Rome Part 2

Last night instead of going out for dinner a group of us decided to grab some pizza from down the street and hang out together in one of our hotel rooms. We ordered 7 pizzas which came in 1 metre boxes for only 10 euro each, some champagne and beer and we sat around chatting and sharing a few laughs. 

We have established a bit of a wolf pack as some may call it. Back in Firenze the original five girls (Alana, Rosie, Nicole, Janelle and myself) bought purple friendship bracelets. It was my first attempt at bargaining in Italian and it was a success. I managed to put the sentence "posso avere cinque bracaleti uguali per dieci euro" (can we please have 5 of the same bracelets for 10 euros) together saving us about 2.50 euro.Two boys on the contiki got jealous so we bought them matching Firenze blue bracelets in the piazza the next day. 

Today we got up early (a common ritual of contiki) and headed towards the Vatican City. Something to take note of is that the Church is very strict on dress code. Shoulders need to be covered and clothing needs to come to your knees. I wish I would have known this sooner so I purchased a scarf resulting in me resembling a little Italian Nonna. I am one of the few shorties in the contiki group so I had the image down-packed. The Vatican is awe-inspiring. Every corner is filled with a statue, tapestry or religious painting. One statue caught my eye. It was the only bronze statue in the Vatican which was interesting because most were melted down in order to make weapons back in the Roman times. The Sistene Chapel was amazing also. The work of Michelangelo on the ceiling and behind the alter were fantastic. In the painting behind the altar he included a self portrait of himself in the skin held by one of the men featured in the painting. Unfortunately we couldn't take photos here but the memory will definitely stay with me. We entered the Saint Peters Basilica which was absolutely massive. The altar itself was a real centrepiece and surrounding it were many more statues and religious paintings. I love everything about this church and it is a great reminder of my faith. 

After our tour we went to a souvenir shop and I bought little murano bracelets. My sister bought me one last time she visited and I loved it so much I just had to grab another. I bought her one too because whatever I tend to have she wants to borrow! And of course a few more for some other special girls! We quickly headed to lunch down at a little pizza bar called 'Alice'. I had a piece of mozzarella and zucchini and one with potato. I won't lie Italian pizza is the best pizza. I've had more pizza in a week than I have probably had in the last year or two. The pizza will definitely become part of my post-holiday depression. 

One thing I won't miss is the crazy Italian drivers. Indicating is out of the question here; rear ending and constant cutting others off is all the rage. I won't forget the amount of beggars and gypsies too. In our first day of Rome we came across a gypsy lady who had a good sense of humour. Our friend bobby was with us and she continued to shout at him "mi amoreeee ho visto!!!" (My love I see you!) Followed by "fa caldo!" Lifting her skirt up and laughing very loud and witch like! Funniest thing in the world. 

Back on the coach and off we go to the city of Venezia! I promised to grab my mum a Venetian mask because she likes to collect them. I'm sure ill find room in my bag stuffed with half a kilo of Pinocchio.

Ciao for now!

Via Porzia

When in Rome

So I have been on contiki for just over a week now and it has been insanely busy. We have seen so much in so little time! We started in London, followed by Paris, Switzerland and Nice, France.

Last night we arrived in the capital of Italy, Roma! We settled into our hotel (which so far has been the best.. including a shower bigger than a 30x30cm square and aircon!). We did a night wander around the roman piazzas running into famous architecture such as the Fontana di Trevi and the Pantheon. Both breathtakingly big and beautiful! I made my wishes by throwing a euro into the Trevi. Hope they come true!

Today, we did the imperial tour of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. I think the first time I heard about this Roman amphitheatre was in year 1 reception Italian class. It was absolutely unreal! It is very easy to picture the gladiators back in their day when you step into this place! Parts of the colosseum have been restored in brick which makes it easy to distinguish between the brick and original limestone.

Note to self. Do not wear havianas in the Colosseum! Today one of them broke on the uneven floors! My contiki friend  Bobby (who we gave the name Roberto!) fixed it temporarily with my bobby pin! When this solution failed another contiki friend Ethan piggy-backed me towards the metro with our group. Nicole used a lighter to melt the bottom plug and this lasted me until I found a cheap pair in one of the many souvinear shops that line the streets. One thing about contiki is you make friends really quickly. They all look out for you and always make sure you don't get left behind :)

After the colosseum we visited the Roman Forum. Very little was left of the buildings and it was interesting to see Ceasar's grave. The ruins are amazing to see and they are a great reminder of the roman times.

After our tour we went to the Royal Art Cafe Restaurant. It had great views not limited to the colosseum ;) I ordered Ricotta Ravioli in a Truffle Cream Sauce. Ahhh-mazing. I now have an obsession with this sauce previously unknown to me before Europe! 

 

After lunch we trekked through the heat towards the Spanish Steps. Not as big as I imagined them to be but nevertheless beautiful. 

