Bongiorno! And a belated "bonjour", too, actually, since I didn't get to post from France!

[kimana517]

So. Having a phone with wifi is great. Finding out that major European cities such as Paris and Rome have virtually no free wifi hotspots if you don't have a password is not. That's why I haven't been around. We found a grand total of ONE place in Paris where we could get online - on the steps of the Pantheon, which was not only several subway stops from ours, it was a good hike (up hill) after that. In Rome we found none, so we ended up paying at an internet place, but all my time was used up doing necessary things + Facebook status update. But we are in Florence, Italy now, in the best hostel we have stayed in (thanks for the rec, Suzy!), that not only has free wifi (since I have the password), but also a computer w/ internet in the room. Hello, world!

We have done and seen far too much to tell you right now, because we have to wake up a little early to get a bit of last minute sightseeing in here in Florence before taking the slow train (hey, it's 40 Euro cheaper!) back to Rome tomorrow to then fly to Athens, Greece in the evening. I just wanted to let y'all know we're alive and well. Let me think of a few things to mention though for now...

I've liked every place more than I thought I would. Our first day in Paris was not so great, but the following 3 were excellent. Caen, France was definitely a highlight. Part of that is due to the city and its surroundings, but much of it is also do to having friends there. I met dramaticsuzy and 2 of her friends, and we stayed with some people who previously were strangers (I found them on couchsurfing.com) and became friends. My other favorite place is probably here in Florence, specifically today, as we took a tour of the Tuscan countryside and 3 towns (Siena, San Gimignago, and Pisa) and had an amazing lunch at an organic farm. Every single thing we ate was made there, except for the cheese. We're talking pasta, ham, wine, olive oil, bread, salami, beef, tomatoes, salad, etc. It was amazing. If only that part of Tuscany had an ocean beach, I would move there.

I had a great birthday in Rome. We went to the Vatican, and the Pope threw me a parade! Well, it didn't have my name on the banner, but I know that's what it was for. Then we went to see the Colosseum at night, and there was a free concert by a band we'd never heard of (Monte Carlo Fire), but really liked. The signs claimed it was for the Champions Festival (apparently a huge deal to the futbol crowd, so I guess we're honored to have been there), but I know it was actually to celebrate my birthday. We celebrated by getting dinner at a restaurant, and by my getting the biggest waffle cone of gelato that the gelateria had. It was great. I have to say though, I'm one of those people who loves my own birthday, and having all the attention, so to be away from all my family and friends except Isaac was kinda sad and lonely. I did get many sweet Facebook greetings though, and of course an email from my mom. I'm crossing my fingers for cards and/or gifts at home, but trying not to get my hopes up because it is very unlikely.

Oh, I have so many things I want to tell you about! I guess it will have to wait till we return, unless by some miracle our hotel in Greece has internet. I have tons of pictures to share too, of course. These include the following series: "Isaac & Bethany Eating Gelato", "Isaac & Bethany's Heads Blocking Famous Monuments", and "Pictures Taken at Angles that Will Make Hanging Them Difficult but They Look AWESOME". And, uh, I am not joking about any of those. (Although I will consider shortening the last one to PTaAtWMHTDbTLA. Hehehehe.)

We have also recorded several videos that we would have put on YouTube if we could ever find free wifi. I guess I will just have to upload them when we get home and you can watch them if you wish, although watching them all in one sitting will be much more difficult than one at a time as we take them. *sigh*

Anyway. I need to go to bed. But I miss you all, and I can't wait to see Greece!

Comments

[chestnutcurls.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday! I thought of you and how much fun you must be having. I can't wait to hear more about all these things! :D ♥

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope you can in to some/all of there places someday. We've been having a blast. I miss you guys though!

[lady-ermina.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the update and a belated Happy Birthday to you. Sounds like you're having a blast! :D

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yep, we're pretty much on the trip of a lifetime, and enjoying every minute of it!

[silver-nyssa.livejournal.com]

Happy belated birthday!!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

thanks!

[dramaticsuzy.livejournal.com]

I am SO glad that you like the hostel in Florence. The staff was just wonderful and helpful.

It was awesome meeting you and Isaac! You two are so much fun and so easy to talk to! I hope I can hang out with you again and have more time to just hang out rather than go from place to place.

Also, how much are you loving the gelato???

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

we have a few stories from that hostel, which I'll tell you later. :-)

Dude, the lunch on the castle lawn w/ you guys is one of the highlights of our trip. It was so great to finally meet you! I hope to see you again soon.

We had gelato more than every day we were in Italy! Yeah... We are pigs!

