Holy Holy Holy how is this real
Kit goes to the Vatican
Rome is huge, there is life everywhere.
Since today is a holy day of sorts, let's start with a confession. I am a tourist. Much of me stumbling around Europe has been in the good graces of Rick Steve's Italy book, google maps, and trip advisor. Today however, my love and adoration goes out to a man named Mario. Being the concierge for the fine hotel we were staying in, he managed to find me a ticket to the Vatican on the same day pre Holy week in the Holiest of places. I therefore was able to jump in to my next jump culture shock head over feet and avoid the two hour line wrapping the gates.
The walk over of course proved yet again worth it. Even with a seagull guarding the gates, this castle was a nice prelude to my trip to holy land.
But seeing how I am in Italy, first Gelato before Art-ing
Then we get holy engulfed in art
Raphael's little real estate in the Vatican was just the pre cursor to the Sistine Chapel. Although there was no photos allowed, after about a half hour of just starring straight up, it was a sight myself and my neck will never forget.
To skip even more lines, the true slippery tourist, I snuck in with the "group only" exit and the Me Myself and I tour group marched directly into St. Peter's Basilica.
Even though the crowds were massive, it was easy to feel somehow alone standing here.
Not to worry, there were crowds outside too
I promise I paused longer then it took to snap these shots. I did most of my processing on the 2.5 mile walk back because I do like to walk, even if my knee's are crying, the cobblestones can handle the water works just fine I guess.
The walking pays off
I found a bridge, I found a Vista, I am finding myself the longer I get a chance to see life as part on a bigger event happening across a world I have only seen in books and dreams.
Wake me up before you go go
Hop, skip, and a jump
ROME
Woke up for a 6:00 flight over to CIA airport in Rome, which is about the size of the McDonalds in Orlando's I-Drive. Now of course, I read about transportation, I googled mapped it, took pictures, did all the things I promise you but there is nothing like a quite like trying to figure out public transport with a language gap and no caffeine. How this translates? Kit got on a bus to a train station, thus derailing the google map plan (pun intended), and kicked into gear Kit's survival skills. Finding the train station, check. Getting to the right platform, check. Fitting into a tiny tube with 6000 strangers and a full backpack, such a delightful check.
So my first impression of Rome, love what I've nick named Puffy Pine trees, not in love with public transportation. Also, what every guide book will tell you about Rome being dangerous for belongings? Very true. Stepping off the train felt a little like stepping into a hunting ground and Kit with a large pack and a map had to be at least 12pts to the happy hunters of the Termini Station.
At this point I firmly believe that Google, bitter that I did not use her directions to the Termini Station, decided to pay me back in kind with phony bus directions. Or much more likely the case, I took the right bus going the wrong way. Long story short, I got to the hotel about an hour later with a couple of kilometers of practice hiking under my belt.
This first day was more for the experience less for the pictures. However after meeting up with my best mate Sammi, we did do the needed exploring to redeem the sense of adventure. We found ourselves eating the best meal of my life at Bernini Ristorante with server Toni, on the cobble stones of the Piazza Navona.
But wait there's more
To top it all off, while Sammi is running a conference, we are also staying at the "Aldrovandi Villa Borghese" which roughly translates to the "hotel of Kit's dreams".
So here I will leave day one Rome on a happy note and promise that the rest of Rome comes in a more visual bundle
Bye Buda Bye Pest Bye Kit's feet
10 + Miles, One Day, GO!
So this day was so full of walking, hopping Metro's, and navigating language barriers, that we are gonna tell the story in the language of thousand word photo style.
Fisherman's Bastion
Growing up on Disney, it still baffles me that castles can be real things and this was just pretty garnishing to the Matthias Church. I climbed on all the nooks I could fit into.
Exhibit A
The Bastion View
I'm the King of this Castle. I'll take a paper crown, just let me stay here please.
Ok so down the river, on a tram, off a tram, and over the way God decided to apologize for trying to kill me yesterday with the weather with this little backdrop
Now let's get up close and personal to that big building that has been hogging up all the skyline
Parliament
Still closed from all the countries festivities, probably better off that way cause Kit DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME
Metro over to the Opera, grab a ballet ticket, Metro up to...
Hero's Square
Included in this package
A Castle!
Down a Metro, over a tram, and into the rabbit hole of market life complete with actual cooked rabbits (probably) more so duck and Goulash which both are actually worth the try.
Central Market Budapest
Hungarian official spice, Paprika. As my tour guide confirmed, "We spice everything with Paprika and salt, lots of both". My kind of people.
