Tales of a falling woman
Dec 1st, 2012, 01:20 AM
#21
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I leave Rome for Naples. I will be in Naples for a few days.
As I am writing these notes I am feeling very nostalgic for Italy. I had already fallen in love with the Italians and their love of life.
Today is the day I discover if my plans to travel by train prove to be successful. I use a taxi from the hotel to Roma Termini. Here I am outside Roma Termini with my luggage. The problem is I need to get to Sale Blu office and I have two pieces of wheeled luggage and only two hands. This means that I strap my walking stick/seat to my body and make my way to Sale Blu office. By the time I arrive I’m exhausted because I have not had the assistance of my walking/stick seat. I’m also irritated with myself because I had the means of preventing this. Don’t laugh or cry when I say it involves my deceased dog’s collar which I had packed. All I needed to do was use it to attach my smaller rolling backpack to my larger small roller and use my other hand for my walking stick/seat. I rest in Sale Blu office and I’m delivered to the platform and onto the train with my luggage. The staff are so kind and organized. I’m on my way to Naples and I feel like I’m being accompanied by my beloved dog! The train is so comfortable and so fast. I had wonderful conversation with Americans on their way to a wedding in Naples.
When I arrive in Naples I am collected from my carriage with my luggage. My assistant takes me to the head of the taxi queue. A ferocious outcry erupts from the queue and the taxi drivers directed at my poor assistant. I indicate that I am holding a position in the queue behind the last person in the existing queue and then I stare vaguely off into the distance. The outcry subsides with some residual dark muttering. When the queue reaches my turn I have a taxi and am transported at dizzying speed up narrow streets/lanes with loud blaring of horn and curses from the taxi driver. At first it was terrifying, then I decided he knew what he was doing, besides … que sera sera. Also the scenery flashing by helps to take my mind off the situation.
I have just proven that I can travel between major centres with assistance by train and taxi!!
My hotel room is wonderful and the breakfasts are fantastic. This hotel has an outdoor pool set in almost tropical surroundings. It’s like an oasis in Naples. An absolute bonus is that there is a wine, cheese and jazz night beside the pool which hotel guests are welcome to attend. The entertainment is provided by music and singing students from the university which means there are many young people in the audience. I’m impressed by the stylish dressing of the young women and men and the entertainment was wonderful.
I am using buses to explore Naples and to connect with the art I wish to see. The locals on the buses volunteer assistance by asking where I’m from, where I want to go and advising me when to get off.
Although Amalfi Coast is tempting I err on the side of caution since it seems it would be difficult for me to manage. SITA buses may present a problem and I know no one to share private driver expenses with. I also suspect I would prefer to view it from the sea.
Naples is obviously more financially strained than Rome. It’s not a clean, tidy city but it appears to have a strong, beating friendly heart.
I started having some problems with swollen legs in Rome. I was recovering them at night with TED stockings. I needed some socks that catered for the swelling during the day. I discovered in Naples that even male Italian feet are not as broad as my feet! Beautiful quality socks but not for me. I mention this because, if you have feet similar to mine, do not expect to find shoes or socks to suit you in Italy. Later during my travels I discovered that Switzerland catered to my feet.
Whilst in Naples the outside of a school in Brindisi in southern Italy was bombed, killing a 16 year old schoolgirl. The rumour was that this was mafia action since the school was named after a slain anti-mafia prosecutor. There was also a damaging and fatal earthquake near Bologna in northern Italy.
I’m off to Florence!!
As I am writing these notes I am feeling very nostalgic for Italy. I had already fallen in love with the Italians and their love of life.
Today is the day I discover if my plans to travel by train prove to be successful. I use a taxi from the hotel to Roma Termini. Here I am outside Roma Termini with my luggage. The problem is I need to get to Sale Blu office and I have two pieces of wheeled luggage and only two hands. This means that I strap my walking stick/seat to my body and make my way to Sale Blu office. By the time I arrive I’m exhausted because I have not had the assistance of my walking/stick seat. I’m also irritated with myself because I had the means of preventing this. Don’t laugh or cry when I say it involves my deceased dog’s collar which I had packed. All I needed to do was use it to attach my smaller rolling backpack to my larger small roller and use my other hand for my walking stick/seat. I rest in Sale Blu office and I’m delivered to the platform and onto the train with my luggage. The staff are so kind and organized. I’m on my way to Naples and I feel like I’m being accompanied by my beloved dog! The train is so comfortable and so fast. I had wonderful conversation with Americans on their way to a wedding in Naples.
When I arrive in Naples I am collected from my carriage with my luggage. My assistant takes me to the head of the taxi queue. A ferocious outcry erupts from the queue and the taxi drivers directed at my poor assistant. I indicate that I am holding a position in the queue behind the last person in the existing queue and then I stare vaguely off into the distance. The outcry subsides with some residual dark muttering. When the queue reaches my turn I have a taxi and am transported at dizzying speed up narrow streets/lanes with loud blaring of horn and curses from the taxi driver. At first it was terrifying, then I decided he knew what he was doing, besides … que sera sera. Also the scenery flashing by helps to take my mind off the situation.
I have just proven that I can travel between major centres with assistance by train and taxi!!
My hotel room is wonderful and the breakfasts are fantastic. This hotel has an outdoor pool set in almost tropical surroundings. It’s like an oasis in Naples. An absolute bonus is that there is a wine, cheese and jazz night beside the pool which hotel guests are welcome to attend. The entertainment is provided by music and singing students from the university which means there are many young people in the audience. I’m impressed by the stylish dressing of the young women and men and the entertainment was wonderful.
I am using buses to explore Naples and to connect with the art I wish to see. The locals on the buses volunteer assistance by asking where I’m from, where I want to go and advising me when to get off.
Although Amalfi Coast is tempting I err on the side of caution since it seems it would be difficult for me to manage. SITA buses may present a problem and I know no one to share private driver expenses with. I also suspect I would prefer to view it from the sea.
Naples is obviously more financially strained than Rome. It’s not a clean, tidy city but it appears to have a strong, beating friendly heart.
I started having some problems with swollen legs in Rome. I was recovering them at night with TED stockings. I needed some socks that catered for the swelling during the day. I discovered in Naples that even male Italian feet are not as broad as my feet! Beautiful quality socks but not for me. I mention this because, if you have feet similar to mine, do not expect to find shoes or socks to suit you in Italy. Later during my travels I discovered that Switzerland catered to my feet.
Whilst in Naples the outside of a school in Brindisi in southern Italy was bombed, killing a 16 year old schoolgirl. The rumour was that this was mafia action since the school was named after a slain anti-mafia prosecutor. There was also a damaging and fatal earthquake near Bologna in northern Italy.
