Hi Readers,
Well we have really settled in quickly to our trip and if the past two days are anything to go by, we will be totally wasted within a week or so!!
That first long flight of 13 hours is an absolute killer, so it was great to get it over with first. The second flight of 7 hours didn't seem as bad as we had seats that were a little more comfy.
We got into Milan early in the morning and when we got off the plane it was straight onto a bus to a train station to catch a train to Reggio Emelia.
This was one of the fast trains, and when they say fast they really mean it!!
This trip registered a top speed of 300 kms at one stage!!
Reggio Emilia is a city of about 185 000 people, but the reason we came here is so that Jen could show me some of the places she spent time at a few years ago while on a study tour. Imagine how disappointed we were to find that the International Centre was closed and we could not get in to see more about the education practices advocated by Loris Malaguzzi so many years ago.
It was still great though to wander around and see his influence in so many areas of the city.
We were walking around the streets and it just seemed so empty, then we realised that many of them close for a few hours in the afternoon then re-open later and trade into the evening. It was around 5.00 that the streets really started to fill again, and it was great to just wander around and soak up the atmosphere.
The extremely helpful staff at our digs even found a good place for us to eat nearby and made a booking for us for dinner.
Now, because they all seem to have a little rest during the afternoon, they tend to have a bit more life in the evening. Our booking was made for 8.00 pm which at first we thought would be okay, but as the afternoon wore on we became more aware that we would struggle to make it.
It gets dark here just after 5.00, so already it feels late.
I was also incredibly tired as I hadn't slept much at all on the plane and I was walking around like a zombie! I thought a session in the gym would help, but even that was a struggle. I think I lasted just on half an hour, and it felt like a real waste as I just had no energy at all.
Jen and I went out for a walk then headed back to our digs as it was getting so cold outside. We still had three hours to kill before dinner, and I told Jen that if we stayed in our room there was no way I could stay awake and that I'd most likely fall asleep.
She wasn't feeling much better either, so we thought we'd duck downstairs to the bar for a drink to help stay awake.
No luck there!
After a little while we decided to order room service, which consisted of two frozen meals that hit the spot perfectly.
I reckon that after I ate it and cleaned my teeth I was asleep, and this was only at about 7.00!!!
Never had I looked forward to hitting the sack so much, I was absolutely knackered, and it was the best sleep ever!!
This morning we woke up to a glorious morning, sunny and extremely cold.
We had to catch a train to Florence mid morning, but I'll mention that in my next post.
Strolling through an avenue of trees just outside our digs in Reggio Emilia.
A standard street in the part of the city where we stayed. The photo just doesn't capture the unique feel of the city.
Shutters on nearly all of the buildings, many of which also have their washing hanging outside the building.
Believe it or not, this is the main shopping street mid-afternoon. Most shops close between about 1.30-3.30, then the place comes to life again.
Another narrow winding street.
Not only are the streets narrow, but cars don't seem to slow down at all. Loads of bikes everywhere, and also motor scooters which just rule the roads.
While Jen was in the bank I was waiting at the door and managed to get this shot of a clock in one of the many Piazzas.
And in another Piazza a few minutes walk away, another great old clock tower.
Early morning and the streets are starting to look busy already.
The age of some of these buildings is mind blowing.
In this street the photo shows only some of the Christmas decorations. They were on all four walls of this area.
The obligatory 'selfie' in front of the fountain lights in Reggio Emilia. This was at about 5.00 pm, showing how early it gets dark here.
And the square just a fe minutes later.
And the same square early this morning.
The view from our room early today. Last night there were people and families everywhere here, despite the cold weather.
We got off our train, and had to walk through the many people who get off at stations to have a quick dart before the train takes off again. This is serious 'speed smoking', I've never seen people so desperate and dedicated to their cause!!
More of the passengers who duck off for a quick fag while the train stops at a station.
It really has struck us how prevalent smoking is over here, the streets reek of it in some areas.
Our fast train, some of the smoothest travel I've ever experienced.
I was impressed when the driver got it up to 250 kmh...
Then when he got it to 270kmh I was rather impressed!
And at 300 kmh I thought he was just showing off!!!
Our casual after brekky stroll this morning. Breakfast is interesting here. I had the standard cereal and bacon and eggs, but also on off were lots of cakes that people eat with knives and forks as if they were a normal meal ( well it is normal over here I guess)
So that was our first day in Italy readers, and it can only get better from here.
Until my next post...
Cheers!
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