LOVE ROMA!

I took the first commuter train out to Naples the next morning and was in Rome by about 9am. I had two places booked because the hostel wasn't very clear on whether they had me confirmed or not..so I booked a room at a convent for backup! Yes..a convent! haha..I tell ya..these Italian men would send any gal into a convent! But my hostel worked out fine and so I ended up staying here at Casa Omaltas!! I swear these places do not believe in elevators!! I dropped off my stuff and explored Rome!! I LOVE Rome!! So much to see and places to go..on my first day here I went to the Colosseum...Roman Forum..Patheon...Trevi Fountain where I made all my wishes and the ones that some of u guys asked me to make..and the Spanish Steps..on my second day..I went to Vatican City. I went there early because this gal at the hostel said it was the best early so I took her advice. Got there at 730am or so and she was right!! Barely anyone was there..the sun was coming up..it was nice!! Mass was taking place inside St. Peters in english..so that was nice to see too. I am not a religious person but I also cant help but be moved by these services that I am seeing in these old churches. I climbed up the dome to see the view and see Michelagelos last work (the dome). Here's a funny story..this man was in front of me as were approaching the dome and he says to me..do u know where you're going? And i said..yeah up the dome...and he says no..but do u know what you're getting yourself into? And I asked what do u mean? And then he said..lots of steps..bet you didn't know that..then he chuckled and said..goodluck! And I am thinking..did he just?? Oh no he didn't! He was in no position (physically) to imply that the steps were going to b a challenge for me...if that was what he was doing..anyway..i ignored him...he went up the stairs..i took pics before heading up..I made my way up..past him =)...and got up there to a nice view of Rome! After Vatican City..I went to a part of Rome called Tresvatere.

It's considered to be the working class neighborhood of Rome..but what I cosidered to be the best part of Rome! It was colorful...lots of life..I loved it there!! I roamed around the rest of the night..oh I went back to the Trevi Fountain cause..I guess I did it wrong in making my wishes..I am suppose to have my back turned and throw the coin over my shoulder..(like I was suppose to know haha :)..and the hostel had a spaghetti party! Today I have no plan really...I think I am just going to roam but I do have to go to the train station to get my train ticket for the airport tomorrow AM!

So lets see..in three weeks Ive been to: Prague..Venice..Padua..Viceza..Verona..Cinque Terre..Pisa.. Lucca..Florence (best gelato at Tivolis)..Siena..Pompeii..Sorrento..Positano.. Amalfi.. Rome. I loved Prague and could have stayed in Positano forever on those pebbles on the beach..I met a lot of people these past weeks but the most inspiring one I think would be Karen who I met in Prague. She is backpacking the world on her own for 1 year!! She is from the UK..but I think after having gone through three weeks on my own..gee I think Id miss my family and friends too much to do it on my own for 1 year..my favorite thing to do was buying fruit at the fruit stands...and going to the meat markets to get a sandwich made for lunch or dinner..oh haha and now I know how pasta should be cooked!! Time to experiment...

I fell in love with Roma- go figure!

Well..that's it folks...I've had an amazing time here..I know.. I know..you're going to miss my adventurous..entertaining email updates..heck some of u have even asked me to stay longer so you can get my emails haha...but I would miss my family..friends and the city too much!! I miss the SF fog..yes..I am a city girl at heart! I even came in under my budget!! Lets see..one thing that I am glad I brought that I was almost going to not bring my A&F button down cotton shirt..comes in very handy =)...one thing I shouldn't have brought..hm..toilet paper..it only took up space..but you know mom =)...So..that's it from Yi's backpacking adventure in Prague and Italy..but no worries..I already have a route in mind for my next trip =). I'll see/talk to you guys when I get back..

If I can be anywhere- I'd choose Positano!

