Travels!

*needs editing but I wanted to post it...or I may never post it..*

So, a little late but I'll finally write a little about my 2 week long journey to the most westerly part of Europe.

Off to the station

It really leans!!

On August 18th I left from the Wien Meidling train station. Onward West I go! Wish I had a picture at the train station but that there above will have to do.

I hopped on my train at something really in the morning a.m. From Vienna to the border town Villach, I took a 5 hour train. Once I reached Villach I had to transfer to a bus which went from Villach to Venice. From Venice switched to a train which took me to Florence where I met up with two Au Pairs, Jade and Lucy. I only spent a short time in Florence until the three of us hopped on yet another train to Pisa. We spent two nights in Pisa and a nice hostel not too far away from the centre. Pisa is a bit smaller than we thought but had a nice time there all the same.

After our two nights in Pisa we took a series of regional trains to Venice. It was about 40€ cheaper than taking a direct train...on an Au Pair salary, indirect is the way we go! We had a very short connection for the last train from I believe Prado to Venice. I tell the girls we have to get off the train ASAP and book it to the next platform (whereever that may be). Sure enough we arrive at the station book it out the door and dash off down the platform. As though from a scene out of a movie, our platform area was under contstruction and we had to run to the other side of the station in the most round about way one could imagine. Also, Italians are notorious for not properly labeling things and being unreliable...We were following the signs to "The Platforms" and came across a sign that said, <---Platforms---> After going crosseyed for a quick minute we decided to hang a left, and stay commited to the direction we were originally sprinting.

The slapping of the sandals against the cement ground echoed  through the tunnel connecting the platforms. The three of us girls running like mad to catch this train. Huge backpacks, dresses, and loud flapping sandals. The waves of people parted like the sea in fear of being taken down by a mad au pair girl. Like the end of a scene in a good movie, we dart through the doors of our train, take a seat and leave the station for Venice. Sweaty and satisfied we relax in our seats for the next three hours it takes to get to Venice.

After arriving in Venice we have to catch a bus out of the city to where our camping spot it. We stayed at Camp Jolly,  it sounded promising. On a hot summer day in Italy we walked from our bus stop about 10minutes to the actual camp site. We check in and found they have upgraded us for free to a bungalow in front of the pool! How lucky are we?! Since it was already pretty late in the afternoon we decided to relax at the campsite and have some drinks by the pool. After a looong day on trains, walking, and a few drinks by the pool I have no shame in saying, this was me by 5pm. It was a good nap...I didn't even believe I fell asleep. We had dinner at the camp site with complementary Tiramisu and Lemoncello from the restaurant. Called it an early night so we could wake up early and spend the day on the actualy island of Venice.

The next morning our campsite provided a coach that dropped us off at the start of the island. Once we got off the bus I must admit the whole thing was a bit overwhelming. Where to start in a city of mazes, alleyways, canal systems and incredible history? It truly was breathtaking and overwhelming in my excitement to be in a city that is truly unique from anywhere I've traveled. 

 We started by wandering into Venice and had a cappucino. Again, like something out of a movie, a young Venecian man opened up his wooden windows from across the canal and yelled "Ciao Bella!" out to us. We giggled and blushed and continued on with our day. Hours were spent wandering about. Left down this narrow alley now take a right. We were amazed at how long you could just walk and find yourself in new little areas of the city.




After the second night in Venice the girls had to head back to Vienna early in the morning. I was left to my own and spent the afternoon at the pool waiting until I had to head to the airport. About 14:00 I checked out of the campsite and walked to my bus and headed to board my plane on to the next leg of my journey: Solo in Spain.