Barcelona and Rome

Im in an internet cafe in central Rome at the moment on a computer with no USB (hence no photos for this post, but I promise them as soon as I can get the up), and a crazy keyboard that has all the punctuation and some letters in the wrong spots! So Ill do my best and excuse the lack of proper english punctuation etc!

So on Tuesday morning I flew to Barcelona from London and arrived about midday. It was so hot. Like 34 degrees and sunny! I found a hostel pretty quickly in the heart of the Bari Gotic quarter in Las Ramblas. This area is amazing! Its all tiny little cobblestones streets with little restaurants selling tapas and sangria. I dropped my things off in the hostel and just walked around all the streets and explored several cathederals dating from the 15th century and earlier. The waterfront area feels like there should be pirate ships and men with wooden legs and eye patches!

The next day I explored Gaudi°s works in much detail and wish I could show you photos! I also stuffed myself with spanish food and sangria.

I loved Barcelona but its such a party town that travelling by myself just didnt feel quite right, so I left after 3 days and caught the Grimaldi ferry to Rome. It took a little over 20 hours and was fantastic. I met some aussies and canadians on the boat and we all lazed on the pool deck in the sun and did nothing for a day which was fabulous! Im developing quite a tan now! Its been so warm here which I didnt expect.

Rome is great. The 5 of us all decided to stay at the same place in Rome to save some cash and have some people to hang out with. When we got off the train in Rome we had to find a metro station which is where the free shuttle to the camp site was going to be. It took us ages to find it and we ended up stopping for a beer to discuss options after an hour of looking carrying all our luggage! At one stage we asked a guy in a service station if he knew where it was and he gave us directions to go down a road, through a little square and turn down another road. Well we did, but the little square ended up being the vatican! So there we are, 3 Aussies and 2 Canadians, sunburned, in singlets and rolled up jeans and thongs with rucksacks wandering through the side entrance to the Popes front yard! We nearly fell over!

Im off to the Vatican tomorrow morning, and today Ill explore central Rome. Saw all the excavations around ancient Rome yesterday which was incredible. I have some great photos, but youll have to wait unfortunately! I think Ill head to Tuscany/Umbria tomorrow afternoon.

Till later!