The Intriguing Rome

ROME DAY 1

Arriving at Rome's Termini Station at night. Upon circling around the back of Termini while trying to find my hotel, my memory went to Terminal Kampung Melayu in East Jakarta. Termini is Rome's main station, like many train stations in Western Europe, the station has nice stores and restaurants. Yet I found the back of Termini quite dirty and unpleasant with beggars standing everywhere. Luckily my hotel --albeit close-- was located to the direction of Colosseum. The room was quite small but more importantly, it's in a good area where I can visited important parts of Rome by foot.

As it was already near dark, that night I just went out for dinner at a Chinese restaurant in front of Termini station then taking a nice long bath before went to bed.

ROME DAY 2

Walking past a small store on my way to Colosseum, saw 'ROMA PASS' sign on the window. Went in and bought Roma Pass for 36 EUR. It covers ticket to Rome's main antiquities including 48 hours free public transport. Plus, ain't need to wait in a long line when visiting Colosseum. This blueprint for stadium construction along with neighboring artifacts of Roman Forum and Palatine Hill made thinking of all those famous Romans that have stepped their foot on that path I walked. 

Lunch was a giant size pizza not far from the Pantheon where tombs of Italian greats were. I ate it while enjoying the beauty of Rococo's masterpiece of Trevi Fountain. The place was so crowded by tourists, I felt lucky to be able to get even a small spot for resting me feet there. But then again, everywhere in Rome during Springs were so crowded with tourists. I didn't even need to check my map to find all the main attractions. I just simply followed where the crowds (read: bunches of American tourists) go.  

Lastly, took a detour through Campo de Fiori - Piazza de Spagna and the Spanish Steps. Took a bus ride back to Termini, checking the station's bookstores and had another dinner at the Chinese restaurant I went last night. It was foolish thing actually, having dinner in a mediocre Chinese restaurant while in Rome. My appetite however told me differently, my appetite directed me to a plate of rice, be it a plate of fried rice I could have been cooked better at home.


ROME DAY 3

When visiting Paris, I could not help to think how blessed these Europeans were. With list of Europe great minds coloring the world's history and building human civilization. During my visit to the Vatican, the same thought was crossing my mind. It was such a terrific experience surrounded with beautiful paintings and amazing --I gotta say-- level of holiness. 

After spent my entire daytime walking through an endless hall of Vatican Museum to Sistine Chapel, I no longer had the energy to stretch feet to Rome's Jewish Quarter or Ghetto. So I took a bus instead. Was it worth the trip? Uhm, there are stores and as I was told, good restaurants there. Because I traveled solo, I did not have the courage to go in and eat alone. People seems to be part of small or large groups, talking and laughing loudly, making me felt a bit lonely. Bought another pizza for dinner and ate in my small hotel room. It was good, if only they have small .   


ROME DAY 4

Early morning flight back to Holland after a week way. Last night when I stopped at the lobby to order taxi, the concierge suggested that I could just take Rome's airport trans service. I would be picked up at the hotel in a comfortable minibus, and it would be less expensive. Good choice. "Ok? Then I'd make the call for you," he says. Well, grazie!

Home of the Milanos

First impression: clean, neat, well-organized and businesslike.

Dig deeper and I found: clean, neat, well-organized, businesslike...the city felt less lively than Rome.

What made me sorry: unable to see Da Vinci's Last Supper Painting at Santa Maria delle Grazie and visit AC Milan's San Siro Stadium.

Unforgettable experiences: 

- climbing up the stairs at The Duomo. Milan's most famous Cathedral, the Gothic Church was built in 1386 and impressively beautiful. In fact, Milan is home to oldest churches in Italy maybe even Europe, since the city was capital of the Northern part of late Roman Empire.

- befriended a Philippine woman who works as an au' pair. I met her while having lunch in a fast food restaurant. She was on her day-off. Within an hour we went window shopping near The Duomo.

Recommended: since cleanliness and inside bathroom are my top priorities, I was truly satisfied with Delizia Hostel on Via Archimede. The place might be a bit far from Milan's city center (approx. 15 minutes bus ride from Milan Central Station), but for 50 EUR per night I got myself a very clean room with private bathroom. I arrived at Delizia after taking an early morning flight from Paris, my low-sugar level kicked in and I thought I would throw up right there, at the hotel's lobby area. I asked the reception if I could get a cup of sweet hot tea. He immediately prepared me one but refused to accept payment, even a tip. 

O Little Child~

Me: Seeing little children smile always cost me a mixture of sadness..
Him: Why?
Me: Makes thinking of hurtful moments awaiting in their future...the pain, the sadness, little volcanoes that would change their innocent eyes into bitterness.
Him: But that is the process of maturity. We do not know what will waiting for them in the future, yet we can prepare them to face their problem gracefully.

A Friday Afternoon in Maastricht

Every town in the Netherlands has what they call 'market day', where traditional market is held in front of the city's town hall. In Maastricht, market days fall on Wednesday and Friday. 

Fitri loves the market, while I --mostly buy my groceries in Albert Heijn or Aldi--- have never gone there. So when she told she loves spending time buying fresh ingredients at the market, I asked if I could come with her. Fitri said yes, and we later set up the date on Friday. Fitri doesn't have classes on Friday and I could really use a short break from my thesis.

The market is full with fresh ingredients including fresh beautiful flowers. The sellers there are nice and friendly, I enjoyed our little chat with them. 

Afterward, I met Cumaziye and Denitsa at a cafe in front of Selexyz bookstore. We were laughing all the time. It was a Friday well-spent.

Paris, First Timer

First time in Paris! So of course I did lots of mistakes commonly do by Paris first-timers...

I haven't done enough research before my departure, partly because I was too busy preparing thesis proposal, party because it's not a well-planned trip. I booked cheap Eurolines ticket (55 Eur two-ways) in between breaks while sitting at the university library.

