There is no such thing as a free lunch

Big, energetic, full of history and overwhelming are the perfect adjectives for Rome, based on my experience. Is this the NYC of Italy? Perhaps. No tall buildings or yellow cabs are necessary to make this city vibrant. Highlighting on my map the places I wanted to see, I might as well color the entire thing. So much to see, and so little time. Rome was definitely not built in a day, and you cannot see it in one either. 

One of best days ever. Arriving to the Vatican, I notice an audiance waiting on something to happen. Minutes after I place myself in a very good spot, the Pope comes out. How incredible is that? One of the most influential people in the world was right in front of me. My whole trip to Rome was worth it at that point. After a 3 hour tour and 500 steps to the top of the Basilica de St. Peter, my day couldn't get any better. Wish I had paid more attention to my History teachers in school.

Trying to stay one day longer in Rome to attend an event at the Vatican, I had to change my train ticket. Stood in line for 2 hours in the morning with no success and came back in the afternoon. Waiting, a guy came and stood next to me asking friendly questions. After a short exchange and his offer to direct me on the right direction, he asked me for money. Why was he helping me? There is no such thing as a free lunch. Shocked, I declined. He insisted. I declined. He became rude. I moved back. He moved towards me and insisted more. It was making me really uncomfortable. I know the trick. You open your wallet, they see how much you have and they grab what they want. It happened to a girl I met earlier. When he satated reaching out for my bag, I started talking louder. With my broken Italian, I chose to go off on him in Spanish. A Colombian guy noticed the situation and reached out for me. Asked the guy to leave me alone and pulled me towards him to keep me safe. Who should I trust at this point?

The bad guy became really rude and almost got on a fist fight with the Colombian guy that stepped in to defent me. Was this really happening? How did the situation escalated so fas? Should I just run? 

After a few threats, the bad guy left. On the corner of my eye, I could still see him looking at us from far away. I decided to leave and head back to my hostel. A few steps later, I could still see the bad guy behind me. Was he really following me? Scared, I walked around the train station hoping it was just a coincidence. Sure enough, he was following me. Scared to leave the public place and head home by myself, I went to the police. Of 5 officers, only one of them spoke very little English. I explained the situation and asked to be walked to my hostel. Their quick answer was a "no, we cannot". What?? The look in my face must have been really hopeless, that after some insisting, one of the cops decided to walk me only one block. 

So far on this trip, I had never felt so alone and far away from home. If anything happened to me there was absolutely no one that I could call. At the other cities, at least I had a new friend or a host that I could reach out to. This time, I felt unsafe and unprotected. 

After talking to my mom and a good friend about it, I was calmed and determined to give a report to the ambassy in case anything happened. I thought it was an exageration to do that, up until the moment when I was walking a few blocks away from my hostel and I saw the guy again later that evening. After the second encounter, I was speed walking to the ambassy, just to arrive and find out that none of the officers spoke English or Spanish and the office would open until the next morning. Holly cow!! Was this really happening? No questions asked, I headed back to the hostell and left Rome first thing the next morning. I was uneasy and unconfortable and did not want to let that guy ruin the trip for me. It was best for me to move on to another great adventure and not leave with fear one more day in Rome. 

Despite the experience, Rome is a stunning city and I cannot wait to go back to experience some more of it. It would probably take half a year to really get to see everything that it has to offer. I wouldn't consider it a "relaxing" city at all. There is too much to do and explore. The wine was not as cheap as Venice, and the city is definitely more complex than Florence, but it has it's own magic. Just be aware and do not trust anyone. 

Daniela Guevara

Sad news: Pizza should never be eaten with wine.

."Strangers are just friends that you haven't met". 

Great quote hung on the wall of my AirBnB room in Florence. After reviews, I decided to give AirBnB a try, and what a great experience it was. Traveling alone is a rolling coaster because sometimes you might really crave a connection with someone just to exchange thoughts and opinions and other you are just grateful to be alone getting to connect with yourself. After some research, I found Savino on AirBnB. He is a young Italian man who has been opening the doors of his home to adventorous souls from around the world who add Florence to their travel list. What a great host! He met me at the train station, and I must say that it was such a relieve, specially after my lovely wet and long experience in Venice. With a warm heart and welcoming smile, Savino welcomes travelers and makes them feel right at home. 

On the first night his friends came over and we all had delicious pizza before heading out to dance. They were all very friendly, welcoming and at times I would forget that we had just met an hour ago. Language was never a barrier, in fact a couple of them liked practicing their Spanish and English with me, while I absolutely enjoyed listening to them speak in Italian as I am trying to catch words. "So, you are Mexican and live in the US, so you definitely can twerk, right?". Exactly the words of Lorenzo. If there was a question about it before, it was clear now that we felt confortable with each other. 

Florenze was wonderful. The city was not what I expected at all. My expectations were too low compared to what this city has to offer. It's magical, fun, beautiful, and safe. 

I refuse to stand in long lines for museums, but meeting Michelangelo's David was a must. After an hour standing in line, David and I met. As soon as I snap a picture of him... my camera dies. If you remember, at this point I dont have a cell phone, so it was just me, David and my intentions to take in every breath of the experience to see him live as most likely I was not going to get a picture with him. Before walking away, a light bulb went off.  My iPad!!! With 8% of battery and a terrible camera, I got a shot with this masterpiece that represents triumph in the most humble and courageous way. 

A few hours and a hike from hell uphill later, I got to experience one of the most beautiful sunsets. I am a freak about sunsets, and this one has definitely topped off all of the others I have chased. 

At that point, nothing could ruin the day... except getting on a bus that was going the opposite direction, and getting to a point where the bus driver turned off the bus and got off along with everyone else in the middle of nowhere. Yep! That happened. I freaked out for two seconds. Then decided that the smart thing was to wait inside the bus for something to happen. 30 mins later the driver came back and we departed again. Ugh! Walking home from the train station, when I though the day was over, the unmistaken beat of salsa music was coming from one of the buildings. What do I do? Of course I go inside to investigate. Sure enough, there was some kind of latin party going on! We really are everywhere! I sat there for a few minutes to enjoy the music, but after a guy's request to have his baby, I left. Can't be more random. That was a great day. 

Savino marked my map with great places to eat at, so my second day in Florence was all about hitting the right spots for the famous salami from Florence and gelato, of course! 

Tracie, the American girl that I met in Venice, happened to be in Florence so of course we hung out, met a friend of a friend and "cogliere l'attimo". 

I must mention that on the third day, I nailed my way back home on the bus! 

Ciao! 

Dani G. 

P.S. Kuddos to Savino for even having a really cute friend ;)