn a new pair of shoes and learned quickly it was not smart to break them in on a day of straight walking. I had to buy earlier that day a pair of cheap, grandma looking shoes. A pair of comfortable, navy blue, but ugly shoes. They did help my blisters from getting worse and so I refused to care about the fashion aspect of it. I was bleeding on the heels of my feet and I couldn't complain after buying these shoes. Anyway when I went back to the hostel, I collapsed on the bed and fell asleep after my shower.
The last day to explore in Italy, and so I went to Murano. It was a cute little island and they made the famous "Murano glass." Of course, I was ripped off because I bought some from the actual place that I saw make it. Unfortunately for some people in our group, they missed the glass making demonstration. Although, I was able to capture the demonstration on film, but they were very rude in the shop. I was behind the counter looking to buy a ring and a lady literally shewed me from behind the counter. Well, I found some other great finds of the Murano glass for cheap from some vendors. I continued to shop this day but my ankle started to hurt again really bad but one of the girls wanted to continue shopping. We have to stick as a group and I did not know how to get back. I had to wait with her because it is so easy to get lost in Venice. It is small city, but there are so many corners and alleys. My foot was definitely swollen the next day and that's when we had to head to Nice, France.
What happens when a student journalist swaps time zones and writes about a walk in her shoes? Well, I guess you will have to take a trip with me to find out. Come & explore my adventures as I write, capture, and explore five countries. Travel with me too France, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, and England. Get your passports ready!