Hello, it's me (harriet) again first but are splitting this blog evenly! WE're in a hotel in Verona, and it's lush here, but we're both feeling that hostel provide much better value for money than hotels! nothing is free here, and the hostel that we stayed in last night was so lush (had own bathroom and spacious room between us). Maybe we shoudl have stayed in a scank place last night! ay well, the security of the room is good, we can leave our stuff there no probs, and there's a safe. Bathroom is marble and pretty but no bath so what's the point!? Probably a good thing that we had something to look forward too though, even if it's not the paradise i expected! still very good tho. passing you on to helen who may have a more optimistic view of things...!

The hotel is very nice - v modern decor etc. - but i am a bit annoyed that they had the cheek to charge us to use the internet when we are paying 75 euros each for the privillege of staying here! We tried to celebrate by bringing back a 99 cent bottle of white wine from the supermarket - italian supermarkets are absolutely fab by the way - but then we realised that we didn't have a cork screw! trioed to open it with a knife, but that was not successful and i managed to cut my finger a bit - don't worry parents, it is not a big injury!! It is still great to have the excuse to lounge about in the room for the whole evening. We bought a huge feast in the supermarket of caramel shortbread, nectarines etc. We had to change all of our travel plans for the next few days when we realised that the train jourenys were going to bit a bit of a problem and quite expensive, and that it would actually be more sensible to go to geneva first, and then Lyon. So we are spending friday night in geneva next to the lake, then Saturday and Sunday in Lyon. we have now booked up all of our hostels, so we really ave the sense that the trip is coming to an end *sniff*. We didn't really do much in verona apart form wandering around admiring the buildings and the awesome surrounding scenery, as well aas dodging torrential downpours! We wnt to the opera last night in the amphitheatre, which was a great experience - no mikes or anything, and a live orchestra - but it was called off after an hour when the thunder and lightening started! Still, we were there long enough to absorb the atmosphere - lots of people were holding candles in the open air - and take lots of photos, and we weren't folling the plot at all anyway! we are both very taken by the people of verona who all seem so kind and obliging. we have been given several unneccessary discounts and have been treated with a lot more trust than young people tend to inspire elsewhere in the world. will stop ramblign now. love Helen xxxx