My night then finished out with a trip to the Opera house to see a ballet. Which was one of the most beautiful things I've seen, until about the second act, when a member of the audience cried out in agony in what I later came to decide was probably a heart attack. To be honest, it was probably the most scared I've been in a long time. Being in a foreign country with the current state of affairs and hearing screaming followed by people running out of the theater, very hard to discern what is actually a threat or just tragedy. The ballet however was not phased in the slightest and continued to perform without even a glance in the direction of the body being carried out. Maybe they are accustom to their art having such a powerful effect, hard to say.
So let's end on a happy note, cause I did actually despite the fear.
These feet
These feet got me across a new country and a city that I wish I could of glued myself down onto.
Next up, 4 am wake up call ! And preview for Italy, sardines! No, not the kind you eat...
It's a three shot kinda day
JO REGGELT!
It's almost 10 am here to my internal 5 am and espresso is the name of the game today.
To a great deal of the folks back home, I promised a food blog and there's no time like the present when your hotel feeds you.
They had a bit of everything, from fruit to liver paste (I'll get more adventurous I swear)
Important: Cheese yes wow always
Meats: Salami is surprisingly the least threatening of the deli, such a turn of events
Desserts: Light and not over sweetened. One for moment and three for the road.
The two espresso's shown above, one is happily featured on my desk now as I write this and convince myself to suck it up and get out of bed! Time change is a struggle haha!
Finally up and at it for a rainy 38 degree day
Although I had my camera for the three hour tour, yes a three hour tour in the rain Gilligan, these photos were from my iphone and I'll add some of the professional shots when I get time
So I found a free walking tour by HostelCulture lead by a cool guy named Andris who was finding a use for his master's degree in Hungarian history. Our massive group, four people including the guide, we braved the freezing for some stunning views and fun stories.
My favorite part of the day seems to be the wandering though
Oh I forgot to mention, that today was a big day in History for Budapest Revolution, so Eddie Izzard here's your flags.
Once back to the hotel with a life saving hot shower, I ventured back out for some food and stumbled into some unusual places.
My favorite a private square where this picture does no justice
And two, a organ concert in none other then St. Stephen's Basilica
No words can describe how amazing it was. No words can describe how tired I am.
TripKit
Let's go to Europe!
Starting out
Pack weight: 35lbs
Kit weight: 145lbs
Location Location Location?
Budapest Italy France
Since fine european wine is sadly off this trip's agenda, it is my intention to eat my way through this tri-country trip. Despite my ambitious caloric agenda, I offer up my starting poundage with every hope that I'll still weight over 100 lbs when I get home. My pedometer has accepted the challenge.
Night flight and sleeping pill, what a cocktail for Kit. I sat window side with a free middle seat (hello Kit's leg room) and a lovely American lady to my right that promised to kick me if I slept through the landing. Such the friendly neighbor. In short, the usual turbulence, the unusual included staircase, and the much needed drool stains. Keeping it classy America.
Osprey 46 Kestrel fit overhead like a champ, however, many a comment on how I managed to bring it on. I don't think people are acquainted with the size of their own rolling luggage, or perhaps spacial awareness en general. No Matter! I made it barely to my second flight and two hours later, happily in Budapest, sipping coffee and googling the Metro system.
Time for another photo to keep you engaged
Bus, Metro, and a lot of walking later, I had checked in successfully to Hotel Carlton. My lobby attendant speaks English and seemed genuinely surprised that I am genuinely excited to be here. First impressions are always a fun merry go round. The fun stops when Kit forgets how to read signage and can't find the room. But then again, we all know my awkward red face, Europe deserves the change to meet it too, no?
First major impression for the day
The bridge that connects Buda and Pest actually made me choke back some feelings. It was that first real, woah, Kit is not in Disney anymore moment that I've needed for a long time. Later crossing back, I stopped to watch very stubborn seagulls fly up and float down in great quantities and alarming nautical knots for hollow boned creatures. Many a stranger now also knows my awkward laugh. 2 for 2!
I wandered! Half lost and hungry, half excited and google map seared into my working memory, all the way out to a street market that was called the Karavan. A little space between building with a gravel lot and food trucks. This Paneer cheeseburger. This Paneer cheeseburger.....
Happy.
When in doubt, follow the sun set home. Traced my sets back but not without picking up an extra treat.
So naturally, I also found some Ramen to compare. One glass mug, water heater, 30 seconds, and pink spoon (thanks mom) later, I've got to say their ramen manages to be a tad saltier but just as satisfying to this soup-blooded creature.
Close out the day.
It's been a crazy 24 hours. I make no promises on what the rest will bring. If it's anything like today, I'll be lucky if I weigh as much as my bag coming home. But I will be one happy Kit, that I believe.