I had just spent a day in gorgeous Positano..so the following day..I took the boat cruise and sailed by Capri and down the Amalfi Coast. It was very relaxing and just nice. Interesting thing happened..I think this man in his 50s tried to ask me out...he started conversation with "i just have to ask..where are you from?" I think he is just intrigued by Asian women..he told me he had a korean girlfriend..first Asian woman his ever met..then he attempted to ask me out to dinner..but I said I had an early train ride..phew! I did see something very disturbing when I was on the bus in Sorrento..this kid ..couldnt have been older than 5 was crying about something so the mom whacked him across the face...twice!! I was so shocked and disgusted..I looked at her and then I looked at the grandma and just shook my head..poor kid. So that was my few days on the coast of southern Italy..

If I can be anywhere..I'd choose Positano!

Made It To the Amalfi Coast!

My bus was at midnight..it was a 6.5 hour bus ride to Naples..the driver was flying and we got there in 5.5 hours! I woke up during the middle of the ride and saw that he was driving extremely fast so I strapped the seat belt on!! Got to the Naples train station at about 5:30am..for me Naples was the type of place that I wanted to leave as soon as I got there. The train station was the first time that i felt a little scared. Random people are sleeping on the ground..smell of alcohol..it was yucky! Anyway..took the first train I could to Pompeii..to see the Roman ruins before going to Sorrento. I had to take the commuter train which is like the muni in SF..I met a couple frim West Virginia at the Naples station..named Scott and Chris!! What a coincidence huh Chris?! haha. Got to Pompeii..it as pretty neat to be able to get an idea of how people lived 2K years ago!! It was a little scary at first because in pompeii...dogs are just running wild..aggressive dogs too!! I would let Scott and Chris sheild me!! They were a lot taller than I was =). Was done with pompeii in about 2 hours and now it was time to head to Sorrento!!

Arrived in Sorrento which is close to the Amalfi Coast aboud 11am...got to my hotel..and was given a room with a spectacular view with a balcony!! I hung out in Sorrento for the remainder of the day. A lot of folks from Britain here! I have a bathroom in my room except..its a little weird. No..no showers in the terrace this time...in the bathroom..there is a bath tub and a shower head on the wall except the shower head is like 1 feet away from the tub..no curtain..so when I first turned on the shower head to see what kind of water pressure I would get..water came splashing everywhere!! opps! I took a shower and washed my hair but sort of flooded the bathroom =0!! No worries danny..it wasnt nearly as bad as what you did in Cancun..I still dont know how you would flood the bathroom if Anson and I managed to keep it relatively dry! haha. So my second day in Sorrento is today...I had originally plan to take this boat cruise but the boat cruise didnt run today so change of plans..I took the bus instead down the coast. I had planned to take the bus all the way down to Amalfi but with all the twist..turns..braking..backing up..my head wasnt feeling all that great so I got off at Positano which is what i had planned to do tomorrow anyway. I spent the entire day in Positano..doing absolutely nothing but layed on the beach!! Positano was..WOW!! It was an incredible sight!! The water was as clear as drinking water from the bottle!! It was very therapeutic just sitting on the pebble rocks with the water hitting you! I was there from 1030 to about 430 and then i took the boat back to Sorrento..no way am I getting back on that bus =).

Italy's Amalfi Coastline! Amazing!!

So tomorrow..I plan to take the boat cruise..hopefully its running..and then I am off to Rome..my last stop before coming home!! In Rome..i will be visiting the Trevi Fountain..making wishes..anyone have wishes theyd like me to make for them?!

Siena- Italy's college town..