I’m off to Florence!!
Dec 1st, 2012, 04:33 PM
#27
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Thanks for feedback. Since this is being written from the perspective of the "mobility challenged" I wondered how much interest it may engender. My motivation is that if it helps just one person to travel, that will be a good outcome.
In answer to question about hotels - I will provide these when I finish this Italy saga.
In answer to question about hotels - I will provide these when I finish this Italy saga.
Dec 1st, 2012, 04:38 PM
#28
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Hints:
I had printed all my tickets for travel within Italy from emails received from Trenitalia when I booked my tickets online in Australia (1st class on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains). I ensured I had a second copy of them in my luggage since these were precious. These tickets include an allocated seat number. It’s your seat! I was travelling very comfortably. Also since I was travelling out of peak times, I had been able to score many cheaper MINI fares which reduced expenses.
I should point out that if you are using the assistance service you need to present yourself about an hour ahead of train departure. If you’re like me, that’s not a burden as it gives you an opportunity to recover from organising yourself to get there. It’s also an opportunity to review your notes and map for your destination. Sometimes I used this time to organise the assistance for the next leg of my train travel. On one occasion I attached my luggage to the seat in the waiting room (with a bicycle cable) and fetched a takeway lunch and drink for the journey. If you still have time to spare you can always amuse yourself with eReader, music, people watching or trainspotting.
When you arrive at your destination you and your luggage are escorted into a taxi if that is your wish. It’s a good idea when you arrive at your destination station to enquire the whereabouts of their assistance office so that you know exactly where to go when you return by taxi. If you’re like me every step in your day counts so efficiency is the key. However, you need some Italian language skills so that your question is understood. Otherwise you may be taken to the office rather than to the taxi.
So, I’m leaving Naples for Florence
Once again it’s a taxi to the rail station but this time I make my way to the office for assistance with my luggage joined with my dog’s collar. This means I arrive in a much better condition. Once again a wonderful train journey to Florence and of course I pass through Rome Termini on the way. I reflect that Rome Termini is now so familiar to me.
I love train travel because it provides a trouble free environment with an opportunity to absorb the landscape, the agriculture, the homes and way of life of the population whilst I have a comfortable rest. Not something you can do when you are driving or navigating.
My hotel is very close (steps away) to Ponte Vecchio and close to Uffizi and Accademia. The hotel has stairs up to the first floor but it is not a problem as my luggage is collected from street level and taken to my room (there was a button to press). Once again very comfortable accommodation.
This hotel has a roof garden with tables, chairs, great views, and drinks delivered (stairs to this but manageable). A lounge area with a bar and a breakfast room. Breakfasts were very good. You can breakfast on the roof if you wish. The domestic staff members are mostly female Asian with broad smiles and dressed in black with white aprons and caps. The office is extremely helpful also.
There were many American guests here. Actually there appeared to be many Americans in Florence. I reached the conclusion that this was a “flow over” from the penultimate regatta in the inaugural World Series America’s Cup which had been held in Venice.
Florence is very negotiable on foot. The climb to the top of the Boboli Gardens was not something I opted for. If you climb a little way and then go into the left you can make your way around to a high grassed area with wonderful views.
There is also a bus service with a bus stop for one of the routes (lines) a few steps away. Using this you could link with other routes to get around. I had pre-purchased a Firenze Card which I collected when I visited Uffizi Gallery. I was let in the side entrance of the Duoma (Santa Maria del Fiore) which meant no queuing and placed me directly underneath the dome. Other visitors were behind a barrier further back. Naturally I was not climbing to the top.
Apart from the usual things to visit in Florence I enjoyed Museo Storica/Orto Botanica (Botanical gardens and dinosaurs etc) and Museo Galileo (Institute and Museum of the History of Science). A couple of evenings I caught a bus up to Fiesole (Etruscan city lying on a hill just 3 kilometers away) and enjoyed my food and wine with a panoramic view over Florence. There was always entertainment of all sorts to be had on the Ponte Vecchio nearby. Or you could gaze at gold jewellery.
Hint: If you take a small folding umbrella you can put this in a bag and tie it to you walking/stick seat. Especially useful is a narrow umbrella plastic bag which you can obtain at the entry to a department store in Florence (they are trying to keep things dry in the store). When light intermittent rain commenced in Florence the hawkers were suddenly able to switch from hats to umbrellas.
After a wonderful time in Florence I’m off to Padua.
Hotel staff deliver my luggage to the street.
Taxi, dog collar and assistance
I had printed all my tickets for travel within Italy from emails received from Trenitalia when I booked my tickets online in Australia (1st class on Frecciarossa, Frecciargento and Frecciabianca trains). I ensured I had a second copy of them in my luggage since these were precious. These tickets include an allocated seat number. It’s your seat! I was travelling very comfortably. Also since I was travelling out of peak times, I had been able to score many cheaper MINI fares which reduced expenses.
I should point out that if you are using the assistance service you need to present yourself about an hour ahead of train departure. If you’re like me, that’s not a burden as it gives you an opportunity to recover from organising yourself to get there. It’s also an opportunity to review your notes and map for your destination. Sometimes I used this time to organise the assistance for the next leg of my train travel. On one occasion I attached my luggage to the seat in the waiting room (with a bicycle cable) and fetched a takeway lunch and drink for the journey. If you still have time to spare you can always amuse yourself with eReader, music, people watching or trainspotting.
When you arrive at your destination you and your luggage are escorted into a taxi if that is your wish. It’s a good idea when you arrive at your destination station to enquire the whereabouts of their assistance office so that you know exactly where to go when you return by taxi. If you’re like me every step in your day counts so efficiency is the key. However, you need some Italian language skills so that your question is understood. Otherwise you may be taken to the office rather than to the taxi.
So, I’m leaving Naples for Florence
Once again it’s a taxi to the rail station but this time I make my way to the office for assistance with my luggage joined with my dog’s collar. This means I arrive in a much better condition. Once again a wonderful train journey to Florence and of course I pass through Rome Termini on the way. I reflect that Rome Termini is now so familiar to me.
I love train travel because it provides a trouble free environment with an opportunity to absorb the landscape, the agriculture, the homes and way of life of the population whilst I have a comfortable rest. Not something you can do when you are driving or navigating.
My hotel is very close (steps away) to Ponte Vecchio and close to Uffizi and Accademia. The hotel has stairs up to the first floor but it is not a problem as my luggage is collected from street level and taken to my room (there was a button to press). Once again very comfortable accommodation.
This hotel has a roof garden with tables, chairs, great views, and drinks delivered (stairs to this but manageable). A lounge area with a bar and a breakfast room. Breakfasts were very good. You can breakfast on the roof if you wish. The domestic staff members are mostly female Asian with broad smiles and dressed in black with white aprons and caps. The office is extremely helpful also.