To take the bus, I needed to go to Eindhoven first. Then boarded six hours ride to Paris via Brussels. Spent most of the journey sleeping. I was too tired because the day before we --Indonesian students in Maastricht-- had Karma's farewell dinner at Athene until late night.

For me, Eurolines should be the last option for cross-countries travel. I found out later that there are better options than Eurolines which is dirty and has extremely uncomfortable seats...my back was hurt when I woke up.

I did mistake in choosing a hotel too. Having been inexperienced and spoiled by auntie Mir's first class accommodation. I booked for the cheapest motel online without carefully checking its reviews on Tripadvisor (and even Tripadvisor could not always be a guarantee).

As a first timer in Paris, of course I could not missed the city's most cliche' tourist places:

• Signed up for the Hop On-Off bus, I think it's the best way to visit touristy places for a first timer.
• Waiting in super long lines for Eiffel Tower and could not help myself to buy cute souvenirs in its shop. I'm a sucker for souvenir shops.
• Went to the Louvre and took a snap in front of Monalisa...so small, so ordinary!! There are many other magnificent paintings in Louvre, Monalisa however, is valued for its enigmatic codes.
• Took a stroll through Seine and visited Notre Dame.
• I once went to food court at Carrousel du Louvre for lunch...should have bought Parisian street vendor crepes instead.

Things I found out in Paris:

• Paris has great supermarkets...I done it the Dutch way and bought supplies for simple breakfast and dinner. 
• Paris is no different than any other big cities in the world. There are many parts of the cities that are beautiful and magnificent, but there also seedy neighborhoods around. My theory is the bigger the city, the more 'dark spots' can be found. 
• It's better to go to Paris with train than Eurolines! I could not stand to take another Eurolines back home so I went to Paris du Nord station and bought a one way ticket to Maastricht. It only took three hours and so much better ride. Plus side, Thalys train is super comfy, I wouldn't mind spending the night in it.
• Contrary to what people say, I found many quite helpful Parisians who are willing to speak English clearly. They even given me advises voluntary. When I bought my Thalys ticket at Paris Gare du Nord's ticket counter, the man behind the locket said, "You should buy your ticket long before, the earlier you buy the cheaper you get." 

A Day in Antwerp

When we met during Ayam Taliwang dinner party at Suksma's place, I asked Rini if she wanted to travel to Antwerp with me. She didn't sound too eager at the time, so I was surprised when on a Saturday morning she wrote on my Facebook wall confirming to come. Later in the afternoon, Yanti also wrote that she wanted to joint us. 

We agreed to meet in front of Maastricht Centraal Station on a Sunday morning. Then we took a bus to Liege followed by a train that went straight from Liege train station to Antwerp. I must say I admire Rini and Yanti cleverness. They seems have been travelling together many times before, because  there are two lines at the ticket counter of Liege train station, because they clearly knew how to work together in an efficient manner (am I sounded like those management books?). For example, when we were at Liege's train station, there were two lines waiting for turn in front of the ticket's counter. Rini immediately stood in one line and Yanti on the other. When it turns Rini's line was faster and she got served first than Yanti's, we all went to Rini's to pay our tickets.

Smart eh?

After nearly two hours journey, we finally arrived at Antwerp Central Station. Antwerp Central Station is nothing like Brussel Central, it's also big and reminded me of Amsterdam Centraal Station, but much cleaner. 

As we stepped our foot outside the station, I immediately decided that I like Antwerp. The city is very different from Brussels, Liege and Bruges that I also have visited. It's definitely more crowded with a mix of modern and busy vibes all in one. No wonder, Antwerp is known as "Diamond City" with 70% diamonds of this planet earth are traded there. Also well-known as "fashion cit"y, Antwerp's the Meir, is one of the most famous shopping street in Belgium. 

First we had lunch at a Spanish restaurant not far from the train station. Considering we wear our clothes in Small size, we each ordered a large portion of ribs that came in with fat fries without hesitation. Delicioso!

Then we went ring-hunting in several diamond shops nearby. Because Rini went for a mission: to give design options for a relative that will tie the knot. Yanti was on a mission too, to give a hint for her 'other man' who had left his long-time girlfriend for her and has given hint that Yanti might be the one. To flirt with this other man (Yanti herself is not single), she asked me to take several pictures of her pointing to the rings that she'd like...talk about clear hint ;D.

We spent most of our time in Antwerp wandering the Meir and then trendy Kammenstraat. There are also ZARA stores along the Meir, but while in Antwerp we thought it's better to go shopping for brands that are not available in Maastricht.

~to a girl with a grudge

You didn't return my last email. I know you are one of those people who constantly check their messages and reply immediately. I understand. It is fine. We both have been hurt. It's just...it saddened me that you are still in the same place as the last time we spoke. Before everything changed and threw us apart.

I am no saint. I don't know if I would ever recover. From the hurtful feelings, from the betrayal, from the fact that you could judged me so wrong despite our decade of friendship. There were times when I shield myself, kept myself from other people. But reading your blog I could not stopped myself to care... and I even felt a moment of sadness...that life have not changed much for you. That you still not talking with your mother. That you made your own family an enemy. That you're the same angry bitter person full of bad thoughts toward others. That you would never stop carry grudge on your heart. That you are lonely.
Maybe we were no different after all. In the way we view the world and other people. After all we are our mother children. We were both born from women with anger. And so here we are, two broken people that would never be fully recovered.

But I just want to say this to you...we must stop this anger.
We must heal ourselves. No one can cure us from bitterness, it is the one thing that we must do alone. By ourselves. 

We cannot continue our life like this because then we could make ourselves an infectious decease...the kind of people that injects their bitterness to people. A cancer to others.