10/6 paul and pasta in milan

I love pasta so it is only fitting that I sample the local goods in Milan. Guess I'll have to give these Italians a lesson. They put this meager amount of marinara - hey don't they know that (just like the hokie pokie) that's what it's all about. My noodles are swimming - drowning - in sumptuous tomato, onion, garlic and whatever else I add that day. Mmmmm good
Paul

Last day was mostly travel and I spent the night in Amsterdam. Went in to the city for a stop at a coffehouse and then got some food. Feeling good, I headed back to the hotel.

(Rob)

Today was amazing as usual. I woke up refreshed from a great night of sleep. I had a delicious buffet breakfast then caught a cab to my next hotel. The Hilton Rome Cavalieri…WOW!!! This place is nice!!! I get a tour of

 the Conference center then head back into town. I get to the Vatican around 1:30 or so finally. First stop is St Peter’s Square. This square is huge, just like the church. After St. Peters I head over to the entrance to the Museum. The Museum is packed. I felt like I was in a sardine can the whole way through, but it was totally worth it. The statues and works of art are quite impressive. Once again I don’t know what else to say. Words can’t explain this place. It is a must see for everyone. Here are some pictures to tide you over if you have never seen this place. Pictures don’t even do it justice.

 

After the Museum I head into the Sistine Chapel and sit for about an hour. I wish it wasn’t so crowed, but most of the time I am able to just tune out the noise and enjoy the masterpiece above me.

 

From the Chapel I head into St Peter’s. This place is massive. I mean you could easily fit a dozen Sacred heart’s in there.

 

After I finish with the Vatican City I head back to the downtown main and side streets. I do a little shopping and have some dinner. By this time it is around 2000 and time to get on the bus back to the hotel.

(Rob)

Today was amazing, but as usual is started out pretty boring day. I woke up and took a quick shower at the hostel. I packed up all my things in my backpack again and headed out. I am starting to feel better, hopefully by tomorrow I will be

 completely healthy. I head down the road and stop at a pharmacy because my lip is dry and cracking for no apparent reason. I don’t find any so I ask; once again luckily someone spoke English. They give me this lipstick tube and I am thinking, no way, but it actually was chap-

stick. I also bought some crackers cookie things for breakfast. In Germany they were called dinkel doppel kekks or something like that. I head down to the subway to head to my hotel. After some train switching and a taxi I get to the Sheraton Roma. It is a very nice hotel. The Hostel I was in could fit in the lobby a few times over. I changed into my suit and talked with the event manager about the conference center for awhile. After the work was done it was time for me to go back to the tourist thing. It’s about 1430 when I head back into town. The first place I go is the Coliseum. This place is amazing, and huge. 

I can’t do it justice by just showing a picture and talking about it. Everyone should see this place. There are all these guys dressed in old Roman Gladiator garb, even some in Caesar outfits.

After the tour and staring in awe it is about 1630 and I am getting hungry. 

As I look for a restaurant I go by some type of demonstration. There was a police line and everything.

I find a restaurant, but it is empty, just no customers. I think I am eating at a different time than everyone else does.

I have Caprese and a Torentio Pizza.

 Wow, delicious. 

Did I mention I had a bottle of wine as well? I was feeling pretty good when I finished.

 Then I went to pay and none of my cards worked, uh-oh. I don’t know what else to do so I offer to leave some ID and go try to pull out some cash. It was a very awkward situation. Lucky for me I’m able to pull cash out so all is well.

After eating I head out to do some more touring near the Coliseum. I checked out the Palatine area and some other areas nearby, I forgot to take pictures as I was walk, sorry. 

As I got towards the end an Australian couple asked me to take some pictures. I snapped a few and they snapped a few of me in return.

Today has been a great day. J

Fw: schilthorn mountain

-----Original Message-----
From: "Paul Orlowski" <Paul@coking.com>

Date: Sun, 5 Oct 2008 16:34:53
To: <nmorlowski.pics@blogspot.com>
Subject: schilthorn mountain

Incredible ride that took 4 cable cars to get to the top. Non-stop, expansive view of the swiss alps.

(Rob)

After stopping at the colesseum I thought it might be a good idea to find a place to put my backpack. This city has so many diverse areas none appear too modern though, which is refreshing. Once back near the train station I found an Internet cafe. I would have done this first but everything was closed earlier. I found the hostel I wanted online, Hostel Happy Days. The name seemed kind enough to me. After that i got on the metro and found the place. I set my bags down and decided to take a tour of some of the sights within the city.
After my quick self guided tour I decided to stop back at the hostel for a short break and to get off my feet for a bit. Before I went out again I was offered some pasta with the owners and some other guys there. The pasta was served with pepper, chopped parmesian, and olive oil. It was yummy.

