Benvenuti a Napoli!

Hey all!

After my last blog (as in the next day), I checked out of Hostel Pisa Tower, which I loved staying at, because they didn't have room for me for the next two nights. After checking out, I went back to the University to meet with Marco Pistolesi, an associate of Mauro Rosi's. I spent the day working with him and talking to mom to figure out where I should stay and how I should get to each island. By the end of the day, around 4, I had a solid plan for Vulcano and Stromboli!

So, I went back to Hostel Pisa Tower to pick up my bag, and then left for Hostel Station - Airport Pisa. What a trip! First off, I was tired from the start. Then, as I was walking there, I reached a neighborhood that felt really sketchy, based off of what it's like in the States. So, I was getting anxious, as well as being exhausted. Then, my road dead ended! I tried turning around and taking a slightly different turn...which was a driveway...I was freaking out. I wanted to give up. I wanted to collapse and start crying. But then I was too afraid to. So I just stood there and tried to think clearly.

Luckily, a kindhearted man drove up to his house, like right in front of me. I asked him for help finding the street that I was aiming for...he didn't know. He ended up giving me a ride to my hostel. I know that's not exactly a smart thing to do...but at that point, I really didn't care. I collapsed on my bed when I got there, and did a little crying to let all the frustration out, then I ordered a pizza and had it delivered! My night was improved with the pizza and with chatting online.

Yesterday, I woke up not feeling so great, after sleeping in a bit late. So I had a really slow moving morning. Around one or two, I took off for the university again...and got lost. At least once. I was not a happy camper. But I got my errands run, and I eventually got to the university. Upon getting there, I looked up a way to take the bus back to my hostel. After that, I met with Mauro and we planned my Napoli stay! Then, he gave me a personal interview! It was SO exciting to hear what my dream career is really all about and what can be done with it. It made this study seem so much more real, you know? I got completely jazzed about everything again. It was an AMAZING afternoon/evening.

So, I decided to walk to the train station, instead of catching a bus there. After all, I knew that part of the walk. It was totally worth it! I loved being out at that part of evening. I wanted to stop and experience it a bit more, but I didn't want to risk getting lost. Seeing that part of the culture has given me more confidence about being outside at night now though, so it won't be wasted on me! Anyway, I walked through town and picked up some gelato before catching my bus back to my hostel.

Back at my hostel, I talked with my two, new, English roommates. They told me an EASY way to get to the train station. So this morning I got up at 5:30 to catch a 6:49 train to Napoli! I was dead. I tell you, DEAD. But I got up, somehow, and managed to catch my train! I arrived in Naples around 1 this afternoon. On the train ride, I got some paper stuff done, I slept some, and I met a man that lives in Herculeam, or however you spell that, and his father was an archaeologist there, and brought an archaeological magazine for me to keep! It's all in Italian, of course, so I have no clue what it says yet, but it's the thought that counts!

I took a bus to near my hotel, found it, got checked in, and fought with internet. It took me a while to get the internet figured out here. But once I did, I went and took a shower, using the razor I found last night...OH MY WORD! It feels SO good to feel thoroughly and properly clean, which only comes with shaving! Sorry for that tangent. Anyway, I found food again and took a chill night off. But now I need to get to bed...tomorrow's a big day...oh, I didn't tell you? Let me expand...

I'M GOING TO POMPEII AND VESUVIUS TOMORROW!!! I'm entirely PSYCHED! My first trip to an ACTUAL VOLCANO on this trip! THIS is what I've been waiting for! So, I need to sleep so that I can thoroughly enjoy it and still, possibly anyway, blog about it tomorrow night! I can't wait! Wish me luck! I'm so excited!!! Can you tell? No way! I'm not at all excited. My heart rate didn't just jump like 50 beats per minute just thinking about this. No. Never. Lol. It totally did. I'm totally freaking out right now, so sleeping may take a while to actually happen. Wish me luck with that too.

Buonanotte!