I left Florence in the morning and took the bus to Siena because it was faster that way and cheaper too. My plans for Siena was pretty last minute so finding a place was pretty difficult..I booked a hotel that was recommended by one of the many ones that I had called but was full. When I called to booked..she had told me that the place is close to the town center so I thought ok..cool..that would work! So i get to Siena and didn't really have anything or really knew how to get to where I was suppose to be so I went to the Jolly Hotel across the street and asked her for a map and how to get to my place..she was nice enough to direct me in the right direction..so i am trotting along on the main street...I pass the main square- il Campo- and thought ok..Athena should be coming up soon...well it didn't...and so i am walking..walking..walking..rolling hills...cobblestones with my big ol backpack..I still dont see it...I am almost at the end of the main street now AND then...two hills away..I see a sign that read Athena..and I am thinking..oh no no no...I dont think so! Girlfriend over here is not going to trek all this way back and forth every time I want to go to town and back to my place to rest and hang out...to give you a little perspective..its like saying Stonestown is the city center...and Athena was over by Sava Pool..!! That is not by the center! Plus I wasn't sure how itd be at night either...taxis are scarce and big city buses aren't allowed...so I turned around..walked back to Il Campo where I knew that there was a tourist office and asked the lady if she can help me find a cheap single room for 1 night..hoping that it wasnt in like Timbuktu or something!! And she did!! She found me a single room in a home of a womans..I thought..whatever..it works and its a place to stay for the night. When I got there (5 minutes away)..I was pleasantly surprised!! The place was very homey feeling and very nice. It was actually on a floor of a villa that the woman lives in. It had four or five other rooms as well and a bathroom at the end of the hallway! Each room was named a flower..my room was named Tulip!! Perfect..my favorite! The room looks like it came out of an Anthropologie catalog..and I had view of the hills of Siena..and for half the price of what I would have paid at Athena!! Good thing I gave Athena an expired cc number to hold my reservation =).

Siena was nice..a complete college town..the main square is the place to be..most of the time people are just sitting there soaking in the sun and people watching. kids are chasing pigeons cafes surrounding the square..that was Siena. I went to the Duomo there and climbed the tower to see the view of Siena..that was enough touristy stuff for me..I just wanted to hang out! My second day in Siena..I met a gal named Kate from Quebec City. We were both taking the tour of Chiati in the Tuscany Valley..and went wine tasting as well! We had dinner together before I had to leave for my night bus to Naples where I would connect to Sorrento. Oh so here's a funny story..I wake up in Siena after spending the night and I wanted to do my laundry again..since it was close by. I am in there and laundry woman (this grandma) just opened the place..she could tell that I am a tourist..so she was making sure that I knew what i was doing. I had to put coins in for tokens so I figured that part out and she was watching me and talking to me in Italian the whole time. i needed detergent and it cost .80 euros..so i was going to be a 1 euro coin in because that's all I had. But she wouldn't let me and she was saying something to me in italian..and every time I wanted to put it in..she would pull my hand away...and then i figured out that she was trying to tell me that i wont get change back so she didnt want me to waste the .20 euro haha. I tried to tell her that it was all I had..she even had me pour all my coins out in which i did...she finally let me put in my 1 euro coin..i got my detergent but no change..and she said..said something in Italian which I am assuming its in the same nature as ...see....haha. That whole thing went on for about 15 minutes haha..it was cute. She was really nice.

Siena- Italy's college town..

Florence, Italy

I arrived in Florence yesterday morning made sure I got off at the right Florence stop this time!! I found my place to stay hidden behind the vespas and market..Ignacio greeted me at the door..very nice and friendly guy! The place looked a bit scary though..walking up steps to get to it and even the door looks like a mental institution of some sort. I explored Florence yesterday..met a girl from texas who is studying here for 4 months...studying Design..today I visited the Uffizi Museum and I visit the Accademia later (home of Michaelangelos David)..right now..I am at an internet place waiting for my pics to download to CD..but I have to get going..tomorrow..I head out to Sienna!

By the way..Florence has so much shopping here!! If any one of you girls were with me..wed be in trouble as I am sure that we can find a reason to justify any purchase!

Florence- a bit too crowded for me..

CONTINUING A DAY LATER.. Anyway..last time I emailed I was in Florence and was in a rush because I had to get to the Accademia..I made an appointment so that I wouldn't have to wait in the two hour line...so..I will continue from there...

I saw Michelangelos David..its actually pretty impressive and neat! You weren't suppose to take pics but I snapped a few!! Florence overall was kinda disappointing..I didn't think it was as great as some people have made it out to be..its extremely crowded and tour groups EVERYWHERE...Vespas ready to run you over and very expensive. I think i spoiled myself by going to Prague first where it was extremely beautiful and cheap!! I liked Florence, north of Point Vecchio though..it was much calmer and more village like..I hung out at a cafe there and just people watched for hours..it was nice to not walk for a few hours =). I stayed in Florence for 2 nights and then was off to Siena.