There were many American guests here. Actually there appeared to be many Americans in Florence. I reached the conclusion that this was a “flow over” from the penultimate regatta in the inaugural World Series America’s Cup which had been held in Venice.
Florence is very negotiable on foot. The climb to the top of the Boboli Gardens was not something I opted for. If you climb a little way and then go into the left you can make your way around to a high grassed area with wonderful views.
There is also a bus service with a bus stop for one of the routes (lines) a few steps away. Using this you could link with other routes to get around. I had pre-purchased a Firenze Card which I collected when I visited Uffizi Gallery. I was let in the side entrance of the Duoma (Santa Maria del Fiore) which meant no queuing and placed me directly underneath the dome. Other visitors were behind a barrier further back. Naturally I was not climbing to the top.
Apart from the usual things to visit in Florence I enjoyed Museo Storica/Orto Botanica (Botanical gardens and dinosaurs etc) and Museo Galileo (Institute and Museum of the History of Science). A couple of evenings I caught a bus up to Fiesole (Etruscan city lying on a hill just 3 kilometers away) and enjoyed my food and wine with a panoramic view over Florence. There was always entertainment of all sorts to be had on the Ponte Vecchio nearby. Or you could gaze at gold jewellery.
Hint: If you take a small folding umbrella you can put this in a bag and tie it to you walking/stick seat. Especially useful is a narrow umbrella plastic bag which you can obtain at the entry to a department store in Florence (they are trying to keep things dry in the store). When light intermittent rain commenced in Florence the hawkers were suddenly able to switch from hats to umbrellas.
After a wonderful time in Florence I’m off to Padua.
Hotel staff deliver my luggage to the street.
Taxi, dog collar and assistance
Dec 1st, 2012, 07:23 PM
#30
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A great train ride to Padua.
Why did I choose Padua?
I was motivated by two things. I had thought that Rome, Naples and Florence would be busy and bustling and I may be in need of some quieter space. I was right. Also since I’m allergic to mould which leads to sinus infections I was happy to visit Venice but had no wish to stay in Venice. Venice also looked like hard work in terms of access across the canals. I planned to commute to Venice from Padua. This proved to be a very good choice.
With assistance boarding, deboarding I arrived at my hotel in Padua. I had debated whether to stay close to the station or not since I was only here for 4 nights, 3 full days but some reports made me slightly nervous about this option. There’s a saying in Australia that goes something like: “if you are camping in crocodile country, move on the third morning because hungry crocs have been monitoring your habits for the past two days”. I’m not saying Padua rail station is a problem – but remember I’m on my own and I have more travelling to do! I applied the same principle in Naples – not staying close to the station.
The hotel is well situated and clean, comfortable and with close access to a bus to the station which worked well for me. The breakfasts are not as high quality as elsewhere but perfectly adequate. Actually breakfast would be fine if it wasn’t for the cold, “gone green”, boiled eggs. There is also free access to internet on a laptop.
There is a quiet, friendly square outside served by a couple of bars with very friendly staff where you can relax with other guests and entertain each other with your day’s events. Also there’s a Tabacchi to buy your bus tickets from. Padua is a lovely place to be and very negotiable on foot. It is beautifully quiet and clean with minimal harassment in the town itself. There’s plenty to see in Padua and it’s a place I would be happy to return to. If you are into shopping you could do it peacefully in Padua. I really enjoyed the enormous fruit and vegetable market since I come from a pineapple farming background and I was very interested in where all this produce was grown or imported from. Great discussions with the vendors over the produce and they were delighted with my interest. Could hardly stagger home with the few fruit freebies I accepted from them. It was not my aim to score freebies but I had no wish to offend their generosity of spirit. The secret was to eat some on the way which at least centralised the weight – less drag on the walking stick/seat. You’ve got to laugh at life.
I spend my first day in Padua wandering about and reading “Angels and Demons” under any lovely shady tree I fancy or at a table scoffing coffee, nutritious food and plenty of the not nutritious but very satisfying stuff one simply cannot resist. Have a great day.
So Padua is also used as a base to visit Venice. It’s a quick trip on the train to Venice and because I have snagged MINI fares costs me only 9E each way. This cost is more than compensated for by my cheaper accommodation and the quiet relaxation at the end of the day in Padua. Hope everybody does not now start staying in Padua and ruin the peace and quiet!!
So the next day I make my way by bus to Padua station. I’m on the platform comfortably seated on my walking stick/seat whilst others are standing because there are no seats left. The train is running late and there are numerous freight trains passing through rocking the platform. Anyway my train arrives, I then arrive at Venice SL, buy a 24hr Vaporetto ticket, set off down the canal and on to the art I want to view. Probably the best way to describe it is that I am on the right hand side of the canal this day. I enjoy a wonderful lunch at “The Corner Pub” with the locals this day. This was after being rejected by a waiter at another place because there was only one of me! Not enough income from a table with just one person. This is the only occasion this happened to me. I see this as his loss, not mine.
Arriving back at Padua I settle outside in the square for my evening get together with a couple from the hotel. Guess what! It was not the freight trains rocking and rolling the platform this morning, it was that second earthquake. I’m told I missed all the excitement in the hotel as the other guests were having their breakfast. Evacuation was the order of the day. It does explain why that train was late. Unfortunately this earthquake caused more devastation and fatalities in an area in Italy than the one that had occurred whilst I was in Naples. Apparently it was felt in Venice, Milan and all the way to Austria. Padua was fine.
The next day I’m back in Venice using the same ticket down the canal since I’m within 24 hrs. Today I’m on the left hand side of the canal. Plenty of time for morning tea and exploring as the queue is huge for San Marco. As I suspected would be the case, the queue for San Marco is much smaller at lunch time. I join a short queue and in I go. A word of warning, the floor is lumpy in here so don’t trip up.
Hint: If the crowds and/or heat get too much for you, head to the garden/park out of the square and around to the right. Remember if you have a walking stick/seat, you can sit anywhere in here. Good spot for a picnic lunch if you can carry one.
I’m amused at the dove/pigeon sitting on a nest on a portico on the side of the square, above the heads of hundreds of oblivious passing people. Wonder how many people were anointed outside San Marco? Had a great lunch down one of the side alleys near San Marco. I decide not to buy another Vap ticket for the trip back to the station. I spend the rest of my day meandering my way back slowly exploring, eating, imbibing as I go.
It’s a sorry sight watching people arrive in Venice with huge luggage, finding themselves faced with getting this to the other side of the canal. The looks that pass between couples speak volumes.
