ITALY:

I spent 4 days in Italy, firstly 3 days in Rome and then a day in Pisa. I stayed with a couchsurfer in both cities (www.couchsurfing.com). So I'll start with Rome. Christian (couchsurfer) was busy during the days and worked evenings so I explored Rome on my own. I walked around the city almost everywhere in the 2.5 days I was there. I saw the main attractions such as the Colosseum, Vatican Museum, San Pietro Square and the Fontana di Trevi (fountain). It was so crazy the amount of people that were everywhere. Majority tourists of course. Every street you walked, every square you go to and every attraction there were people from all over the world! I took many many photos of everything as usual and had to get some people to take photos of me doing handstands! haha oh and the weather was beautiful, hot and sunny, all I was missing was a beach and a bbq and then it'll feel like home. Met some men (45+ ages) from the States and Canada (all brother-in-laws) who were travelling for a week or so. They were really nice and saw the pope the first day they were there. They also suggested places for me to go see and we had nice conversations walking along the river. Was nice to have a bit of company during my travels. Oh had a couple of italians asking if I was travelling alone and saying how pretty I was and I was like "oh I have to go meet a friend!" and then quickly walk away. haha and I met a woman from Equador when I was sitting by the fountain at Piazza Navona. She could only speak Italian and Spanish and I could speak none of them but we still managed to have a bit of conversation with body language and simple words. She was a lovely woman and we both (along with other people there) and proposal. It was so sweet, put a tear in my eye. The couple were there just kissing and then suddenly the guy was on one knee and saying something and then whips out the ring. Of course she said yes! It was so beautiful especially with the surroundings of the square and the well lit fountain in the backdrop... so lovely.

So moving along to Pisa. I stayed with a girl called Guilia who picked me up from the central train station and also came with me to the station the day I left. She was such a lovely person. The night I arrived we went for dinner (best pizza!) with her boyfriend and another friend who were both lovely people also. They even paid for my dinner! THANKS GUYS! We then walked around the city which were filled with students (student city) and people all out for the night. Like it was heaps, like a crowd! People everywhere on the streets having a good time. We went to Piazza dei Miracoli (Miracle Square) where the Leaning Tower resides to see it at night, a beautiful sight. And there were like no one around, it was so peaceful.

The next day we walked all around the city in a few hours. Guilia was my very own personal tour guide. She was great, telling me all about Pisa and taking me to the main attractions. Oh funny thing is the day was filled with also many people but mainly tourists. So it was like a switch of people (all the students were sleeping during the day). The square where the Leaning Tower is was filled with heaps of tourists and people and it was so funny seeing all the different ways people were posing for photos to give the illusion of pushing/holding/kicking/etc the tower. I am definitely going back to Pisa just to take photos of these people, it looks so funny. I didn't do any of that but did do my handstand. You have the opportunity to climb to the top of the tower but I didn't do it. Gives me an excuse to come back =p Anyways we walked around and saw some churches and other squares and walked through some pretty and small streets. Had a focaccia for lunch and met an American girl who lost her camera at the place where we had lunch. She had 3 months worth of travelling photos on that camera! I would so cry if that happened to me... but why would you leave 3 months of photos on your memory card??? I'd put it on a disk if I didn't have a computer with me.... oh wells s*** happens hey. Anyways we finished the day with a gelato, had to have ice cream in italy!

I really loved Pisa. It felt so homely and welcoming and it was so beautiful even with all the tourists everywhere. I don't know it just had this atmosphere about it and kept saying "come back again".... so I think I'll definitely be back. Plus I have to climb the tower and take more random photos. I didn't feel the same way about Rome. It's just too big and touristy and the atmosphere just felt like I don't know.... cold... Pisa felt warm. haha what am I writing?!?!? Anyways you should visit both cities still, they are lovely. Well next stop is Nice in France. I'm looking forward to laying on the beach and soaking in the sun... boo yea!