The Misadventures of Miss B

I don't even know where to start... should I start with a description of the crystal clear vibrant waters of Dalmatia? Or the part where I come back from kayaking and biking around remote islands to find my camera is mysteriously missing?

Joy and grief- hand in hand.

After meeting Michelle in Athens, we headed out to the islands for some sun, and ended up huddled in jackets on the beaches for a few days, in between the two sunny ones! I felt quite grown up when I got to drive a rental car from beach to beach on one of those sunny days. Having a travel partner once again makes things like driving a beater-mini-Fiat much more fun.

Nostalgia hit in a bit in Athens when I finally caved and had my first Starbucks. It was amazing. I almost cried. Athens is almost amazing, but not quite as meaningful. The rooftop of our hotel overlooked, or I should say, underlooked the reigning Akropoli hill that towers above the cities wandering narrow streets that hug its base. Filled with history (and tourists) the acropolis is a work to behold. Its not difficult to imagine its political and religious activities looking up at the massive columns of the Parthenon. Its easy to understand the presence of idols and false gods looking at the massive temple of Nike and realize how easily they pass.

After two days in Athens, Dubovnik, Croatia is a rest; my favorite part of this segment, in spite of the drama of travelling for 27 hours straight (including a stop in the not so lovely port city of Bari Italy for 11 hours while waiting for a boat!). I love it. Water. Clean, stone streets. A city fortress of archaic stone hugged by the crystal clear brilliant water. History of war and peace. Trees clinging to cliffs plunging down to the water. Shrapnel freckled churches. Friendly, warm, vibrant hosts. Five star resorts awaiting repair.Very kind people (including the bartender who kept telling me not to cry about my camera and the amazing German kayakers that I went cruised with today). It feels like it could be home; it probably helps that we are lodging in a sobe, or a room in the home of lovely Renata, a Dubrovnik Old Town native. I will miss this place, and hopefully will return shortly, as soon as someone finds my camera!

Michelle and I head out for Bosnia tomorrow, the most unknown segment of the journey in a way. People have said nothing but positive things about Bosnia. I cannot wait for the adventure. For the next three weeks, I will be cruising around various parts of Bosnia and Croatia and then will head back to Italia to catch my flight home.

When in Rome do as who does??

Rome, ah the city of history and tourists. Quite a shock to the system after 2 weeks at Spannocchia living in a historic house surrounded by woods and pigs. It was hard to leave the farm, Berta (my piglet friend- who by the way LN, gave me the equivalent of a pig hug yesterday which I caught on camera!), and the interns who became "friendterns" to me over the past two weeks. I will always remember the sound of screeching pigs before feeding, the smell of the vineyards in the dewy morning and the feel of grapes squishing in my hand (or my mouth!) and think of my precious time at Spannocchia. The second week the instead of hanging out with pig legs, I had the quintessential Italian farm experience of working in the vineyards with Angelo, the quintessential Italian wine expert, and my new friendtern from Seattle. Some of my favorite memories became picnics of bread, cheese and fresh honey, sitting around the fire in Pulcinelli with the other interns, weekend adventures and cooking with the interns, and either cuddling with Berta on the loungechair or taking her for a walk-run through the Secret Garden.
I already miss the people from Spannocchia and the peace of a nature reserve, especially now that I have jumped into the chaos that is called Rome.

What is one to do in Rome when it is full of tourists? People say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" but who are the Romans???? I have yet to discover the real beauty of Rome; maybe this is because I am a lover of nature and quiet, or maybe its because I have only been here one day. It would be a great place to come with a tour group... I started Rome with getting lost, as usual, and ended up in jail with a priest from Latin America. No, not a real jail, just the cell that Peter miraculously escaped because angels broke down the door. After I strolled around the historic ruins of the Forum, Colloseum, and Palentino sneaking behind English or Spanish tour groups glean any sort of interesting information here and there.

A post Colleseum cafe and tiramisu gelato revived me enough to see the Basilica di Pietro (in Chains). Michaelangelo's Moses paired with a duo of singers practicing in the church made for a magnificient experience! To be honest, I missed having Rick Steves to guide me around today... but I did learn that there is a temple dedicated to Saturn, the god of chaos and disorder, in the Forum. Maybe this has something to do how chaotic the city is.

Tomorrow I will head to the Vatican and then spend the rest of the time walking around exploring free piazzas and churches. After a short siesta and run in the rain, I ate pasta at the hostel and ended up running into 3 girls from Seattle who actually lived with one of my friends! Tomorrow its off to the Vatican and then to wander the streets looking for interesting places (maybe to Trevi fountain). I will definitely be eating some more gelato before leaving for Greece...