Drinking From The Ganges

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Photos of Italy-

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Reverse ‘culture shock’

Culture shock is a funny thing…usually happens from going to a first world country to a third world, but can happen in reverse!  Which is precisely what happened to me.  After many months of traveling in South America, where i had to discard my used toilet paper in the garbage after every toilet usage or make sure I was careful not to consume the water from the sink….or had to ask in ’spanlish’ for directions, because very few people spoke English. To a country (Italy), where everything is ’simple’!  With every turn there was a street sign indicating the direction for a tourist attraction and if you cannot quite figure out in which direction the arrow was pointing…you ask in English how to get there…..and they understand!  Imagine that, EASY!

Also, the type of the people traveling changed.  It went from English and Australians in their mid to late twenties who were traveling extensively (six months to a year) to Americans and Canadians in their early twenties and late fifties to early sixties, who are all on two to three week vacation. 

I also, had ’sticker shock’…..i was paying for a bed in a hostel in South America an average of 8.50 a night.  However, in Italy I was paying about 28.00 dollars a night for a bed in a hostel.  Don’t get me wrong, I knew I would pay more in Europe, but it was just the initial shock. 

Prior to arriving in Europe, i didn’t really have a plan of ‘action…’ as a result, I basically ‘winged’ it and made plans as the days progressed.  The one sure ‘thing’ was, my plane landed in Rome, Italy and I would disembark!

I had been to Rome, Italy on several occasions in the past, as a result I did not find it necessary to go to all the museums.  So, instead I decided to walk and eat my way through Rome….instead of packing my day full of museums and more museums -trust me there are enough museums in Rome to fill a two week vacation! 

During my three days in Rome, I formulated a plan, the plan was-  to make my way to Milan, Italy and take a flight to Marrakesh, Morocco.  However, on my way to Milan I would stop off for a few days in Siena, Florence and Pisa.  I chose these cities in particular, because I have never been to Siena, Florence is my favorite city in Italy and I always wanted see ‘The Leaning Tower of Pisa’.

I saw all of the above mentioned cities and have since left Italy and am now in Marrakesh, Morocco…..which is an entirely different country, entirely!