Italy's charm- Lucca

So last time I wrote..it was my last night in Vernazza..so I will start with the morning..you guys can never guess what happened to me!! So I got up early because my plan was to catch the first train out to Pisa (6:37am) and then stop in Pisa for an hour or so before going to Lucca which is a town just on the outskirts of the Tuscany hill towns. So its 6:30am..I am at the train station reading my guide book..I felt something tingling on my waist so I went to slap it...and then I felt a sharp pain and saw a bee fly out! I got stung by a freakin bee in Vernazza at 6:30am! Of all the times Ive gone camping..cycling...running..hiking..anything outdoors..never once..but when I am in Italy..fully clothed..I get stung! I knew I got stung right when it happened...its just one of those feelings...I looked at it..it was turning red and swollen and I am thinking oh great! Well cant do anything about it..so just waiting for my train still in disbelief that I just got stung. I meet this girl whose also traveling by herself..she gave me some cream for my sting =)...I forgot her name but she is from Vegas.. =). We both got off at La Spezia where I had a train transfer and she had to leave her luggage so we said bye.

I got my Pisa train..bee sting still irritating..I see the Pisa stop and saw a bunch of people get off so I did too...only to find out that its the wrong Pisa stop..apparently theres two! Go figure?! Half an hour later..I catch the right one and I am enroute to Pisa...got to Pisa..took some pictures..wandered around and bit and headed back to the train station where I thought I was going to catch a train to Lucca...BUT guess what happened? The trains are on strike!! I thought..No F*cking Way!! (yes Danny I just swore haha..thats how surprised I was at that time!). Trains strike? I thought only BART went on strike!! So I thought..thats ok..theres always plan B..train operator sent me to the information desk..the information desk sent me to the bus station..two piazzas down..which was about 3 or so blocks..so I am trekking to the bus station where I meet two other solo backpackers..one girl was from Denver (real nice) and another from Canada (real snobby)..she asked me what towns Ive been to and managed to correct my pronunciation each time..I was thinking..now is that necessary? Youre only annoying me!! =). Darlene..she reminded me of someone at work..you know who I am talking about! So I got to the bus station..one ticket to Lucca..2.20 euros! SWEET!! Bus comes in 45 minutes! Back on track! As long as I get to my place to stay by 1pm I am good..because most everything in Lucca closes from 1-3pm. I met a girl while waiting for the bus..she is Italian..from Lucca! She is a student..studying all types of languages..I forgot her name too... =( but she was the nicest girl ever! The bus ride to Lucca was really pretty..full of trees and just very lush! We got to Lucca..I got my backpack..strapped on..looked at my map for the key street names..checked the time ( it was 12:38pm)...time to roll! I walked really really really fast...found my B&B with 6 minutes to spare and was greeted by the mom and son who runs the place! Very sweet and nice people! I dropped my stuff off and explored Lucca!

Lucca is such a beautiful and charming little town. The entire town is surrounded by a red brick wall..circling about 2.5 miles! Getting to Lucca was defiinitely worth it..bee sting..wrong stops..train strike and all!! Oh..haha so I am walking around Lucca and saw a pharmacy..so I walked in..and asked the lady if she spoke english? she said no and so I said..ok..then I said..bee and showed her my waist area where I got stung..and she said ah..si! She goes to the back and comes back with cotton balls, antiseptic, cortisone cream, bandages, tweezers and a needle..she looked like she knew what she was doing so I thought...alright!! She tried to take the stinger out I guess but it wouldnt come out so she just put some cream on me and bandaged me up..said something to me in Italian..I nodded figuring it was the usual..keep it clean..dont scratch and I was on my merry way!

Italy's charm- Lucca

Anyone know what would happen if I just kept the stinger in there??