When I arrive back at Padua station I print my ticket for Milan (using code into machine) to go through to Brig in Switzerland. This had been booked and paid for online through Trenitalia but because it is an international ticket it can only be printed in Italy. It made sense to me to do this in a quiet station like Padua rather than in Milan when I arrive there. I could have printed it in Rome, Florence or Naples but I decided to wait until Padua. It reduced the risk of losing it and there would be less queuing at machines or ticket desks.
Life is about to get very interesting because I am about to increase the height of my Leap of Faith – I’m off to Bergamo tomorrow! Bergamo is serviced by regional trains so these trains are quite different from the ones for which I have had assistance. So it’s a train to Brescia, then change to a regional train.
This means I also purchase a ticket for Brescia to Bergamo through a machine. It was not possible to purchase this ticket before I left Australia because the date was too far in advance to do so. What is the challenge? Assistance is not available at all stations in Italy and I’m reasonably sure this will apply at Bergamo. I had considered travelling from Padua to Milan, leaving my larger small roller in luggage storage and then travelling Milan to Bergamo. I could then retrieve my luggage when I arrived back in Milan to go onto Switzerland. But in the end I have taken the chance that somehow I will survive the day.
On with the challenge!
As it turned out, I had a very interesting day ahead of me.
Why did I choose Padua?
I was motivated by two things. I had thought that Rome, Naples and Florence would be busy and bustling and I may be in need of some quieter space. I was right. Also since I’m allergic to mould which leads to sinus infections I was happy to visit Venice but had no wish to stay in Venice. Venice also looked like hard work in terms of access across the canals. I planned to commute to Venice from Padua. This proved to be a very good choice.
With assistance boarding, deboarding I arrived at my hotel in Padua. I had debated whether to stay close to the station or not since I was only here for 4 nights, 3 full days but some reports made me slightly nervous about this option. There’s a saying in Australia that goes something like: “if you are camping in crocodile country, move on the third morning because hungry crocs have been monitoring your habits for the past two days”. I’m not saying Padua rail station is a problem – but remember I’m on my own and I have more travelling to do! I applied the same principle in Naples – not staying close to the station.
The hotel is well situated and clean, comfortable and with close access to a bus to the station which worked well for me. The breakfasts are not as high quality as elsewhere but perfectly adequate. Actually breakfast would be fine if it wasn’t for the cold, “gone green”, boiled eggs. There is also free access to internet on a laptop.
There is a quiet, friendly square outside served by a couple of bars with very friendly staff where you can relax with other guests and entertain each other with your day’s events. Also there’s a Tabacchi to buy your bus tickets from. Padua is a lovely place to be and very negotiable on foot. It is beautifully quiet and clean with minimal harassment in the town itself. There’s plenty to see in Padua and it’s a place I would be happy to return to. If you are into shopping you could do it peacefully in Padua. I really enjoyed the enormous fruit and vegetable market since I come from a pineapple farming background and I was very interested in where all this produce was grown or imported from. Great discussions with the vendors over the produce and they were delighted with my interest. Could hardly stagger home with the few fruit freebies I accepted from them. It was not my aim to score freebies but I had no wish to offend their generosity of spirit. The secret was to eat some on the way which at least centralised the weight – less drag on the walking stick/seat. You’ve got to laugh at life.
I spend my first day in Padua wandering about and reading “Angels and Demons” under any lovely shady tree I fancy or at a table scoffing coffee, nutritious food and plenty of the not nutritious but very satisfying stuff one simply cannot resist. Have a great day.
So Padua is also used as a base to visit Venice. It’s a quick trip on the train to Venice and because I have snagged MINI fares costs me only 9E each way. This cost is more than compensated for by my cheaper accommodation and the quiet relaxation at the end of the day in Padua. Hope everybody does not now start staying in Padua and ruin the peace and quiet!!
So the next day I make my way by bus to Padua station. I’m on the platform comfortably seated on my walking stick/seat whilst others are standing because there are no seats left. The train is running late and there are numerous freight trains passing through rocking the platform. Anyway my train arrives, I then arrive at Venice SL, buy a 24hr Vaporetto ticket, set off down the canal and on to the art I want to view. Probably the best way to describe it is that I am on the right hand side of the canal this day. I enjoy a wonderful lunch at “The Corner Pub” with the locals this day. This was after being rejected by a waiter at another place because there was only one of me! Not enough income from a table with just one person. This is the only occasion this happened to me. I see this as his loss, not mine.
Arriving back at Padua I settle outside in the square for my evening get together with a couple from the hotel. Guess what! It was not the freight trains rocking and rolling the platform this morning, it was that second earthquake. I’m told I missed all the excitement in the hotel as the other guests were having their breakfast. Evacuation was the order of the day. It does explain why that train was late. Unfortunately this earthquake caused more devastation and fatalities in an area in Italy than the one that had occurred whilst I was in Naples. Apparently it was felt in Venice, Milan and all the way to Austria. Padua was fine.
The next day I’m back in Venice using the same ticket down the canal since I’m within 24 hrs. Today I’m on the left hand side of the canal. Plenty of time for morning tea and exploring as the queue is huge for San Marco. As I suspected would be the case, the queue for San Marco is much smaller at lunch time. I join a short queue and in I go. A word of warning, the floor is lumpy in here so don’t trip up.
Hint: If the crowds and/or heat get too much for you, head to the garden/park out of the square and around to the right. Remember if you have a walking stick/seat, you can sit anywhere in here. Good spot for a picnic lunch if you can carry one.
I’m amused at the dove/pigeon sitting on a nest on a portico on the side of the square, above the heads of hundreds of oblivious passing people. Wonder how many people were anointed outside San Marco? Had a great lunch down one of the side alleys near San Marco. I decide not to buy another Vap ticket for the trip back to the station. I spend the rest of my day meandering my way back slowly exploring, eating, imbibing as I go.
It’s a sorry sight watching people arrive in Venice with huge luggage, finding themselves faced with getting this to the other side of the canal. The looks that pass between couples speak volumes.
When I arrive back at Padua station I print my ticket for Milan (using code into machine) to go through to Brig in Switzerland. This had been booked and paid for online through Trenitalia but because it is an international ticket it can only be printed in Italy. It made sense to me to do this in a quiet station like Padua rather than in Milan when I arrive there. I could have printed it in Rome, Florence or Naples but I decided to wait until Padua. It reduced the risk of losing it and there would be less queuing at machines or ticket desks.
Life is about to get very interesting because I am about to increase the height of my Leap of Faith – I’m off to Bergamo tomorrow! Bergamo is serviced by regional trains so these trains are quite different from the ones for which I have had assistance. So it’s a train to Brescia, then change to a regional train.