I decided to head out again and see the Circus Maximus. This is a large area where they used to hold chariot races for everyone to watch. I wasn't quite sure what to do next so I walked over towards the Collesium and ran into the Forum along the way. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to tour all of these places and not just walk by them. A few hours later when I get back to the Hostel I decided it was time to eat again. I went in search for an authentice Italian meanl. For dinner I had Bruschetta with Ham, thin sliced, and cheese. For my main course I ordered Spicy Penne Pasta, what I got was a plate that looked sized for two. With all this I had the house red wine. It was all so tasty, but I am probably a little overstuffed. I'll walk it off tomorrow. Well time to get some real sleep. Tomorrow is going to be another amazing day in Europe.

More photos later and at your request.

Today the majority of the day was spent for travel. In the end we ended up in Munich! Oktoberfest!We didn't have much time so we headed straight for the Theirenweisen, the Oktoberfest grounds. This place is amazing. Getting into a tent wasn't too difficult, but finding a seat was a whole different story. We finally found a seat with some nice Germans who speak no English, quite exciting. We commenced to drinking. Folks, these are no beers for the faint at heart. These are large brews at about a liter a piece, mmm. We didn't just a few. I figure 5 or 6 is enough to have a good time. There was music, dancing, singing, dancing on the table, and more drinking. At one point we each ate half a chicken, scrumptious. The environment was excellent and we were only in one of the many tents that were packed to capacity. I'm not sure when we got back to the hotel, but on the way back I had the need to stop for a 1/2 meter bratwurst. I have a feeling my head may hurt in the morning...Today we woke up not feeling complete. We went to Oktoberfest, but didn't have anything to show for it but a headache. We must get leiderhosen, and that is exactly what we got. I even got a pair for Christopher. My mom got a cute dress, you will have to talk to her about getting a picture.On our way to the train station we got a little lost, but eventually found it. It was all of 1 and 1/2 blocks from our hotel... Once there I had some delicious Subway, oh that's not german. Sorry I was in a hurry. I found my train and seat. I nice German guy sat down next to me and it turns out he lived in the states awhile and spoke English. Along with the german guy there where two older German women and a Bavrian man dressed in the garb. It was fun as the german guy translated what the women were saying. Apparently, they like my broad shoulders and wanted to know what I was doing with a suit and hiking backpack. I told them my story and they said I should easily be able to meet many beautiful Italian women. We all had a nice laugh and my cheeks may have turned a bit rosy. The conversation was excellent for the rest of the 5 hour train ride. In Verona I switched trains and got on one that apparently wasn't going anywhere good thing someone spoke english and I got on the right one.Venice, what a city. A city that went by quickly because I was not able to get a hotel. I got a ticket for the midnight train to Rome. I went in search of San Marco square. It took a little longer due to a few extra turns not on the correct path. When I finally found it I didn't have a whole lot of time. I snapped a few pictures and decided to take a different path back. I forgot to mention that I had a quick dinner at this horribly cheesy Italian restaurant. Delicious lasagna, but it may have been microwave. Well I am now on the train to Rome and in second class. The 5 other people in the 6 person room are speaking French and I know so little :( I should have paid more attention in high school. Good night, hopefully.

I arrive in Rome @ 6:50am on 5 October 2008 (Rob)

This is another mess of a situation. I wish I would have planned a little better before hand. Unfortunately, I did not plan very well and now I had to suffer a little for that. Once off the train I had to figure out how to get into town because the train station I was at was not the main terminal in the town. It's ok I'll just do a little walk and find a map or something. After a few minutes, about 20 I realize how far out I am and that I dont want to walk with this huge pack so I take the Subway to Roma Termini the Main Station. I should have stayed on the Metro a little longer, but alas I did not. I walked from there to the Colesseum all the while looking for a place to get online so I could let the world know I am alright. I'll continue on later but it is time to eat.

Thursday, October 2^nd 2008 (Rob)\

I’m not feeling to good so I am going to get right to bed. I will try to elaborate tomorrow. Seminar during the day. Packing up at noon. Going out to the Cathedral and a little touring. 1700 we went out a our first bar had one drink. Went to the first Bar had a drink of Pfaffer Kolsch. Second Bar had 2 drinks of Baffel Kolsch. Third bar had 2 drinks of Kolsch. Fourth Bar had a tall bier. Fifth bar had a bier. Sixth Bar had Bier and some dinner at Furhe. Took my mom back to the hotel.

Like I said I’ll try to elaborate tomorrow, but I am not feeling good and need to get to bed.

Rob

Wednesday, October 1st 2008 (Rob)
This morning it was a bit tough to wake up. I definitely had a bit of a hangover, that's what happens though when you have a good time in Köln. The seminar today was as normal, but ended a little early so we could take the long bus rode to another factory. The country side here is gorgeous!

When we arrived at the factory there was a beer tent setup and ready for us with Bratwurst and fixings. I had 3, I was a little bit of a piggy. After the delicious brats we got to go on a factory tour. Some of the pumps they make are so larger.

Once everyone has gone on a tour and they were full of Brats we walked down the street to an authentic German restaurant that was in what may have once been a farm house. The spread of food was quite impressive, too much to list. After dinner we took the long bus ride back to the hotel.

Unfortunately I am not feeling so well. I thought it was just hangover, but it changed into something else. Goodnight