Cinque Terre- Italy's Magic

I think its been about a week and a half since I left for my trip. I am at my last day here in Vernazza. Last time I emailed..I was in Verona taking the night train here. So I was at the train station and incredibly bored for hours. I was in a Mickey Ds waiting for time to go by..scouted the place..out of about 17 or so people..I was the only girl..not exactly the best situation so I was looking around to see if I can befriend anyone that seemed "innocent"..no one I wanted to approach...and then.. 2 nuns came walking in!! I thought "sweet!" I am hanging out by the nuns until my train comes which is exaclty what I did! My night train came..I had a couqetta which is a bed in a cabin..I felt right asleep..3 or 4 hours later I was in Genoa waiting for my transfer to Vernazza..met a very nice Canadian couple. I did get up a few minutes before my actual stop in Genoa and I was just looking out the window..I heard a cabin door open and out comes this guy in his undies..and a shirt..going to the bathroom..he scared me!! He reminded me of Hugh Grant's roommate in Notting Hill..you know the scene of him in his undies..scary right?!

I arrived in Vernazza yesterday early morning..planned to stay here for 3 nights but I changed my plans again and am making it 2 instead. I found my place that I was staying at..Annamarie let me in and at first I thought I was going to have to make it up this tiny green spiral staircase with my big backpack..but she led me in another way! phew!! The view was awesome but it was no joke hiking up to it!! So in my last email..I mentioned that I had a shower out in the terrace right?! well..haha..its been 3 or 4 days since Ive had a real shower and since ive washed my hair..and those who know me well know that I have a thing about hygiene so you can only imagine!! Reason why its been a few days since ive showered is because at the place that I stayed at in Venice..there were no showers .. so back to my shower in the terrace..I didnt want to shower when it was still light out because people can definitely see..so I decided to wait until dark..well darkness came and so did the wind!! The wind was constantly blowing the curtain so all of Vernazza could have seen me shower from the bottom of the hill! But again..remember its been 3 or so days since Ive showered so I had to..plus I had a J.Lo moment in the morning (in the Wedding Planner when she is in Steves office after he saved her from the garbage can..she looked in the mirror and noticed her hair..well my moment was like that but 10 times worse!). So after 20 minutes of figuring out how to get at least one side of the curtain to stay put...I went for it!! A quick 5 minute shower (hot water lasted for 3 minutes)..Im sure some folks saw me but at that point..I didnt care..shower was necessary!! Besides..I did see people swimming nude during my hike between the hill towns..so Im sure being nude in public is somewhat natural here ;). See..Jennie..I am not as big of a "princess" as you think I am haha..but you bet I am going to make my massage and facial appointments once I get back to the bay!

when she told me that the shower was in the terrace...somehow I had envisioned it to be more "glamourous"..haha.

Which brings me to today..today was my vacation from my vacation! Church bell woke me up at 6am..got up at 7ish..from all the town noise..did my laundry..and then trained to Monterosa which is the most resorty of towns here in the Cinque Terre..bought the cheapest beach towel I can find..spent bucks on tanning lotion..pulled the bikini out ..rented a chair and tanned all day! It was so relaxing falling sleep to the waves! Cinque Terre is definitely a unique place..it reminds me a lot of canton, china..this village that my family is from..people are yelling out at their neighborhoods.. clothes hanging from the balconies..has that special village smell..cats and dogs running wild everywhere..its a special place!

Tomorrow AM..I take the early train to Pisa for a quick stop before going to Lucca for one night and entering Florence and the Tuscany Hills area!

I've always wanted to go to Venice!

So I flew out of Prague to Venice..got to Venice at 1230am..the flight was an hour late! Apparently, they're always an hour late?? Anyway, we were the last flight there and the airport was pretty empty. This couple from Vegas was nice enough to let me hitch a ride with their cab to the airport hotel that I had booked for the night! The next morning, I made my way to S.Marco Square in Venice! I found my Pensione Doni and made my way up the stairs to my room. It rained that day..again! Its starting to be a theme!! I couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to hide in a cafe or what..I walked around in circles as the rain was pouring by now..then I had a thought..how often do I get a chance to take pictures of S. Marco Square storming?? So that's what i did..I went and took pictures of people trying to get control of their umbrella and the Basillica in the rain storm..the sky was really pretty! I also took advantage that hardly anyone was out and went to the Correr Museum and the Doges Palace!

