When In Rome

We got to Rome early this afternoon. Immediately we were in awe. There were ruins all along side the train tracks and ruins visible everywhere outside of the train station!

Our hotel is across the street from the station, but that's all it has going for it. It's the Hotel Marsala, and it is possibly the most run down hotel we've ever stayed in. Our room is on the fourth floor, right next to the shared bathroom. We booked a room ensuite, but for the guests who don't have a bathroom in their room...they use the one outside our door. All night. Our bathroom looks the same as it did probably 40 years ago. The toilet tank is on the wall near the ceiling and it takes 10 minutes (of really annoying dripping sounds) for it to fill back up after you flush. The bath/shower looks like it should be in a retirement home. It is a sit down basin with a hand sprayer. No curtain, so you have to try very hard not to soak the bathroom when you bathe. The sink only has hot water sometimes. The bed is essentially springs and a sheet. Its too big for the room so you have to climb over the bed to get back and forth from the bathroom. There is a cabinet/closet but the door is falling off of its hinges. The tv works great though. And we have a phone...which doesn't even ring reception. Our front door is paper thin, as are the walls. We could hear someones cell phone ringing two rooms down...and our room doesn't connect to anyone else's!! All in all its a really funny situation. But,its clean and its safe. So that's all we care about.

After checking in we bought a map and went on a Roman adventure. Maybe we are crazy, or maybe we were just excited...because we saw A LOT today!!

We started at the Culture & Heritage National Monument. Its the most massive building I have ever seen. Its pretty much all granite and done in ancient Roman style. Its really awesome.

Then we walked along the ruins of the Roman Forum. Best quote, "There are so many ruins! I don't know where to look!" That was Heather's reaction as soon as we came upon the forum.

At the end of the street we walked around the Colliseum. Unfortunately, it was closed today. I guess it has been closed for two days, but no one seems to know why. There was simply a sign that said "The colliseum is closed due to reasons outside one's control" We overheard someone saying it was due to rain over the last few days. It makes sense that if it were wet and lots of people walked around it would worsen the condition.

So heavy hearted we went back to the national monument and wandered around. Then it was off to the Pantheon. Which is REALLY big!! Wow! We walked around inside and enjoyed its ancient wonders.

Next stop was Trevi fountain. The infamous fountain for good luck. We each threw in a coin. The fountain is incredible!! There were so many people there though, we didn't stay long.

We went over to the Spanish steps and tooks pics. We didn't climb them, because there were (once again) too many people. Its ok, my knee was not interested in climbing anyway.

After all of the walking around we stopped for dinner. Every resteraunt offers a menu out front so you can decide if you want to eat there. Anytime we look over a menu Heather asks "Is there something you'd eat?" To which I always reply "Are we still in Italy!?" I mean pizza + pasta are my specialties!!

We finished dinner and made the long trek back to our hotel. We watched some CNN, (HURRAY FOR BRINGING THE TROOPS HOME!!). Then we were too tired to even journal for the day!!

At least I blogged...but now it is time to PASS OUT!!

Safe Travels,
- Kit & Heather

Hamburg Sucks

So Hamburg is off to a crappy start. We got in last night about 7:30, which is probably the earliest we've gotten to any of our hostels! We checked in and the lady is like "You know you are in seperate rooms right?" And I replied "umm, no...."

Apparently even though we booked 2 beds for 2 nights this place just puts you in ANY 2 beds. This is the same booking procedure we have used the whole trip and we are always in the same room, most of the time sharing the same bunk. So right off the bat I was pissed.

Then we went to my room (we are also on seperate floors!) And there was luggage and things everywhere. Its a 9 bed room, 3 bunks, 2 beds put together as a double, and an extra cot. Unlike any of the other hostels we've stayed at, this place doesn't assign your actually bed. So I took the only available bed which was a top bunk.

We went to Heather's room and found out not only did hers have TWO open beds, one person had checked in yesterday and leaves when we do, and they were travelling alone. So umm, why did they not get 301 and I get to stay in 513 with Heather??

We went to ask reception if I could switch to 513 since there was still an extra bunk. But the girl simply said "No we're full" and didn't even offer to look in the computer or anything!

We ended up staying in last night and just sat in the lobby for a while. We went to bed about 12:30a which is early for this trip. And planned to meet in the lobby at 10:00am (sleeping in!).

When I got to my room there was no one there, so I went to sleep easily. Then about 2am 4 loud, drunk girls came in. They were stumbling around in the dark and tripping over stuff. The one in the bunk next to me (the headboards touch) found my head in the dark and exclaimed "I found a bunny!" Then I shoved her and she screamed, followed by promptly passing out.

Back to sleep. Then at 4am someones phone started ringing. It rang for a good 15 minutes before I heard a guy answer it. He then started shouting obscenities and ran out of the room. Probably 20 minutes later he returned with 3 drunk guys, one of which was being drug on his back and was completely passed out.

The 4 of them drug the one guy over to the corner and he started throwing up on the floor, and himself. Another guy threw up in the bathroom. They loudly discussed whether the passed out guy was breathing or if he had alcohol poisioning...I suspect he did...

They finally shut up about 5ish. Then back to sleep. At 8am I awoke to the sound of one of the guys peeing on the floor by his bed. He simply sat up, dropped his pants and peed on the floor. He then passed out, sprawled across his bed, with his pants around his ankles. His junk in full view.

At this point I said "Screw it" and got up and got ready. I had my towel hanging up to dry from my shower last night, but I didn't want them to use it today for "clean up" so I hid it before leaving the room.

When I got out of the room I noticed there is a trail of vomit all the way down the hall and to the elevator.

I went to reception and told them about my night and begged to switch rooms. To which she said "oh wow, that is not right! But we're full."

So I have just beeing waiting around the lobby until Heather comes down at 10. Meanwhile I'll be looking for another place to stay, even if we loose what we already paid for tonight.

Welcome to Hamburg!

Safe Travels,
- Kit