After being up all day we headed back to the piazza and revisited a fantastic gelateria called San Crispino. They sell gelato made from all natural flavours. Zabaione and Nocciola (hazelnut) were to die. 

After contiki ends we head back to Rome for two days and I couldn't be happier knowing Rome isn't over for me yet. 

Time for a quick nap and off we go to dinner to eat more Italian food (as if we haven't overloaded already!) Arrivaderci!

Via Porzia

Xx

Travel Prep

Packing would be one of the hardest things about preparing to travel (apart from organising a cash passport and a travel sim!).

I usually tend to overpack things so I tried really hard to pack the bare essentials. I have a standard size suitcase (thanks to a couple of friends at my 21st birthday) and a regular handbag to take with me on board in order to make my flight just a bit more comfortable. Here's what I packed!

Handbag (a forgiving size!)

- carmex, face powder

- t-shirt and underwear

- face wipes

- hair tie

- camera + charger

- phone + charger

- travel wallet (KikkiK) including vouchers, passport, id, documents and travel money

- travel medication

- mints

- sunglasses

- hairbrush 

- mini toothbrush and toothpaste 

* you can also choose to pack a book or a magazine but if you get travel sickness really easy like me you probably shouldn't ;) plus I'm looking forward to watching movies!

In my suitcase!

- 2 pairs of jeans (1 blue 1 red)

- 4 pairs of shorts (1 dressy)

- 1 pair of leggings

- short sleeve tops

- long sleeve top

- one throw over jumper

- underwear

- casual dress

- casual/dressy playsuit (good for day to night!)

- thongs

- 2 pairs of bikinis 

- a few accessories (including a watch)

- soft cross-body bag (for everyday sightseeing)

- ghd straightener (perfect for straight and curled looks)

- makeup bag

- 20x20cm clear cosmetic bag including bottles of 100ml or less of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face cleanser, moisturiser, bb cream, nars foundation, hand sanitiser, travel sized Dior mascara and -- wax strips

- photocopies of passport and other documents 

*I chose not to pack any heels because in most clubs I have been told people wear flat shoes and dressy sandals (I'm all for the partying with no pain!)

Thankfully the hard part is over! Today is the day! 

Love always,

Via Porzia

  

25 things.

This tag has been used countless times but nevertheless is still just as fun. Enjoy. 

1. I go by "zia porzia" or "aunty porzy". I have three little nieces, Isabella, Georgia and Siena. My friends call me "porsh" and every time I meet someone new they ask if I was named after the car. I cringe every single time. 

2. In one week exactly I will be traveling overseas for the very first time with my childhood friend. Our italian trip back in year 12 got cancelled. We have been planning this trip since 2008.

3. I recently became a godmother to my youngest niece Siena. I have a godmother but she hasn't been around since I was young. I hope to do a better job.

4. I had a pet dog called Rocky. He was originally my sister's pet. He quickly became king of the house and my best friend. 

5. I used to be terrified of Rocky and other dogs as a kid. I guess I got over it when my sister decided to throw him on my lap. To this day, only really big dogs make me nervous.

6. I have a degree in Psychology with honours. How I will use it, I still don't know.

7. I have been a casual barista for the last 5 years in my family's cafe. They sold the business and tomorrow is my last day ever. I met my best friend Mima here. 

8. I can (not fluently) speak Italian. You can kind of get the gist of things though.

9. My parents were born in Molfetta, Bari and both migrated to Australia many years ago. They speak molfettese dialect. It is a language in itself. I will be visiting Molfetta for the first time next month and meeting some of my family for the first time!

10. I love everything and anything that is Spanish. Barcelona is the place I am most excited for this year. I have pretended to be spanish a couple of times in my lifetime. 

11. My siblings Felice and Vincenza, and I were named after our grandparents. 

12. I was called "Porcelina" as a child. It means "little pig" in Italian.

13. My brother owns an italian inspired coffee bar called Caparezza. I'm very proud of him and my parents too for their hard work everyday.

14. I used to share a room with my sister as a kid. She never used to let me in. I can count on her much more these days.

15. I can't wait to finally get a second ear piercing with my little friend Siena.

16. I used to be really shy as a child. I still can be. 

17. I believe my mum is the greatest woman in the world. 

18. I've learnt if you can't be yourself within a friendship then it is a friendship not worth having. 

19. When I first learnt to drive I hit a small tree. I ended up with a car covered in leaves and a broken head light.

20. My favourite movies are La Bamba and Selena. 

21. I had braces. Best decision made. 

22. My favourite colour is red. I hate pink. I really. hate. pink.

23. I would rather not change my last name.

24. Bon Jovi was hands down the best concert I have ever been to. This december I will be reliving it all over again!

25. Wanderlust. If there is something I think about constantly. It's travel.