Italy always on my mind

This blog is about my passion to Italy. My first ever trip to this land of innumerable treasures and beauty was in 1984, as a young student from Finland. In August that year, I had decided to make an Interrail trip in Europe. By myself, as I wanted to be independent of anyone else! To have some adventure ahead!

I had never before visited any European cities except Stockholm, so I was quite excited about the trip's destinations. Somewhere in my mind I had a vision of Rome. It must be worth seeing! Of course I knew Rome, the ancient city - why not take it as a first stop?? The Starting point for my trip was Stockholm, and from there, travelling through Sweden-Denmark-Germany-Austria-to Italy.

Just a few pictures and some memories of my first touch to a country and nation I fell in love with.

Compared to these days, photographing was not as cheap and easy as it is today. I had my first little Konica with me, but a small budget and expensive films restricted the shooting to far less photos than today is possible with digital cameras. But I have some shots, not maybe too good but they are "documentary" of their time.

somewhere in northern Italy

as the sign says, a stop in Bolzano

In those days, the trains were not quite as comfortable as they are now! I remember how noisy and crowded they were, but the atmosphere was nice. A real feeling of travelling, from place to place. May it take even hours or days!

The train approached Rome late in the evening. For a girl from eastern Finland, how exotic were the sounds of cicadas in velvet soft night! So exciting.

As I entered the Termini station, two carabinieri grabbed my hand immediately. "Where do you think you are going? Alone? At this time of evening??" (11p.m.) "Well, I thought I'd search for a place to sleep in..." - I just hadn't thought that in Rome it´s not a good idea for a young blonde girl to wander around searching for a place to sleep!! And so, these carabinieri asked a couple of fellow passengers (two Sicilians) to guide me to a suitable hotel straight away. (how did they know THEY are reliable??) Well, maybe I should be thankful for them. Surely they knew better what is wise in that situation. The first night slept at Hotel Marsala.

The first morning in Rome (Sunday) was quite an experience. Cloudless blue sky. Lots of sunshine. So much to look at! I took my map and started walking the streets, not knowing what will come ahead. During the next ten days I met some people with whom I visited all the major sights, I had really fun time in Rome.

Colosseum

I still remember that for the first thing to eat in Rome, I bought a whole watermelon at a local market, climbed onto a small hill beside the Colosseum and admired the view. Eating slices of delicious watermelon!

Of course I had to see inside of this huge arena. Overwhelming!

The window in my room at Pensione Gorizia

The patio seen from my window

The river Tiber or Tevere as the Romans say, and one of the old bridges.

a peaceful Sunday morning in Rome. See how old-fashioned the bus and car look now!

Pantheon. Nice surroundings for hanging out.

The Vatican is always among popular attractions for tourists

frescoes by Michelangelo in Sistine Chapel, impressive.

I even managed to see some catacombs. In 1984, I wasn't yet claustrophonic at all. After a decade, the experience wasn't any longer very pleaseant for me in the dark, narrow caves ....

After a week and a half in Rome, I wanted to move on. As I had decided to head for Greece, what better idea than to take a boat from Italy. I only had to take a train to the city of Brindisi The Italians say "facciamo un brindisi" that means "let's make a toast". One explanation for this expression is that the Roman soldiers once took a boat from Brindisi and made a toast first for good luck in the coming war. Well, anyway, the boat would leave from Brindisi to Patras.

My journey went via Napoli.The first touch to pickpockets here. But I was quick enough to escape them!

In Brindisi, I spent a day on a nice beach. Then joined a bunch of young people travelling Interrail too. All we packed ourselves onto a small ferry.

We packed ourselves onto the boat, top class - that is, on the top deck outside. Just beside the chimneys. Under the blue sky, on the waves of Ionian see, just like Odysseys! I am quite sure that my children would never like to experience this kind of travelling, hippie -way :) But there we slept happily all night in our sleeping bags, watching the stars above us. What a nice memory!