Daily // March 2005

March 21, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Last Day" Last Day Finally, it's the last day of our trip. Given a whole day to spend (or waste), I woke up at 9, had breakfast at group A's monastery (which was quite good), and simply walked around. First, I walked to the Rialto Bridge and 'window' shopped in the free market. Then, I went to San Macro Square, got a few cute dolls, bought a gelato, and sat there for almost an hour. Afterwards, I walked back to the shoreline near my monastery and looked for a place for lunch. It was already 2:30 by then. I ended up walking into a really decent restaurant and had a 'burusa' spaghetti. Oh well it was tasty. Anyway, after lunch, I sat down (again) at the shoreline and had a cup of hot chocolate. Eventually I got tired of it and went back to my room and napped for about an hour. Around 7, our group met at the Accademia Bridge and headed to a restaurant for a farewell dinner. Unfortunately, everyone complained about their dishes. My 'curry' chicken was actually okay though. Anyhow, we thanked Massimo for being a great tour director in these 10 days. Yeah Max1! For tmr, we'll meet at the bridge at 4:45am and ferry to VCE airport.. Still haven't finished packing yet. Kinda excited that I'm finally heading back to HK. See ya, Italy! Until next time!

March 20, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Confusing Canals" Confusing Canals Second day at Venice. Had a sleep-in today. Woke up around 9, dressed up, and bought a hot chocolate and a croissant for breakfast. Met our tourguide at 10, and visited the Doge's and the famous Rialto Bridges, the Basilica of San Macro and of course, the San Macro Square. For some reason, San Macro Square looked completely different from what I had expected. Oh well..this always happens, right? For lunch, I joined Matt, John, Tommy and Justin at a pizzeria and I had a 11 euro pizza. It was quite good (it better be). Then we walked in some free markets and had gelato before heading back to our monasteries (we were in different ones). Apparently it was a tough job to find our way back, since all the alleys looked the same and so did the canals. Eventually I got back, rested, and dressed for our Palm Sunday Mass guest-performance at the Basilica of San Macro (!). It was a great mass, but during the performance my stomache hurted so much and I was ready to vomit at anytime. Thank God that I didn't. After the mass, we had dinner in a trattoria close to my monastery. The food was great. We were fill to our throats with quality food. Headed back to the monastery and, well, showered and now ready to go to bed. Tmr's a free day. No idea as to where I'll be going. Might as well just walk around..with my map, this time.

March 19, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Padova, and Venice" Padova, and Venice Woke up at 7:15, packed up, and had breakfast before an early departure for Florence. During the drive, I felt kinda sick but fortunately we were able to stop for a break due to some unexpected traffic jam. We then continued the drive, arrived at Padova and visited the Scrovegni Chapel. It was okay..just not very intriguing. Anyway, due to the traffic jam, our lunch hour was changed to half an hour. I got myself a small sandwich and called home in a phone booth. Afterwards, we continued our drive to Venice. When we finally arrived, we got off our bus, waved our goodbyes to Mario, and walked to a dock nearby. Thereby, we got onto private water taxis to the monasteries. It was quite cool indeed. Anyway, for the next three nights, I will be rooming with Justin, in a room that looks more like a hotel's than a monastery's. Tmr shall be an easy day, with our last concert at night. Goodbye for now.

March 18, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Florence" Florence After a good fifteen minute breakfast this morning, we met our guides again and visited some buildings owned by the Medici family. We then walked to the Duomo of Florence (the famous one), and toured inside it. Unfortunately, we (or I) did not get to the top level of the dome, because it's currently under construction and also that I'm a acrophobie.. Anyway, after visiting the Duomo, we walked back to the old church near our monastary and strolled inside. Then, we were free! Free till 7:30! Six hours of free time! Well, having no plans at all, I led Paul (who was quite sick) across half the city to find a restaurant.. He was just mad. Oh well, we finally decided on which one after much argument. Lunch was actually pretty good. I had a slice of pizza and some pasta. After lunch, Paul left and I strolled in the city alone. Given so much time, I even walked to some inner streets of Florence where I was almost lost.. Afterall I found my way and headed back to the monastery at 5ish. At 7:30, we performed to the nuns on the stairs. Why? Partly to apologize for disturbing them and other inhabitants in the monastary around 2 last night. Oh well, I was of course, not one of the noisy people, and I honestly did not hear anything while I was sleeping (apparently the nuns heard breaking glasses). Perhaps they have better ears than I do. Anyway, early transfer to Venice tmr. Better sleep early and tight. Good nite.