This means I also purchase a ticket for Brescia to Bergamo through a machine. It was not possible to purchase this ticket before I left Australia because the date was too far in advance to do so. What is the challenge? Assistance is not available at all stations in Italy and I’m reasonably sure this will apply at Bergamo. I had considered travelling from Padua to Milan, leaving my larger small roller in luggage storage and then travelling Milan to Bergamo. I could then retrieve my luggage when I arrived back in Milan to go onto Switzerland. But in the end I have taken the chance that somehow I will survive the day.
On with the challenge!
As it turned out, I had a very interesting day ahead of me.
Dec 2nd, 2012, 06:50 AM
#32
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Hi, beautifully written report and quite a helpful reference for other travelers to Italy with mobiity challenges.
The bombing in Brindisi was later determined to have no association with organized crime. Apparently a deranged individual.
What was the name of your hotel in Naples?
The bombing in Brindisi was later determined to have no association with organized crime. Apparently a deranged individual.
What was the name of your hotel in Naples?
Dec 2nd, 2012, 11:38 PM
#35
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Why did I choose to go to Bergamo?
In my hunt for art during my research for my trip I came across Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. I then discovered that it was closed for renovation until the end of 2012. Then I discovered that our capital city in Oz was hosting an exhibition of works from Accademia Carrara. I flew across Australia to this exhibition partly in order to see the art and also as a practice run with walking stick/seat and luggage etc for my planned trip to Europe. In the meantime I had become keen on visiting Bergamo in any case for its other attractions and also as an opportunity to test if I could manage travel to destinations that were serviced only by regional trains.
I was assisted onto the train at Padua and assistance was organised for the change at Brescia. I had taken note of the arrival time of the train in Brescia and the next suitable connection to Bergamo. I had texted my hostess at the B&B in Bergamo for collection from the station. On the train I’m relaxed (courtesy of Padua!), chatting with a couple who said the next station was Brescia. The train slowed earlier than I expected and I heard no station announcement. I panicked as I still had my eReader open etc and was not organised to deboard.
Whist I’m organising my stuff, people spring into action and get my luggage to the carriage entry. I didn’t have time to tell them that I would be collected from the carriage. No assistance arrives so others get my luggage to the platform. A shouted discussion ensues between the driver and the conductor with the final words being “Non marito”. I knew (as will those readers who understand Italain) that this translates to “No husband”!!! Here I am with walking stick/seat and luggage waiting for the train to leave the platform. I can see the roof of the station building above the train roof and also that there are stairs down to a tunnel which present a problem. I’m having a silent chuckle to myself about the thoughts that may be going through the minds of Italian passengers in the carriages as they pass by this woman with “Non marito”.
The train leaves and I’m not at Brescia! I’ve deboarded at Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione which is the station before Brescia! There’s no sign of activity at the station building. I’m weighing up the option of attaching my luggage to a seat, going down stairs, up stairs etc to get a ticket to get to Brescia and alerting Brescia that I will be on the next train. I’m uneasy because there are only two other people on the platform and (rightly or wrongly) I’m viewing them as potentially undesirables.
I contemplate opening the sealed envelope that my friend gave me at the airport in Perth - “To be opened in an emergency”. I decide this is still only a glitch. A young couple comes up the stairs and they are from Ireland. They are catching the next train to Milan. Yes, with their assistance, I did ride the next train for about 15 minutes to Brescia. I was prepared to pay any fine I may incur since I had no ticket for this particular train.
At Brescia of course I have no assistance now because I was not on the train I was expected on. Wonderful strangers helped me off the train. A Trenitalia staff member on the platform got my luggage down the steps to the tunnel and apologized because he had to leave me there as he had to catch the train to Milan. What a guy! A young man doubled back at stairs to platform for Bergamo train and helped me up the steps to the platform for Bergamo train. What a guy! I texted my hostess to advise I will be along later.
At Bergamo there are not only stairs down to the tunnel, there are many stairs up to the street. The conductor looked at me and, with a broad grin, abandoned his train and escorted me to the station entrance. What a guy! I suspect he lived in Bergamo.
My B&B hostess drives me to my accommodation and along the way explains Bergamo to me. She is Italian but has very good English skills. I’m staying in Città Alta (upper town) in Bergamo which is on a hill 400m above lower Bergamo and the Lombardian Plain. Bergamo is very pleasant with plenty to see and do. There is a comfortable bus service down to the station and a funicular to the base of the hill. Once down there the terrain is flat. There’s also a funicular to go even higher. I really enjoyed three course meals and wine in the evening at Cooperativa Citta Alta, Il Circolino, Vicolo Sant’Agata 19 (down laneway) which has fed locals for 40 yrs. It has a great outdoor setting with vine cover and wonderful views.
The B&B is very comfortable with breakfast supplied and I had fabulous views as I had a room with a balcony. My only problem was that the first night I nearly fell out of a narrow single bed. I shared a bathroom with a couple of ladies from Norway who were great company. The hostess and the host were wonderful.
I was faced with a few problems. Purchasing a ticket for the train from Bergamo to Milan was a problem because the queues to ticket staff were too long for me and the ticket machines were out of order. It was apparent that the financial situation in Italy was having an impact on staff numbers and maintenance at this station. Also how was I going to get to the station platform to catch a train to Milan since there was no assistance available? I was also attempting to organise assistance for my arrival in Milan but the language barrier on the phone made this impossible.
My hostess came to the rescue. She suggested I could go to the tourist bureau and purchase a 60k kilometric ticket for the train. She phoned and organised my assistance at Milan. I did need to sit in the carriage behind the driver so they could find me since these are regional trains with no seat numbers. My host drove me to the station and took me to the platform. We had a discussion about his olive farm in Tuscany while we waited for the train.
Notes:
You can store luggage at the Tourist Office which is a short distance up the street from the rail station. It’s possible to fly into Bergamo Orio Al Serio airport and catch a bus to Citta Alta in Bergamo (the Norwegians did this). At Bergamo rail station they are in the process of building an elevator (lift) in the tunnel but my helpful host didn’t appear to expect it completed anytime soon (finances). I was not aware that kilometric tickets were available. I thought they had been discontinued years ago.
I was very grateful for the help from strangers but somewhat concerned. I would have hated my luggage to be the final straw for a stranger’s well being. Not that I had heavy luggage but some of these people were already struggling with their own heavy luggage. Also you do need to be cautious as to who you allow to lay hands on your luggage.
I caused my own problems on the Padua to Brescia leg. Too relaxed and then too panicked. I did get to Bergamo, I had a wonderful time and I am on the train to Milan but only with the help from wonderful strangers. It’s not easy for the mobility challenged to venture off the beaten track. But I am so pleased to have experienced Bergamo.
I’m rolling onto Milan.
