Luca Mercer
Flights were good, the food was as expected (we both know what's expected of Emirates), then touched down in Athens. Lads keen to experience the first taste of the life of the buck, most of them getting an unpleasant surprise as it directly contradicted their “private school” lifestyle. An experience of a less developed economy was a good one; as it taught the lads to haggle, have some knowledge of prices and quality and of course, experience with the Moroccans.This was an interesting one as innocent little Remuera boys are generally willing to have a conversation or handshake with these men, but as I have learned due to Andy’s misfortune, they are all out to make an easy buck so in conclusion ignorance is a virtue. The ruins of Athens were something else to see in the flesh, as they are just ruins. KIDDING. With some contextual knowledge of these landmarks at hand the group could really visualise the significance of these great ancient structures, as well as how long they have actually lasted.
After Athens, we were off to Rome… by boat….. a delayed boat….. WITH WIFI, POOL AND GYM. However wifi was not working (not that we would need it) they pool was under construction (looked fine just Italian laziness) and the gym costed 10 euros per hour…. So we just waited.. and waited… then because of the delayed boat we missed our train…. Then proceeded to wait for the next one by sleeping in the train station.. which we kept getting moved by the officers… and crack addicts… so 2 hours of sleep went down and we were in Rome baby.
Rome was full of things to see. Even if we were going somewhere the group would be walking through well preserved ruins of which we knew the function and purpose, constantly reviving long lost 8 year old memories and reliving the success of the roman age. The Colosseum is exactly as I remember it, and the roman forum is jam packed with interesting structures of which enlighten my knowledge further. The accommodation is sufficient, getting every minute of shut eye after the 2 hour sleep had really set me back. The food is wonderful, as long as I stuck to Italian cuisine. Pizza. Oh yeah, I have finally confirmed my opinion on the topic of religion. It is frustratingly pointless. The gold…. Well not completely pointless as they did erect some quite magnificent churches and temples. Economy is better than Athens.. smell isn’t.
Florence was up next. Very nice accommodation overlooking a magnificent river of which we could see the reflection of the lights from the bridges lighting up the water, as well as the chatter from the otters soothing our slumber. Local economy kept this busy little place tidy and well kept, this can be speculated through the amount of Moroccans wandering around carrying the iconic “selfie stick”. Favourite aspect of Florence was definitely the gallery of which I do not remember the name (had lot of famous paintings of which the comparison to neighbouring “art”works was very amusing). Our day in Pisa was great fun, slowly catching up on sleep as I slept an extra hour then ran to catch up to the group, gave me an optimistic outlook on 2 structures which would further back up my opinion on religion and on the tower itself, however greatness cannot be stolen from this cool place as it still has the magic (and free ice-cream of the masters own accord)
The day in Venice was great, blistering hot, but great; a nifty town with plenty of mockery of the American accent (even slipped some America’s cup comments in too). Some of the religious structures in a floating town are really cool, with uneven floors due to the uneven rates of sinking but really well preserved pieces of artwork and more wasted gold. We then rounded up at the train station in order to be shipped off to Avignon where we acquired 2 hours of free-time. This was spent by me, Andy and Bucko frantically yet exhilaratingly running around the walkways of Venice. During which we were able to suck up some of the culture and everyday life.. miserable dogs, whining tourists and scummy locals some of which working together to lure innocents into gambling a cheated game. After achieving our desired purchases, the troublesome trio made it back to the train station with 5 minutes to spare, easy……
After a rather bi-polar overnight train, filled with soothing sleeps to screaming French police officers we made it to Avignon, of which we have rented vans and have been exiled to what seems like a 3/3 star prison compound. IT HAS A POOL. Upon arrival the lads were immediately cast onto the streets of Beaucaire, taking in the change of period of time of which the castles were built and the amazing scenery. Economies are improving gradually as is accommodation. Today we went to the Pont du Gard. Yeah. Its still really really amazingly cool. Refreshing swim under it as well as a moment of condolence for the immaturity of french youths and how privileged we are to be grammar men *cough*(pretty sure Bucko’s going to read this)*cough*.
Anyway I hope the weather in Auckland is miserable and the snow on the mountain is amazing and that you’re all safe. Its kind of late so I’m going to go to bed see you all in 2 weeks will type again soon. xx
After Athens, we were off to Rome… by boat….. a delayed boat….. WITH WIFI, POOL AND GYM. However wifi was not working (not that we would need it) they pool was under construction (looked fine just Italian laziness) and the gym costed 10 euros per hour…. So we just waited.. and waited… then because of the delayed boat we missed our train…. Then proceeded to wait for the next one by sleeping in the train station.. which we kept getting moved by the officers… and crack addicts… so 2 hours of sleep went down and we were in Rome baby.
Rome was full of things to see. Even if we were going somewhere the group would be walking through well preserved ruins of which we knew the function and purpose, constantly reviving long lost 8 year old memories and reliving the success of the roman age. The Colosseum is exactly as I remember it, and the roman forum is jam packed with interesting structures of which enlighten my knowledge further. The accommodation is sufficient, getting every minute of shut eye after the 2 hour sleep had really set me back. The food is wonderful, as long as I stuck to Italian cuisine. Pizza. Oh yeah, I have finally confirmed my opinion on the topic of religion. It is frustratingly pointless. The gold…. Well not completely pointless as they did erect some quite magnificent churches and temples. Economy is better than Athens.. smell isn’t.
Florence was up next. Very nice accommodation overlooking a magnificent river of which we could see the reflection of the lights from the bridges lighting up the water, as well as the chatter from the otters soothing our slumber. Local economy kept this busy little place tidy and well kept, this can be speculated through the amount of Moroccans wandering around carrying the iconic “selfie stick”. Favourite aspect of Florence was definitely the gallery of which I do not remember the name (had lot of famous paintings of which the comparison to neighbouring “art”works was very amusing). Our day in Pisa was great fun, slowly catching up on sleep as I slept an extra hour then ran to catch up to the group, gave me an optimistic outlook on 2 structures which would further back up my opinion on religion and on the tower itself, however greatness cannot be stolen from this cool place as it still has the magic (and free ice-cream of the masters own accord)
The day in Venice was great, blistering hot, but great; a nifty town with plenty of mockery of the American accent (even slipped some America’s cup comments in too). Some of the religious structures in a floating town are really cool, with uneven floors due to the uneven rates of sinking but really well preserved pieces of artwork and more wasted gold. We then rounded up at the train station in order to be shipped off to Avignon where we acquired 2 hours of free-time. This was spent by me, Andy and Bucko frantically yet exhilaratingly running around the walkways of Venice. During which we were able to suck up some of the culture and everyday life.. miserable dogs, whining tourists and scummy locals some of which working together to lure innocents into gambling a cheated game. After achieving our desired purchases, the troublesome trio made it back to the train station with 5 minutes to spare, easy……
After a rather bi-polar overnight train, filled with soothing sleeps to screaming French police officers we made it to Avignon, of which we have rented vans and have been exiled to what seems like a 3/3 star prison compound. IT HAS A POOL. Upon arrival the lads were immediately cast onto the streets of Beaucaire, taking in the change of period of time of which the castles were built and the amazing scenery. Economies are improving gradually as is accommodation. Today we went to the Pont du Gard. Yeah. Its still really really amazingly cool. Refreshing swim under it as well as a moment of condolence for the immaturity of french youths and how privileged we are to be grammar men *cough*(pretty sure Bucko’s going to read this)*cough*.
Anyway I hope the weather in Auckland is miserable and the snow on the mountain is amazing and that you’re all safe. Its kind of late so I’m going to go to bed see you all in 2 weeks will type again soon. xx