March 17, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "David" David I woke up this morning with the feeling that I could return to sleep for a few hours until Justin said, "It's 8:40". I jumped out of bed, got dressed, and rushed for breakfast. Unfortunately, while I was still stirring my hot chocolate, I'm forced to leave. Sigh.. Anyway, in the morning we visited the Old Bridge and a few galleries including the Accademia Gallery, which contained the famous sculpture David by Michelangelo. It was just..HUGE. Also, it's interesting to see that such powerful man shows fear too (in the dawn of war in this case). In the afternoon, we, surprisingly, had three hours of free time. Paul and I simply wandered around in Florence. I bought a phone card (finally) and immediately called home. Apparently, I haven't called home for more than a week. Anyway, Paul found a Museum of Math and Science, and we enjoyed the museum for about an hour. Afterwards, I saw some filming places of Triumph in the Skies. Have a look. Around 6, we had our fourth concert. It was quite good indeed to have a concert in the city instead of the suburbs (where the audiences are usually old fellows). We had dinner at 9:30 in a local trattoria, and the food was superb. After dinner we trotted back to the monastery since its door close by 11. Luckly enough, they waited for us to get back. Nice nuns.

March 16, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Serendipity" Serendipty Woke up at eight, got everything ready, bought a croissant and joined the group for an early departure for Florence. En route, we visited the famous town of Siena. There, we toured around and had some shopping time. After lunch, we continued our drive and visited San Gimignano and stroll through the town. During my freetime, I accidentally passed by the DaVinci Museum, and I, of course, paid a visit there and saw some remade works of his. In addition, I hiked up to the highest point of the town and took some amazing pictures. When we finally arrived at Florence, it was already 7:30pm. We quickly walked to our monastery and had dinner there. Around nine, we promenaded in the town and had ice cream. That's about it for today.. Oh btw, I'm rooming with Paul and Justin this time..in a room for four though, which is quite satisfying indeed.

March 15, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Bridge" Bridge After breakfast today, we departed for Spoleto and had a walking tour there. Amazing church and shops there. Visited the breaktaking Roman Bridge and took some pictures. Our group actually walked to the middle of the huge bridge and did a 'barbaric yelp'. It was terrific. Since we were in a rush, lunch was only for half an hour. I got myself two sandwiches in a cafe. After lunch, I came across a shop named Desir and bought another souvenir for my bro.. Then, we traveled to Assisi, visited the Basilica of San Franchesco, had an early dinner (quite good..), and performed in a local church. This church was even tinier than the last one, and less audience came too. Please, better churches and more audiences next time!

March 14, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Monday" Monday It turns out to be a good Monday. On my way to breakfast, I witnessed the howling wolves they were talking about - apparently we were warned about the wolves stationed in the garden when the nun's are at rest.. Oh well, I got over them. After breakfast we had a walking tour in Bevagna for about two hours. My legs were terribly sore then. For lunch, Paul and I went to the restaurant next to our lodging. Well, I ordered a tradional dish this time - spaghetti with tomato sauce. It was certainly good, but I'd still prefer something different. Anyway, in the afternoon, we visited Spello (village among a hill, therefore with very slanted streets), and took some amazing sunset pictures. After dinner we had our second concert in the church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The church was less impressive than the first one.. And less audience came too.. Hope that our next performance will be more crowded and..you get the idea. I'm sleepy..good night and bye for now..yawn..

March 13, 2005   Italy Trip Entry - "Turmoil" Turmoil Woke up at eight, waited fifteen minutes to access our constantly-occupied bathroom, dressed, packed my luggage, and went down for breakfast. Immediately after, we headed to our comfy coach and left Italy for Bevagna. En route the three hour drive, we visited the Chapel of San Brizio at Orvieto. What's so special about the chapel? It is a massive chapel but doesn't look like one because of the alternating black & white stones used to construct it. Had lunch with Paul at a restaurant somewhere close to the chapel. I was ordering a hamburger while the lady, who doesn't speak much english, pointed to something else more expensive. Well, I disregarded her and order my choice. Then, it came. It came with a piece of grilled meat, a leaf of lettuce, and..oh that's it. There wasn't even tomatoes or bread with it. Oh well.. Perhaps I should try to comprehend what others say, afterall. Also bought a souvenir for my bro. When we finally arrived at our monastery in Bevagna, Fifer attempted to give out our room keys. It was a total chaos. Turmoil. Ah..whatever. Had dinner in the monastery's restaurant, and it was actually quite good. During dinner, I noticed something. People eat bread with no etiquette at all - they just take a slice and stuff it into their mouths. Don't they know that they're supposed to tear a small piece and eat it slowly? Sigh. Americans. "Americans, you are on the wrong way!" Aren't they just lovable? After dinner Justin and I wandered in the streets. The city was deserted. In half boredom and half frustration, I returned to my room, and now, I'm typing this entry. It's been a long day. Perhaps I should get some sleep. Or should I? We'll see..