In my hunt for art during my research for my trip I came across Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. I then discovered that it was closed for renovation until the end of 2012. Then I discovered that our capital city in Oz was hosting an exhibition of works from Accademia Carrara. I flew across Australia to this exhibition partly in order to see the art and also as a practice run with walking stick/seat and luggage etc for my planned trip to Europe. In the meantime I had become keen on visiting Bergamo in any case for its other attractions and also as an opportunity to test if I could manage travel to destinations that were serviced only by regional trains.
I was assisted onto the train at Padua and assistance was organised for the change at Brescia. I had taken note of the arrival time of the train in Brescia and the next suitable connection to Bergamo. I had texted my hostess at the B&B in Bergamo for collection from the station. On the train I’m relaxed (courtesy of Padua!), chatting with a couple who said the next station was Brescia. The train slowed earlier than I expected and I heard no station announcement. I panicked as I still had my eReader open etc and was not organised to deboard.
Whist I’m organising my stuff, people spring into action and get my luggage to the carriage entry. I didn’t have time to tell them that I would be collected from the carriage. No assistance arrives so others get my luggage to the platform. A shouted discussion ensues between the driver and the conductor with the final words being “Non marito”. I knew (as will those readers who understand Italain) that this translates to “No husband”!!! Here I am with walking stick/seat and luggage waiting for the train to leave the platform. I can see the roof of the station building above the train roof and also that there are stairs down to a tunnel which present a problem. I’m having a silent chuckle to myself about the thoughts that may be going through the minds of Italian passengers in the carriages as they pass by this woman with “Non marito”.
The train leaves and I’m not at Brescia! I’ve deboarded at Desenzano Del Garda-Sirmione which is the station before Brescia! There’s no sign of activity at the station building. I’m weighing up the option of attaching my luggage to a seat, going down stairs, up stairs etc to get a ticket to get to Brescia and alerting Brescia that I will be on the next train. I’m uneasy because there are only two other people on the platform and (rightly or wrongly) I’m viewing them as potentially undesirables.
I contemplate opening the sealed envelope that my friend gave me at the airport in Perth - “To be opened in an emergency”. I decide this is still only a glitch. A young couple comes up the stairs and they are from Ireland. They are catching the next train to Milan. Yes, with their assistance, I did ride the next train for about 15 minutes to Brescia. I was prepared to pay any fine I may incur since I had no ticket for this particular train.
At Brescia of course I have no assistance now because I was not on the train I was expected on. Wonderful strangers helped me off the train. A Trenitalia staff member on the platform got my luggage down the steps to the tunnel and apologized because he had to leave me there as he had to catch the train to Milan. What a guy! A young man doubled back at stairs to platform for Bergamo train and helped me up the steps to the platform for Bergamo train. What a guy! I texted my hostess to advise I will be along later.
At Bergamo there are not only stairs down to the tunnel, there are many stairs up to the street. The conductor looked at me and, with a broad grin, abandoned his train and escorted me to the station entrance. What a guy! I suspect he lived in Bergamo.
My B&B hostess drives me to my accommodation and along the way explains Bergamo to me. She is Italian but has very good English skills. I’m staying in Città Alta (upper town) in Bergamo which is on a hill 400m above lower Bergamo and the Lombardian Plain. Bergamo is very pleasant with plenty to see and do. There is a comfortable bus service down to the station and a funicular to the base of the hill. Once down there the terrain is flat. There’s also a funicular to go even higher. I really enjoyed three course meals and wine in the evening at Cooperativa Citta Alta, Il Circolino, Vicolo Sant’Agata 19 (down laneway) which has fed locals for 40 yrs. It has a great outdoor setting with vine cover and wonderful views.
The B&B is very comfortable with breakfast supplied and I had fabulous views as I had a room with a balcony. My only problem was that the first night I nearly fell out of a narrow single bed. I shared a bathroom with a couple of ladies from Norway who were great company. The hostess and the host were wonderful.
I was faced with a few problems. Purchasing a ticket for the train from Bergamo to Milan was a problem because the queues to ticket staff were too long for me and the ticket machines were out of order. It was apparent that the financial situation in Italy was having an impact on staff numbers and maintenance at this station. Also how was I going to get to the station platform to catch a train to Milan since there was no assistance available? I was also attempting to organise assistance for my arrival in Milan but the language barrier on the phone made this impossible.
My hostess came to the rescue. She suggested I could go to the tourist bureau and purchase a 60k kilometric ticket for the train. She phoned and organised my assistance at Milan. I did need to sit in the carriage behind the driver so they could find me since these are regional trains with no seat numbers. My host drove me to the station and took me to the platform. We had a discussion about his olive farm in Tuscany while we waited for the train.
Notes:
You can store luggage at the Tourist Office which is a short distance up the street from the rail station. It’s possible to fly into Bergamo Orio Al Serio airport and catch a bus to Citta Alta in Bergamo (the Norwegians did this). At Bergamo rail station they are in the process of building an elevator (lift) in the tunnel but my helpful host didn’t appear to expect it completed anytime soon (finances). I was not aware that kilometric tickets were available. I thought they had been discontinued years ago.
I was very grateful for the help from strangers but somewhat concerned. I would have hated my luggage to be the final straw for a stranger’s well being. Not that I had heavy luggage but some of these people were already struggling with their own heavy luggage. Also you do need to be cautious as to who you allow to lay hands on your luggage.
I caused my own problems on the Padua to Brescia leg. Too relaxed and then too panicked. I did get to Bergamo, I had a wonderful time and I am on the train to Milan but only with the help from wonderful strangers. It’s not easy for the mobility challenged to venture off the beaten track. But I am so pleased to have experienced Bergamo.
I’m rolling onto Milan.
Dec 3rd, 2012, 01:16 AM
#37
"It was apparent that the financial situation in Italy was having an impact on staff numbers and maintenance at this station"
I don't think so, the Regionale and out of the way stations have always been a bit on edge. I once watched a man fit a PC to a display unit an Italian station by soldering the cables directly onto the BUS rather than just mate a USB connector. "Perche?" because they had no money for a cable.
I don't think so, the Regionale and out of the way stations have always been a bit on edge. I once watched a man fit a PC to a display unit an Italian station by soldering the cables directly onto the BUS rather than just mate a USB connector. "Perche?" because they had no money for a cable.
Dec 3rd, 2012, 03:37 AM
#39
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Why Milan?
Today Milan is simply being used as my entry to Switzerland. This is my 27th day in Italy. I intend to spend 3 weeks in Switzerland before returning to Milan from Tirano. I will spend a few days in Milan and day trip to the Borromean Islands. Then a train from Milan to Rome to fly home on the same day.
