Good morning...

There are those mornings when your eyes slowly part, you stretch your arms, feel the morning sun warm your face through the window, and realize upon waking that you are completely and utterly refreshed. Those mornings are the best – perhaps you woke from a sweet dream, or you have something to look forward to in the day ahead. Maybe you even got more than five hours, in which case you feel so rested and ready for the day. These mornings are rare and beautiful. Let’s just say, this morning was NOT one of those mornings.

 

The harsh and incessant beeping of my alarm clock woke my aching body from a restless sleep. Stuffy nose. Heavy head. Dry throat – all the symptoms of a relentless cold that despite my best efforts (drinking lots of fluids, yes mom – taking my vitamins) will not go away. Laura and I – both feeling like crap – walked to the pharmacy to get some medicine and then I walked all my clothes to the Laundromat up the street so that my clothes and sheets (finally!) would have a thorough wash. It is half way through the trip, so I figured washing my sheets might be a good idea J. That was a process to say the least and the lady behind the counter was so rude. I am sorry but I am a spoiled girl who has not ever had to use a Laundromat – I don’t know what settings I should put it on because every washer is specific and I have my washer and dryer back home down to a science, but this is a London washer and I could not afford to ruin my clothes. Well this lady simply could not be bothered – heaven forbid I interrupt her from her Danielle Steel romance novel – and by the look of her I was not surprised she was sexually frustrated. She was simply condescending and had a stick up her large butt, which only added to my yucky morning.

 

But one thing was able to crack me out of my shell of sickness – the weather. What a beautiful fall day here in London. It felt like North Carolina fall – the air was crisp, the sun was shining, the colors of the leaves were vibrantly waving in the wind – it was gorgeous and revived me.

 After having some soup for lunch it was off to history class, where I chatted online with mom the entire time – my history teacher must think I am so enthralled taking such close notes on my computer! We talked about my internship plans for next summer and I decided I am definitely going to go to Nashville. I have already downloaded an application to intern in the entertainment talent and promotions department of CMT - Country Music Television! How amazing would that be! So I will get that started in the next couple of weeks. 

After another boring class in which I was glad my nose was stuffy because it prevented me from smelling my professor’s disgusting body odor – Laura and I went to the post office to mail our ballots – I made my first vote for a presidential candidate – who do I think is most qualified to lead our great country you ask? Well, that is for me to know J But, let me just say, may the best man - meaning whoever is going to get us the hell out of this economic depression, lower gas prices, provide healthcare for all, stop global warming and find a way to make our society function without taxes – win. (.... there is a reason they call it the American dream - keep dreaming!)

 

Then Laura and I decided to have an early dinner (since technically we have to be up at 3am today to catch our taxi to the airport) at this adorable diner on Carnaby Street (mom- I took you there, this is where O’Neil’s is and where we saw that store Number 22 and thought of lynnie boo) called – how appropriate – The Diner. It was like Johnny Rockets but more modernly decorated. We had burgers, fries and shakes and had some quality Laura Jenny time – much needed.

 

Then it was back home to pack for ITALY! I will be in a taxi leaving for our ten day adventure in only 6 hours (which means my lovely Americans – it will only be 10pm your time, but I will be starting my Friday morning….woah)

 

We are so excited – I am so glad the packing is over, my clothes are clean, my sheets are fluffy and I am simply ready to get a couple of hours of sleep and then head off on this amazing trip!

Here is the tentative (reformed go with the flow Jenny is learning to use this terminology) itinerary:

 

Friday, October 17: Fly from London Gatwick to Pisa International Airport

See the Leaning Tower of Pisa

Take a train to Florence

Saturday, October 18: Florence: See the David at 9:15am, Florence Wine Tour 5pm (meets at Seidivino wine Bar – in Borgo Ognissanti 42 / R),

Sunday, October 19: Hop on, Hop off Florence Bus tour - Florence railway station and Porta San Frediano) then take an evening train from Florence to Rome

Monday, October 20: Rome – Walking tour of the city

Tuesday, October 21: Rome – Vatican City

Wednesday, October 22: Rome – Free day to shop and see markets

Thursday, October 23: Morning train from Rome to Naples (about 2 hours)- take a ferry boat (50- 90 minutes) to Sorrento

Friday, October 24: Sorrento – Island of Capri via Ferry

Saturday, October 25: Sorrento- Amalfi Coast

Sunday, October 26: Fly from Naples to London

 

It will be such an amazing experience and I will have my computer – so while blogs may not be daily, I will do my best to keep you all posted. Get excited!

So, tomorrow morning when I wake, while it will be 2:15am – which is when I went to sleep last night – I am certain it will be different than the rude awakening I had this morning– because even though the sun will not have even risen, my nose and throat may still be stuffy and dry, and my eyes hardly rested, I will be waking to a new day in which I will get to embark on an Italian journey, and that alone will be enough to make the morning great.

Ciao Bellas!

Jenny