Far From Florida

·         We knew to be wary of pickpockets, but our concerns were magnified when the conductor got on the train loudspeaker and warned us that they were “on the train, so watch your stuff.” It was something like that, just more Italian.

·         Our hotel was incredible, had a huge bed, and a super balcony. There was also a bidet, which I’ve never seen before. It shoots water at your butt.

·         We ate at this restaurant right next to our Hotel which proclaimed it’s offerings in English. Our server the first night was this poor dude who looked like he was all alone and kept getting yelled at by the guy behind the bar. He also had to deal with our non-Italian, which must’ve been the worst.

·         At that same restaurant they have a policy of “you’ll get your food when we feel like it.” Teal’s dinner arrived a full 25 minutes before mine.

·         Our apartment had air conditioning, which is a luxury we in Florida take for granted. There is no A/C in our Lyon apartment.

·         I am using the term “gypsy” to describe anyone who meets one of the following requirements:

o   Tried to throw “friendship bracelets” (pieces of yarn) at you and then tried to make you pay for them

o   Looked sketchy

o   Begged for money

o   Tried to peddle clearly-dead flowers to you at dinner

o   Threatened you for money

o   Sold products of dubious origins near tourist sites

·         There were a lot of gypsies in Milan.

·         The Duomo is a hugigantimongous Catholic cathedral. There were dead people and old stuff and statues and all sorts of stuff. Just look at the pictures I will be posting.

·         There was a cool castle that had a museum in it. It was also thick with gypsies. There was no gypsy museum, however.

·         We stayed near the business district where there were a lot of guys dressed in nice suits walking around meaningfully.

·         Eddie Izzard was both right and wrong: Lots of scooters, but everyone wore helmets.

·         1 Liter is a HUGE beer.

-Alex