Unforgettable Florence

Just a quick note folks. I tried to go to Cinque Terre today; I even made it all the way to Pisa by train but it was cold and rainy and I couldn’t find a connecting train to La Spezia so I just rode back to Florence and hung out at the Hostel till the rain stopped. I will try again tomorrow because I know you all want pics of Cinque Terre.

Florence I just what the doctor ordered. A perfect mix of wild and chill to fit my style. I hooked up with my old friend Christina and her family for some nightlife last night. The wine is like $6 US here for the good stuff and I think I have drank my weight in bottles since I have been here. And the best part is no hangover yet! There is just so much to see that I have not even scratched the surface yet. And believe me, I have been going non-stop for 3 days since I got here. MichelAngelo’s David, The Duomo, Uffizi Musem. It’s a tough life. I have also been eating non-stop. One thing I will say about Italy is they love their bread here. I will be going on strike for anything that contains flour for at least a month when I get back to Vegas. Not that I haven’t enjoyed it but give gluten a rest and throw some salads on the menu for Pete’s SAKE!

All is well ya’ll. I have one more day here then it is off to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany which I guess is like Spring Break for Europeans this time of year. I don’t have a room reserved yet and I understand the whole city is booked. So I guess I will have to rely on my winning personality and dumb luck for a barn or outhouse to sleep in on Sunday night. Viva le backpacking! Pray for me.

Love and stuff,

Miguel

Roaming around Roma…

Hi Family! I miss you guys. It’s Wednesday 4pm. I have just arrived in Florence via train. It’s a gorgeous sunny day, about 80 degrees.

I’m bloody exausted! I was extremely surprised to see what a rat-race Rome is. I have never had to dodge so many cars, mopeds, tourists and bums in all my life combined. I managed to see some sights though. Even with a hangover left from the pub crawl I did with a fun bunch nuts the night before. My favorite site was the Sistene Chapel. The only thing was once they wind you and thousands of others through 2 or 3 miles of narrow marble corridors filled with paintings, frescos, sculptures and mosaics (for which I have many photos) you just want to see the friggin’ chapel already! But the worst part is once you get to the chapel itself (which is quite impressive) they tell you not to take pictures!!!! And it’s packed with tourists and there is a miltilingual message being shouted over the PA telling you over and over, not to take pictures. I was not amused.

I must have walked 20 plus miles yesterday through all that madness. The Basilica was cool (and HUGE!!). I thought of my Momma the whole time I was in there. She’s a hardcore Catholic and would really appreciate seeing where the Pope chills. Plus the Colosseum and Pantheon were nice as well…. 

I managed to meet some great folks from all over in my Hostel. Hostel life isn’t bad for the most part (if you don’t mind sharing with mostly young strangers). The one in Amsterdam was sort of a funky, eclectic one called Flying Pig Uptown which I loved. The one in Rome was ok except the breakfast all hostels usually provide sucked there at the Allesandro. And I slept in the bottom bunk which really felt like I was in a coffin. But it looks like the Florence hostel I just checked in to is much nicer. It even has a pool and rooftop bar! 

So that pretty much does it for Roma! I have been keeping a diary of my travels and will be adding much more meat to these stories once I get home and get caught up on some sleepies, cause I am seriously sleep deprived from showing these youngsters how we do it in Vegas baby! 

Aeon, the pack is holding up nicely my friend.. Hope all is well at the ranch. Give Jana a hug for me. I will see you all in a week!

Ciao with love,

Miguel

Bienvenutti il Lago de Como

2:30pm Sunday Sept. 14, 2008 – Hi there!

One of the things I always wanted to do was see Lake Como. I didn’t realize it was so close to Milan so I once I landed there I hit the train station on a whim and now I am living one of my of my wildest dreams! This has got to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I arrived in Como late Saturday night and walked around for a solid 2 hours in the rain with my luggage trying to find a place to sleep, but everything was booked near the lake. I finally climbed on a city bus and found a great little place (Hotel Milano). This is what can happen when traveling on a whim. The conditions aren’t always going to be ideal but I did learn that keeping calm and positive can yield some fantastic results.

I wish you all could see this. I am in an internet cafe facing the water and the super green and lush Italian Alps, enjoying a cappucino. Well, I have to catch a boat tour which is sure to be a highlight of my life’s voyage! I’m dying to post some pictures but apparently Europe doesn’t believe in that sort of thing. I will figure something out………..

Wish you all were here. Ciao!

Michael Angelo

Amsterdam and Me

Hello Peeps!

It’s almost 11am on September 13th. It’s probably about 3 or 4 am for you all.

I have to tell you that I any expectations I might have had have been far exceeded here in Amsterdam. It’s like San Francisco except you can smoke ganja in the streets! I have been having an absolute blast and think I have died and gone to heaven. I checked out all the touristy stuff like Anne Franke house, Van Gogh museum and even a wax museum.  I have met some of the coolest people too. One of which has become my travel buddy named Kristy from Canada don’t you know. We have been like peas and carrots just walking everywhere and drinking ourselves silly. The weather had been sunny and warm the first few days but cold and rainy yesterday. I’m really in awe of how many beautiful people there are here. I guess I figured there would be alot of strung out looking people or thought they would all be really fat cause they would constantly have the munchies; but no! Everyone here is naturally freakin’ HOT!! But I digress- Sorry no pics yet. Their computers don’t have a way for me to get them off my camera so far (Chandra!) hehheh…. But stay tuned family, I’m just getting started. Off to Milan, Italy this afternoon and will report much more soon!   

Ciao with all my love,

Miguel

Europe Trip Preparations

This is my 1st attempt at blogging and I’m doing it as an easy way to keep connected to family and friends while I’m wandering around Europe. I hope you enjoy my exploits as much I think I will enjoy having them.. Simply click on the latest thread (which is always on top) and see what I’m up to! I’m leaving Vegas on the 9th and arriving in Amsterdam on the night of the 10th. Once I get settled in I will post my 1st installment…

Ciao,

Michael Vitone