Resting in Rome (A Brief Layover)

Layovers can be fun, but more often than not, for me at least, they're brutal.

This picture really has nothing to do with the post, but it was taken in Rome, and I like it.

At the end of a long traveling day, I just want to rest and refresh. And layovers are the types of things that stand in my way of exploration and rest. Because, really, can you rest during a layover?

Not I.

Our layover began with getting into another black van, this time with three strange Italian men. Then we got into a traffic jam outside the airport. Then it got dark. For a while there, we seriously thought we were goners, and that this...odd, possibly bad decision could be our last.

But it wasn't. We got to our bungalow just fine, and the men promised they would come get us in the morning. After a night in the coldest room ever, the men kept their word. They were back, and they got us to the airport on time, only accepting their payment after their full job of taking us to and from the airport was done.

Shame on me for judging circumstances too quickly.

The campsite where we stayed was huge. During the summer season, it would have been a resort for families. It still was, but many of the amenities weren't open, as it was very cold. We were in the middle of a gorgeous Italian forest overlooking the city, the trees growing to the stars.

It was also cheap, which is always a good plus.

The staff were friendly, if not a tad flirtatious, and the attractive man at the front desk kindly called a van to take us to our bungalow, as it was on the other side of the campsite. The beds were great; Rachel, the early riser, got her own room and didn't have to worry about night owls Kalli and I bothering her.

Our time at the bungalow was all too short, we had to wake up before dawn to meet our van, and our hair was still wet from the night before. But we knew that Spain was coming soon, and that was something to look forward to.

Vivacious in Venice

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amorehhhhh. 

A vaporetto

Our next stop, and by far my favorite, was lovely Venezia. When we arrived at Marco Polo airport from Naples, we were exhausted and ready for some good quality sleep in a soft bed. 

The beds were great at our fancy Italian hotel, but the wardrobe, er, well, special. It was covered reliefs of people in the throes of passion. And it was just as awkward as you might think it is. At least the humor of the lady behind the front desk was on par. After being paid only coins by one of our little group, she puts on a stern face and says, "I may have to kill you."

Vaporetti stop

The next morning was chilly, and rainy, and gross all around. The hotel provided a shuttle (for a little extra moolah) to the city center. There we had to do what we usually did when we went to a new locale; we sped to the nearest tourist center to ask for directions. 

And this tourist center, in fact, was the most helpful place we went the whole trip. They taught us how to navigate the vaporetti water bus line, and told us great places to go in the local area, including the colorful island of Burano and the isle of glass, Murano. 

But the first thing we did in the city? Hired a gondolier. Rode through the quiet and quaint canals of Venice, waving to passersby as we went. It was expensive, but very, very worth it. It helped that there were four of us, so we could split the steep cost.

It was a rainy day in Venice.

Next was Burano, an hour away by vaporetto. We shivered on the covered deck in the rain, but the fresh air did us some good. It kept Rachael and I from being seasick especially. Not being seasick is always good.

By the time we spotted the colorful buildings of Burano, we were famished. The first thing on our agendas became acquiring some sustenance for our growling bellies. After searching for a while in the rain, we settled on a cozy cafe...

...that ended up having the best pizza ever. In the world. And the world is a big place, you guys.

Amy, Rachael, and I split a breakfast pizza, while Kalli chowed down on her personal pepperoni. I also ordered a pasta dish with ham and mushrooms. It was so good.

The prison bridge

And for dessert, tiramisu. My second favorite dessert. It was a little square of heaven.

The waiter told me that I shouldn't share with my friends. I assured him that I wouldn't. He told me he was kidding. I told him that I wasn't.

This got a laugh out of everyone in the room. Good spirits and good moods were everywhere. The Italians are really on to something here.

After lunch, we looked around the isle. There were a variety of shops that sold lace, which was Burano was famous for, as well as Murano glass, which is not only gorgeous, but globally acclaimed glass.

It was almost dark when we headed back to the station to wait on our vaporetto. Our bags were full of souvenirs and our hearts were full. It was drizzling, but the cold and the wet couldn't dampen our moods now.

A rather large vaporetto came to collect everyone. We talked away the hour ride back to Venice, where it was only raining harder. Some more souvenir exploration was done, then we trooped into a restaurant for dinner and back out again to catch our shuttle, with bellies satisfied.

The next morning, Rachael, Kalli, and I did some more exploring of Venice while we waited to catch our shuttle to the airport. Amy had an early flight to Spain, so she would arrive hours ahead of us.

We loved Venice, but all too soon, we caught our flight to Madrid with a layover in Rome, which was a whole adventure unto itself.

View from a gondola.

A restaurant in Burano. 

A postcard come to life. 

Reflection

Deserted square

Model for a Day

Yesterday I had one of the most wonderful photographic experiences since I've come to London. And this time was a little different, as I'm usually behind the camera. This time, I was in front of it.

My roommate Julia received an offer from a new salon/photography studio called GK London to spend a day with a friend, getting a makeover, a manicure, and having a full-length photoshoot with all the pros.

And to my shock and excitement, Julia asked me to join her. I'm so very glad she did.

We prepared for the photoshoot that morning by showering and leaving our faces a blank canvas - no makeup just yet! Our closets were rummaged through as we tried to find at least four outfit changes - another requirement.

I had to dash out the door without getting anything to eat, because we were running slightly late, and even though GK wasn't far away, the tube can be a little unpredictable nowadays.

Getting ready. 

Our freshly-washed hair whipping in the wind, we arrived, and were offered tea on the spot. Because this is England, and we love our tea. The host, Christine, was a sweet Albanian in her late twenties, and she could make a mean cuppa.

