[written on the morning of July 4th]
Well, good morning, Italy. Last night I took a sleeper train (which I am still sitting on) from Vienna to Rome (where I am still headed). I’m trying to get to Florence. I was not aware that Florence comes before Rome. Guess who didn’t do so well in Geography: Meeeeee! Oh well. I get to spend a little extra money and a little extra time watching the beautiful Italian scenery roll by when I hop a train back to Florence. I’m not complaining a whole lot.
I thought about just jumping out at Florence, but something made me decide not to. Know why? I later realized that the train stewardess still has my very expensive Eurail Pass. Thank you, subconscious! That would have completely sucked. I also get to spend a couple more hours in the air-conditioning.
Last night I shared a car with these two really cute Austrian grandmas. They were really funny, especially since their English wasn’t so great and they kept asking me questions about my trip. Now, the way a sleeper car works (for those of you who don’t know) is there are bunk beds stacked about three high. My ticket said I had the bottom bed, but am I really going to make an old lady climb all the way to the top and hoist herself into bed? NO. So I offered to take the top and was looking forward to a night of good sleep without drunk people screaming outside my window. Pardon my French, but it was hot as BALLS up there last night. I couldn’t sleep at all even with the A/C turned up all the way. So, yet again, I was robbed of some well-deserved shuteye. I don’t think I’ve slept well since I’ve been out running around Europe on my own.
At least my ticket includes a free breakfast. That was a pleasant surprise.
