Giro d’Europa

My first month and a half in Italy has gone so fast. Up until this week I have had pretty much no work at the University. Mind you, now, I still just have two days a week, but I am sure this is solely because I am such an efficient worker. I made the most of the free time and took two faaaaaabulous weekend trips at the end of September.

First was Rome. I arrived Friday night and went straight to the hostel to wait for Beijul to meet me. Unfortunately her flight from Paris was delayed, but in typical fabulous Beijul-esque style, she strutted down the street at midnight to the hostel with her suitcase and handsome Italian guide in tow (at least I think he was handsome, it was pretty dark).

Without meaning to sound cliché, (but I definitely will), Rome was absolutely breathtaking. We managed to see the whole city in 5 hours. My favourite part of the day was arriving in St Peter’s Square in Vatican City. We sat down and chatted for a while when suddenly ‘Con te partirò’ (Time to say goodbye) started playing. It was incredible and something I will never forget.

Of course, in order to truly experience Roman culture, a night out was in order. After dinner with one of Beijul’s family friends from Kenya and a few cappuccinos to keep us going, we headed out on a bar crawl organised by the hostel. Despite the superbly expensive bar and the subsequent questionable choices I made, (I remember sticking my head under the sink in the loos to drink the tap water in a sulk) it was a fantastic night.

 Next was Munich’s Oktoberfest. This was outstanding. Debbie and I turned up at our hostel near Hauptbahnhopf and decided to go for just one drink at the hostel bar. This ‘one drink’ was followed with a good few more and I found myself wandering around the building lost at 2am. So much for getting a good night’s sleep.

We headed to Oktoberfest the next morning at 9am, fuelled up on a hearty breakfast of bratwurst with gherkins, and by 10am we had met up with Ben, Cian, Waudby and David, and the drinking was well underway. I can definitely say with no uncertainty that Saturday was the best ‘night out’ I have ever had. I laughed so much singing Ein Prosit every 15 minutes and jumping on the tables shouting “Prost!” I was so enthusiastic I smashed about three steins and cut my elbow, but this didn’t dampen my spirits (probably cause I didn’t notice till Deb told me). I am shocked at how little I remember, apparently I stole a burger and ran out the tent? I do, however, remember demanding a McChicken sandwich in Burger King in italian (thanks for sorting that Deb) and later having a rant at some poor American bloke in our dorm about Fox News. Oh dear.

Sunday was a struggle to say the least, but Debbie and I did manage to see the shittest clockwork show in Marienplatz, buy a bagel and get on the right flight home.

Back in Italy I am definitely feeling the post-giro-d’Europa blues. These trips were the best I have ever been on and it really made me realise how much I miss everyone at Bristol. Last night I was feeling very homesick and found myself wishing there was a White Harte nearby where I could meet up with Welsh soc and have a Bow and Black! Although a year abroad is an incredible experience, it certainly has its ups and downs. I still wouldn’t change it for the world though, the next ‘up’ is on its way!