I stayed in venice for two nights..which was enough Venice for me..I can only walk around in circles and over bridges for so long..haha..I spent my last evening in venice at the square with a hot chocolate..listening to the orchestra play and journaled as the sun set over the grand canal...( i know..tough life!) I left Venice this morning and town hopped all day! I started with Padua which is a little town famous for its St. Anthonys basillica..it was amazing! You cant help but walk in and just feel tons of emotion as people are praying and tourists are in awe of the building and artwork. Next stop was Vicenza..one of my favorites so far in Italy! Its a city full of charm and character..I couldnt help take lots of pics of all the colorful alleyways! They have the Olympic Theater there which is a sight not to be missed! Now, I am in Verona..city of the fake Romeo and Juliet Balcony! There are so many people here that it makes the S. Marco Square in Venice look like a ghost town!

My train is at 1am tonight..tomorrow morning..heading to Genoa enroute to Vernazza of the Cinque Terre..there I have a room booked with a terrace overlooking the hills and water of Vernazza...(i know..tough life)! Aside from Prague, that was the other place that was a must visit for me that Ive been thinking about for years! The only weird thing about the place that I booked is that I do have a private shower...but its outdoors in the terrace..should be interesting!! But hey as long as it was hot water..I will be happy!

Getting lost in Venice- almost impossible not to..

I sorta planned out the remainder of my trip..I spend 3 nights in Vernazza and then I will visit Pisa enroute to Florence where I will stay for 3 nights at some family run home and then off to Siena for 1 night and then training to Sorrento in the Amalfi Coast..the Amalfi Coast wasnt in the original plan but I miss seeing the water so I had to make room for it. And then I go to Rome for 3 nights staying at a hostel before flying back home.. =).

Prague Is Amazing

I can't say how beautiful it is here! I am so in love with the architecture and the amtosphere here. I am staying at a Pensione ran by a grandmother- who I drove nuts on my first night here because she handed me a set of keys and I could not figure out for the life of me..which key was for which door..you'd think that if the key fits..it would just go in the key hole..yeah not exactly!

I met five friends here so far=). I met a woman by the name of Maria with whom I shared a cab with to the pensione (she was 3 miles away) and a guy from Berkeley named Allan (gets lost all the time). I took a walking tour yesterday and met a girl named Pimbull ( I probably butchered her name) who I stuck with the entire day. We toured almost the entire city of Prague..on our way out of St.Nicholas Church (stunning)...I heard someone call my name and thought..no one here would know me..but I turned around and it was Allan who was with his new buddy named Rome. We all met up for dinner where we met another girl named Karen from the UK. It's been an adventure so far..more to come..just wanted everyone to know that I am safe and doing well! Extremely cheap here..!! Alright..off to the Jewish Cemetery..I fly out to Venice tomorrow night! So much more to tell you guys about Prague but this keyboard is getting on my last nerve...

TWO DAYS LATER..

So last time I emailed..I was in Prague..on my last morning..I was suppose to meet up with Pekbom at 9am..she never showed but Karen did. Karen said that Pekbom never came back last night from her day trip to Vienna so that got us both a little worried. We tried searching for her in and also called her but no sign. So Karen and I just roamed around..it rained pretty much all day that day so I decided to go to the airport early. And it was there that I saw Pekbom..I knew she had a flight back to the UK at the same time as me so I was hoping to see her. It turned out that she missed the train from Vienna back to Prague..she was really upset about it and even blamed it on the fact that she was out with Karen, Allan and I too long the night before so she wasnt paying enough attention..but she was safe and that was all that mattered =). Note taken- never wait for the last train to go back to the city that you came from..you never know what might happen!