I arrive in Milan. Whatever my hostess in B&B in Bergamo said appears to have turned me into a VIP. A wonderful guy collects my luggage into one hand with a beaming smile, offers me his arm and takes me to the waiting room. I have time to spare ahead of the train to Switzerland. I already have my international ticket which I booked and paid for in Oz and printed in Padua. I organise assistance for when I arrive back in Milan from Tirano (regional train) and assistance for train from Milan to Rome for my flight home. Since a kiosk is nearby, I secure my luggage to the seat and I fetch a drink and food for lunch.
I ensure I have my passport at hand in case I need to produce it somewhere – I’m never asked for it. I’m assisted onto train and I’m off to Brig in Switzerland. I am purchasing a Swiss Pass for travel at Brig and then travelling onto my accommodation in Spiez. Tomorrow I’m off to Zurich for the day.
Towards the end of my stay in Switzerland I forward my larger piece of luggage to Tirano rail station (12CHF) and taking my small roller/backpack. I move around in Switzerland (Willem Tell Express, later Palm Express bus) ending with catching the Bernina Express to Tirano.
Six days after forwarding my luggage I collect it at Tirano, and purchase a ticket to Milan. Note: I was aware I needed to do this before the staff went on lunch break. I’m assisted onto the train at Tirano by station staff and they alert the conductor to the fact that I need assistance at Milan. Unfortunately, later, the conductor is in a bad mood because he is having an argument with a young person who is travelling without a ticket. He informs me there will be no assistance. I do not have the language skills to inform him that it has been already booked at Milan. Maybe there is a strike? I decide to err on the side of caution and assume that I will have no assistance. When I arrive in Milan a helpful stranger helps me off the train. It takes some navigation to exit Milan station. I can’t use travelators with luggage in one hand and walking stick/seat in the other hand. I find the lift and the correct exit.
I have chosen a budget hotel with a single room in Milan since I will only be here 3 nights and I am almost home. It’s perfectly adequate to my needs, close to the station and with a good breakfast. I enjoy my breakfasts here with a lady from England. The next day I travel by train to Stresa to visit the Borromean Islands and have a wonderful day. I don’t attempt Isola Bella – it did not appeal and it appeared difficult mobility wise.
I stop off at Isola dei Pescatori for a wander and morning tea served from a house around the back of the island. Traditional life is happening here and I like it. Then onto Isola Madre (greeted at the jetty by an Australian eucalypt!) and there are amazing gardens, wandering peacocks and a display of the puppetry theatre stages and equipment that the Borromean family used. An Australian couple I chat with here say they had been on Isola Bella the day before and there were so many people there they thought the island may sink! He is also desperate for some vegetables to eat.
I return to Isola dei Pescatori for a fabulous lunch and relaxation. I love this island. It’s a speck and a step back in time. That chap should have come here for lunch. Huge serve of fabulous fish and huge helping of wonderful vegetables. I share my vegetables with a “determined to feed himself” toddler at the next table. He can spear these rather than end up flicking spaghetti in frustration. It’s not affecting me but his uncle is not impressed. His mother catches up with me as I queue for the boat to thank me. Turns out she is a local who lives on this island. Not many do. Lucky her!
The next day is rest, pack and organise for trip to Rome and flight home. I resist the urge to bus to Bergamo for the day. I need to be fit for a BIG plane trip.
First, I’m off to the railway station to check I have assistance on trains for trip Milano to Rome. The Tirano experience has made me nervous. This worked really well. He has a computer program which translates. I key in, he keys in and we converse. Yes my booking is already in place for assistance tomorrow.
With this communication device I’m able to recount my difficulty with the Tirano to Milano trip and what the conductor had said. He checks and the booking I had made in Milan on my way to Switzerland for assistance when I arrived in Milan on the Tirano train had been in place and there was no strike. He apologises for Trenitalia. He comes down in the lift with me and organises exactly where I am to present myself the next day to be collected by the assistance people. I admire the railway station. He credits Mussolini. During my days in Milan I had mapped out the most efficient route to get my luggage to the station (with that dog collar). I’m a woman with experience now.
Tonight I’m watching the soccer. I’m becoming a fan because of the European Cup! I’m barracking for the Italians.
Tomorrow I’m off to Rome and Australia.
I’m going home!
I’m collected from downstairs at Milano station and escorted to the waiting room and then onto the train to Roma Termini through Florence. It’s an interesting trip.
When I’m assisted off the train at Rome I go downstairs in the lift and store my luggage as I have plenty of time to get to the airport. I’m deciding between bus, taxi or Leonardo di Vinci train to Fiumicino airport. I like the sound of the train but need to check it out. I watched the Leonardo di Vinci trains to see if I could use one of these to get to Fiumicino Aeroporta to fly home later in the day. It appears that every second train has steps, every other does not. I decide I can handle the ones without steps.
I buy a ticket from ticket machine avoiding the lurking undesirables and “assistants” at ticket machines. This means I do not need to join a very long queue. I have lunch and wander about so that my legs have some exercise. I notice the same homeless people, gypsies etc are there as when I was here last month and they are doing exactly the same things. When I’m ready I collect my luggage, sit myself down on my seat and watch the trains. I wait for a train with steps to come and go, stamp my ticket, sit down again and wait for the next train. Bingo! I’m on and have a seat.
I check in at Fiumicino Aeroporta. I’m wondering if I’m about to be accused of illegal entry since my passport has not been looked at in Italy or Switzerland. Very puzzled looks at my passport which shows no evidence to my eyes of my ever having been anywhere since Austria in 2007. It’s passed to another, they look at each other, shrug their shoulders and give me my passport.
I have been having more difficulty with my back recently. But I am still mobile because for the last 5 days I have been taking a major painkiller I had with me (I only had 6). I organise assistance onto the plane. I’m assisted also in Dubai. I take the last one when we leave Dubai.
Because I have two very large people beside me from Dubai I do not have a comfortable trip. I arrive in Perth and pass straight through customs.
I’m home!
I’ve had a wonderful time and met wonderful people along the way.
I did it my way!
THE NEXT DAY I OPEN THAT ENVELOPE, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY.
The ones I can put up on line are:
Almost everything I have hurts and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work
Word of the day: Exhaustipated
Some mornings it’s best to just fill the sink with coffee, dunk your head in it and suck
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (that’s an oldy)
AND MY FAVOURITE:
If Plan “A” didn’t work. The alphabet has 25 more letters! Stay cool
The end of my Italy saga
BUT writing this has made me homesick for Italy!
I had a great time in Switzerland too.
Ciao!
Today Milan is simply being used as my entry to Switzerland. This is my 27th day in Italy. I intend to spend 3 weeks in Switzerland before returning to Milan from Tirano. I will spend a few days in Milan and day trip to the Borromean Islands. Then a train from Milan to Rome to fly home on the same day.