[asoulinbliss.livejournal.com]

Awww, you should have asked me before you went--I know tons of places in Paris with free wifi. All McDonalds have it, and I often found that a good cup of coffee and some internet fixed any day. :) Then all the mairies do, many libraries, and many public parks. Oh well. Next time. I'm glad you had some good days in Paris . . . she is magnificent!

[asoulinbliss.livejournal.com]

And of course, happy belated birthday!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

thanks!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

My phone picked up a zillion wifi networks, but not one at McD's - and we tried a few of them. The only library we were ever near was closed so when the internet came up it said since the library was closed I couldn't use it. The parks always gave me an error message or didn't work at all. Alas! I was starting to think it was something wrong with my phone, but I got it fine in England, from the Peace Museum in Caen, from the Pantheon in Paris, here at this hostel, etc., and I never saw anyone else on laptops at any of those places in Paris that should have wifi (but in my experience don't), so I don't think it was just me.

And we couldn't bring ourselves to pay 3 Euro for a shot glass of coffee, so the only coffee we had in France was from Starbucks! LOL! They weren't much more expensive than in the USA, and the sizes were the same.

But thanks for the help! I did like it there, more than I expected, especially after the first day.

[asoulinbliss.livejournal.com]

Huh, that's so weird because I used wifi all over and never had any trouble. Also, don't underestimate the "shotglasses of coffee" -- in my experience they were a lot stronger than American coffee!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

hmm. That's so weird! Oh well.

True, the coffee is much stronger there, but I don't drink coffee for caffeine, I drink it for the normal flavor and the experience of it, so for of, the more, the better. :-) But what coffee I did have in France was very good. Overall, I liked France more than I thought I would. I would love to in back someday!

[t-jay.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're having so much fun! And happy belated birthday!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

thanks!

[princessmia241.livejournal.com]

Sooooooo jealous! Can't wait to see pics!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

there will be plenty of them to see! Are you having fun living with Jenna?

[princessmia241.livejournal.com]

It's been awesome, I don't want to go back home haha!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

Well, keep in mind you can visit any time you want when we're there! And if you want to stay the night that's fine too. I think sometimes our house was like a sanctuary for Sarah. Obviously your house isn't prison-esque now like it was then, but living with 10 other people has to get old sometimes. =o)

[princessmia241.livejournal.com]

I think it was too :P
Yeah, not near so "prison-esque," but yes lots of kiddies can get old....

[arien-o-lindele.livejournal.com]

Wow, sounds like awesome times!! Glad to hear you're safe and having a great trip!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

it is and we are! I miss LJ-land though.

[modmerseygirl.livejournal.com]

Hello, darling! :-) I have been thinking of you and wondering how you were doing. I am so glad that you're having the trip of a lifetime! Wish I could be there with you. *hugs* I hope your birthday was AMAZING (it sure sounds special!). You were definitely on my mind! You do have at least one giftie waiting for you at home. :-) (I'm not telling you what it is, but you can probably guess!)

Can't wait to see all your pictures!!! Take care and have a beautiful rest of the week. :-) Much love! xoxo!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

it definitely has been the trip of a lifetime. I'm so glad! And yes, it was a birthday to remember. :-)

Really?! Hooray!! I bet it's that CD you've been telling me not to buy, right? I hope so! Thanks for whatever it is!

I miss you!

[modmerseygirl.livejournal.com]

Aww! I am so glad and excited for you! *hugs tightly* I can't wait to read all about your trip and see all the beautiful photos you've taken. :-)

Yes, that's what it is! *grins* It's waiting for you when you get home! I hope you'll love it. :-)

I miss you, too!

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

I was just missing you and wondering how your trip was going! Can't WAIT to see the pics and you know I'll look at all of them. :-)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

I miss you too! No, really! This trip is amazing, but there are many things I miss, not the least of which are my friends! I've taken a TON of ribs, so I won.it hold you to that! :-)

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

LOL! that's what I get for typing via T9 and not proofreading. Uh, I've taken a lot of PICS. I still have just the same # of ribs as I left home with.

[katharhino.livejournal.com]

Heeeee... I am so relieved that your ribs are in fact remaining constant in number.

I looked at ALL of Alanna's hundreds of pics of Rome. I have a lot of patience when it comes to great scenery.

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

Sounds like an awesome time! I'm so glad you're having fun and getting lots of pictures. :D Enjoy Greece!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

It is, I am, I have been, and so far, so good! :-)

[bluiidmommy.livejournal.com]

Oh, and happy belated birthday!

[kimana83.livejournal.com]

thanks!