After 9 months of intensive travel, moving every 3-4 days, Hannah and I elected to treat ourselves with a cruise. Exhausted, we boarded the ship ready for a more permanent home where all our needs would be met for 16 days as we made our way from Rome to Dubai. Sunrise shone on the smoking … Continue reading Sicily, Italy: The Italian Isle
We arrived in Naples in the evening around 7. We exited the train station and made our way to Pizzeria de Michele, a cheap and renowned pizzeria. On the way, it was immediately apparent that the city had an earthy, gritty atmosphere. Homeless people dotted the streets, laying on twisted mattresses and stained cardboard boxes, … Continue reading Naples, Italy
It is difficult to even put into words how wonderful an experience that we had in Fiumefreddo Bruzio. We stayed with family of Hannah’s cousin, Claire. Denise and her daughter Monica made us feel very comfortable and relaxed the entire stay. Their hospitality and generosity were some of the best I have ever experienced. Denise’s … Continue reading Fiumefreddo Bruzio, Italy
At one point, a tow truck with a small excavator had to squeeze by the bus in the opposite direction. We got as close to the guardrail as possible. I was sitting on the window side and looked down to hardly see any road, only craggy cliff face and lemon trees below. Suddenly, Hannah started laughing. The drivers had high-fived out of their windows as they passed each other, with mere inches to spare! Nevertheless, it was a good experience.
Day 3/Palm Sunday I woke up sicker than the prior day but wanted to at least leave the Airbnb for a bit. We decided to walk down to Vatican City to meet Hannah’s cousin Claire at Palm Sunday Mass in Vatican Square. The square was not as packed as I had expected. There were 2 … Continue reading Rome, Italy: Part 2
Outside Vatican square, we passed a large fortress and castle. Beside it, the rounded arches of 3 separate bridges skipped across the murky, opaque green of the river running beneath them. The bridge held a gaggle of merchants selling wares and beggars seeking charity, just as they would have in centuries past.
It was directly reminiscent of the Muslim 3PM call to prayer that we experienced in Skopje, Macedonia. This time, white clothed nuns in hair covered habits made their way through the maze of churches, just as the Muslim women in their flowing black draping traversed the Bazaar. This reflection made me draw pause, perhaps we aren’t as different as we have been led to believe.
Hannah and I booked a flight to Milan from Bucharest because the price was excellent and it dropped us into northern Italy in time to explore a bit before making our way south for Easter with her cousin Claire and her family. Little did we know, accommodation in Milan would be a nightmare. The average … Continue reading Milan, Italy
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