I arrive in Milan. Whatever my hostess in B&B in Bergamo said appears to have turned me into a VIP. A wonderful guy collects my luggage into one hand with a beaming smile, offers me his arm and takes me to the waiting room. I have time to spare ahead of the train to Switzerland. I already have my international ticket which I booked and paid for in Oz and printed in Padua. I organise assistance for when I arrive back in Milan from Tirano (regional train) and assistance for train from Milan to Rome for my flight home. Since a kiosk is nearby, I secure my luggage to the seat and I fetch a drink and food for lunch.
I ensure I have my passport at hand in case I need to produce it somewhere – I’m never asked for it. I’m assisted onto train and I’m off to Brig in Switzerland. I am purchasing a Swiss Pass for travel at Brig and then travelling onto my accommodation in Spiez. Tomorrow I’m off to Zurich for the day.
Towards the end of my stay in Switzerland I forward my larger piece of luggage to Tirano rail station (12CHF) and taking my small roller/backpack. I move around in Switzerland (Willem Tell Express, later Palm Express bus) ending with catching the Bernina Express to Tirano.
Six days after forwarding my luggage I collect it at Tirano, and purchase a ticket to Milan. Note: I was aware I needed to do this before the staff went on lunch break. I’m assisted onto the train at Tirano by station staff and they alert the conductor to the fact that I need assistance at Milan. Unfortunately, later, the conductor is in a bad mood because he is having an argument with a young person who is travelling without a ticket. He informs me there will be no assistance. I do not have the language skills to inform him that it has been already booked at Milan. Maybe there is a strike? I decide to err on the side of caution and assume that I will have no assistance. When I arrive in Milan a helpful stranger helps me off the train. It takes some navigation to exit Milan station. I can’t use travelators with luggage in one hand and walking stick/seat in the other hand. I find the lift and the correct exit.
I have chosen a budget hotel with a single room in Milan since I will only be here 3 nights and I am almost home. It’s perfectly adequate to my needs, close to the station and with a good breakfast. I enjoy my breakfasts here with a lady from England. The next day I travel by train to Stresa to visit the Borromean Islands and have a wonderful day. I don’t attempt Isola Bella – it did not appeal and it appeared difficult mobility wise.
I stop off at Isola dei Pescatori for a wander and morning tea served from a house around the back of the island. Traditional life is happening here and I like it. Then onto Isola Madre (greeted at the jetty by an Australian eucalypt!) and there are amazing gardens, wandering peacocks and a display of the puppetry theatre stages and equipment that the Borromean family used. An Australian couple I chat with here say they had been on Isola Bella the day before and there were so many people there they thought the island may sink! He is also desperate for some vegetables to eat.
I return to Isola dei Pescatori for a fabulous lunch and relaxation. I love this island. It’s a speck and a step back in time. That chap should have come here for lunch. Huge serve of fabulous fish and huge helping of wonderful vegetables. I share my vegetables with a “determined to feed himself” toddler at the next table. He can spear these rather than end up flicking spaghetti in frustration. It’s not affecting me but his uncle is not impressed. His mother catches up with me as I queue for the boat to thank me. Turns out she is a local who lives on this island. Not many do. Lucky her!
The next day is rest, pack and organise for trip to Rome and flight home. I resist the urge to bus to Bergamo for the day. I need to be fit for a BIG plane trip.
First, I’m off to the railway station to check I have assistance on trains for trip Milano to Rome. The Tirano experience has made me nervous. This worked really well. He has a computer program which translates. I key in, he keys in and we converse. Yes my booking is already in place for assistance tomorrow.
With this communication device I’m able to recount my difficulty with the Tirano to Milano trip and what the conductor had said. He checks and the booking I had made in Milan on my way to Switzerland for assistance when I arrived in Milan on the Tirano train had been in place and there was no strike. He apologises for Trenitalia. He comes down in the lift with me and organises exactly where I am to present myself the next day to be collected by the assistance people. I admire the railway station. He credits Mussolini. During my days in Milan I had mapped out the most efficient route to get my luggage to the station (with that dog collar). I’m a woman with experience now.
Tonight I’m watching the soccer. I’m becoming a fan because of the European Cup! I’m barracking for the Italians.
Tomorrow I’m off to Rome and Australia.
I’m going home!
I’m collected from downstairs at Milano station and escorted to the waiting room and then onto the train to Roma Termini through Florence. It’s an interesting trip.
When I’m assisted off the train at Rome I go downstairs in the lift and store my luggage as I have plenty of time to get to the airport. I’m deciding between bus, taxi or Leonardo di Vinci train to Fiumicino airport. I like the sound of the train but need to check it out. I watched the Leonardo di Vinci trains to see if I could use one of these to get to Fiumicino Aeroporta to fly home later in the day. It appears that every second train has steps, every other does not. I decide I can handle the ones without steps.
I buy a ticket from ticket machine avoiding the lurking undesirables and “assistants” at ticket machines. This means I do not need to join a very long queue. I have lunch and wander about so that my legs have some exercise. I notice the same homeless people, gypsies etc are there as when I was here last month and they are doing exactly the same things. When I’m ready I collect my luggage, sit myself down on my seat and watch the trains. I wait for a train with steps to come and go, stamp my ticket, sit down again and wait for the next train. Bingo! I’m on and have a seat.
I check in at Fiumicino Aeroporta. I’m wondering if I’m about to be accused of illegal entry since my passport has not been looked at in Italy or Switzerland. Very puzzled looks at my passport which shows no evidence to my eyes of my ever having been anywhere since Austria in 2007. It’s passed to another, they look at each other, shrug their shoulders and give me my passport.
I have been having more difficulty with my back recently. But I am still mobile because for the last 5 days I have been taking a major painkiller I had with me (I only had 6). I organise assistance onto the plane. I’m assisted also in Dubai. I take the last one when we leave Dubai.
Because I have two very large people beside me from Dubai I do not have a comfortable trip. I arrive in Perth and pass straight through customs.
I’m home!
I’ve had a wonderful time and met wonderful people along the way.
I did it my way!
THE NEXT DAY I OPEN THAT ENVELOPE, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY.
The ones I can put up on line are:
Almost everything I have hurts and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work
Word of the day: Exhaustipated
Some mornings it’s best to just fill the sink with coffee, dunk your head in it and suck
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (that’s an oldy)
AND MY FAVOURITE:
If Plan “A” didn’t work. The alphabet has 25 more letters! Stay cool
The end of my Italy saga
BUT writing this has made me homesick for Italy!
I had a great time in Switzerland too.
Ciao!