GK London was running behind, so we had to wait a bit before our pampering began. In the meantime, we looked through a photo book, GK has a great portfolio, and drank some apple juice after the tea (that was me). Julia went first, and picked out a lovely burgundy for her nails. The Romanian stylist fixed her straight hair flowing waves and the Italian makeup artist worked her magic. I've always loved meeting people from all over the world, and this time was no different.

Julia, stunning already, finished her pampering looking like an absolute goddess.

She not only has a pretty face, but this smart lawyer-to-be is queen of the courtroom. 

Before I knew it, it was my turn. I got a scolding from the manicurist for picking at my nails; I had picked them down to the quick out of stress, but she graciously gave me a hand massage and painted my stubby little nails a beautiful taupe.

My hair and makeup were done at the same time so Julia wouldn't have to wait so long. By the time they had finished taming my thick, wavy tresses into curls (she agreed with me when I told her that I had enough hair for five people) and painting my face in makeup, I couldn't recognize myself anymore.

Guys, I usually never talk about myself in this manner, but I looked good.

Everyone said this could be my album cover. Buy my mixtape. 

I have a lot of hair. 

The photoshoot itself was a ton of fun. Our photographer kept things light and hilarious, even though English wasn't his first language. One of his favorite phrases was, "Don't you dare to move."

However, a few minutes, a cup of tea (Julia) and a glass of wine (me) later, our pictures were ours...for a price. And a high price it was too. Yikes. I could just hear my wallet begging me not to buy anything.


We got one picture each for free, then, because I paid both Julia and my deposit on the photoshoot, I got a second picture for free! She, purchased two, along with her free one.

It was a long, exhausting, but an overall great experience. GK London was an absolute joy to work with, and I highly recommend them for any styling and pro photoshoot needs.

BEFORE

AFTER

Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Take London

An alternate title of this post can be something along the lines of: Two Nerds in Sweaters Go on an Adventure. 

I've decided to create a little series entitled Ravenclaw & Gryffindor. Basically posts are part of this series when Kalli and I are doing Harry Potter related things. This post is technically the first one in the series, but it has been posted second. 

To begin this post, I'll need to once again provide background so everyone reading is on the same page. I wouldn't want to leave any of you lovelies behind! I'll label this section so those of who are familiar with The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the world of Harry Potter can jump ahead. 

But for the rest of you, here is some stuff you need to know before reading about the following adventures: 

The Background Information that Maggie Promised 

Now, I'm sure you've all heard of the Harry Potter books and movies, right? If not, here he is. Harry's this dude right here. But he's not just any dude, he's a wizard dude. Which causes all sorts of problems in his life. He attends school at a magical school called Hogwarts, where young magical folk go to learn about their magical skills, cool creatures, potion making, and so on. Hogwarts is divided into four houses. Gryffindor, the house that Harry Potter and myself belong to, is the most well known.

The other houses are Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Each of these houses have their own color and set of values that they uphold. Gryffindor is bravery, Ravenclaw is intelligence, Hufflepuff is loyalty, and Slytherin is ambition.

The kind of sweaters we're wearing in all of our pictures is the sort sported by the athletes of the wizarding sport of Quidditch. It's a crazy sport played on the back of a broom, and, in fact, I have played it myself. It's a mix between dodgeball, ultimate frisbee, and capture the flag. And it's probably the best sport ever.

 I just started my journey into Harry's world this past summer for the first time, and, believe it or not, it's been life changing. The topic really deserves a blog post or an article of its own. However, the Harry Potter series has had its share of controversy, which makes it unpopular with some parents, as there is a common belief that the books promote witchcraft (they really don't).

And to finish this little spiel, I'll add that my friend and travelling companion Kalli is a Ravenclaw.

Background Finished

Kalli brought home a brochure one day, and on that fateful piece of paper was a list of all the nearby locations where many pieces of the Harry Potter movies were filmed, as well as places that you could buy HP memorabilia, like chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans, jelly slugs, and galleons. 

We began our little tour at, where else, Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station, where young wizards and witches would push their luggage carts through the wall to meet the Hogwarts Express on the other side.  Unfortunately, the photographer was a Slytherin, and as everyone knows, Gryffindors and Slytherins usually don't get along very well. 

So we heckled each other for a while. It didn't help that one of my shoes flew off an almost knocked out an innocent Hufflepuff. The great part was that all of us got a great laugh together, people from around the world bonding on something magical that was, in reality, all too real to all of us. 

Kalli and I explored London, our House sweaters drawing many faces and whispers from children and adults alike. I was pretty sure some kiddos were convinced that I was a witch (this is where playing witches in previous stage productions comes in handy). 

But instead of me telling you about all the Pottery places I've puttered around in London, let me just show you! 

A pilgrimage location for every good Potterhead, Platform 9 3/4 is smack dab in the middle of King's Cross station. 

Left: Kalli and I on platform 4, where the scene was actually filmed. Platform 9 is elsewhere.
Right: Molly and Ginny Weasley look on as one of the older ones runs between the space between the platforms. 

Left: We're on our way to the Ministry of Magic!
Right: Ron Weasley on lookout duty nearby the Ministry of Magic

Left: Us on the windy Millennium Bridge
Right: The Millennium Bridge after the evil Death Eaters had their way with it. 

Left: A delicious chocolate frog from a candy shop

Right: Uh oh, Harry! Your frog's trying to escape!

Left: Kalli and I on one of the streets that inspired Diagon Alley
Right: Diagon Alley, a shopping thoroughfare for wizards, in all its glory. 

Roar Roar Gryffindor! 

Trafalgar Square, not only a central area in London, but where the world premiere of  'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2' was held!

Not to worry, friends. This is only where are adventures began; there's so much more ahead.
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