weird happenings

Today is our last day in Turin and a couple of weird things have happened today. All week Sally and I have been wondering about the hotel's conceirge. The same guy is always on no matter what time of the day. When we came down this morning to the reception it turned out that there was in fact two of this guy - ie twins.

 

The second thing that happened was that when I was returning to the hotel I noticed a group (around 20) of very excited italians. I walked over for some closer inspection and found there was some gambling going on. They were playing that game (I have only ever seen it in the movies) where there are three non-transperent cups which tey qicly move around and you have to bet which cup has a bead underneath it. I watched this for about 5 minutes as there were some huge amounts of money being bet ($200-$300 Euro).. When all of a sudden I was asked to guess (even though I hadn't placed a bet) which cup had the bead underneath it. I guessed correctly and the dealer waveda couple of hundred euro a me and then everyone started looking at me and chanting that I should bet. As I was trying to think of a way out of this as it semed very dodgy, the dealer very quiclky whipped up his cups, table etc and made like the wind and the crowd scattrered very quickly. The next minute two italian police officers stroll around the corner.

 

Overall our stay has been awesome in Turin and we are lòooing forward to travelling to France.

 

Ciao

Ciao

This week has been great in Turin. I feel as though I have walked all over this city, through its narrow streets. I have just got back from a lovely meal ( I had swordfish which was awesome).

 

I have visted lots of museums and churches which have been spectacular. Sal and I also visited the enormous food market they have here ( see the video). It is a crazy place with all of the vendors yelling out italian trying to sell their products. It seems to get louder and louder as if they are competing. Also at this market they have some fruit/veges that we don't get in NZ so we had some fun trying out those. Also earlier in the week we were served gelati by a women who is from Christchurch. So we had a little "its a small world moment". Yesterday I decided to go to a couple of palaces and vantage points on top of this hill. I finally got to the top after an hours walk in the hot sun to find out they were closed. Unfortunately I don't know any swear words in italian. Today we visted the main park in Turin which is beautiful and took it easy as it was a very hot day.

 

Tomorrow I am off to visit the Duke of Savoys Palace!

 

Ciao

 

Turin

Yesterday we arrived in Turin after a five hour train journey. Last night was awesome as we strolled around Turin with Sally's boss. It was a gorgeous night and we ended up having dinner at this awesome seafood restaurant. The food was great although the wine was very dodgy - I'm not a fan of fizzy chilled red wine. We dined outside in a big square wher different performers would come around and do their thing. We had a range of acts with the guy singing opera being the highlight.Today t is a balmy 28 degrees. Turin is a great city to explore by foot as there are not many tourists, the main sights are within walking distance and it is easy to get around. So while Sally is off working today I have been strolling around the city and trying to eat as much gelati as possible.

Even hotter now

Yesterday and today have been 38 degrees. We have spent the last two days in central Florence which is very crazy at the moment because it is so busy. Yesterday we visited a an old hospital/ convent which was very beutiful. We also visited the Medici crypt which is spectacular with large marble rooms with lots of decorations. Today we went to the Bagello which had many sculptures by Michaelango and Dante. Also we walked through the main square and on to the old bridge (Ponte Vecchio). Yesterday we also went for a stroll around Malmantile (where we are staying) which is in the tuscan hills.

The beach

Today we visited the beach at Rosignano. It was described by my relaties as a tranquil place. It is very different to a beach in NZ where we had to pay to go to this part of the beach. It seems from observation that the amin resason for most italians going to the beach was to work on their tans as there was hardly anyone swimming.

 

Also driving to this place was a mission as italian drivers are crazy. Petrol is very expnsive over here as it is $2.70 per litre (NZ dollars) so we don't have much to complain about.

 

ciao

Man its hot

Well the last two days have been 35 degrees! Yesterday we visited
Sienna which is an old tuscan city with many of its historical
features still in tact. The two photos are of Sienna. The first one is
of the main square where they have an annual horse race going back
hundreds of years around the outside of the square. The second photo
is of the duomo in Sienna which is a very impressive building. We did
not go inside as we have been in there before and the line was 1 hour
long in the blazing hot sun.

The beach

Today we visited the beach at Rosignano. It was described by my relaties as a tranquil place. It is very different to a beach in NZ where we had to pay to go to this part of the beach. It seems from observation that the amin resason for most italians going to the beach was to work on their tans as there was hardly anyone swimming.

 

Also driving to this place was a mission as italian drivers are crazy. Petrol is very expnsive over here as it is $2.70 per litre (NZ dollars) so we don't have much to complain about.

BonJourno

Well we have finally arrived in Florence and man it is hot - 33 degrees and 90% humidity. Yesterday we went to Pisa and saw the tower and church there. My uncle and auntie have been gracious hosts as usual and the food has been magnifico. Today we went to a clothes market and I bought heaps of funky clothes - Sal bought nothin. We had a quite a big mix up with my relatives today (they don't speak english). They asked us something about "gelateria" not sure if thats the right spelling. Now I thought I knew enough italian to know that this is place that sells one of my favourite things which is ice cream. It being hot and all Sally and I expressed our excitement and so off we went. So off we went and were led by my auntie into a women's lingerie shop. Sal and I were standing there wondering what the heck is going on here. The next thing we know the shop assistant is pulling out various underwear garments and all we want is ice cream! It turns out that the word gelateria means women's lingerie .)

This afternoon we are of to San Minato which looks like a fortified tucan town from a distance - so it should be good.