Wherever I may Rome/On red ships of Spain/Veni Vici Partay!

We're in Madrid (not in the picture). I know, large gap (in time and space) since the last time we checked in. Obviously, it's because we've been too busy, you know, getting awesome(obviously).

Galiga. I think anyone who has spent time there will speak about in a reverential tone. In the Tuscan hills northwest, but mostly west, outside of Firenze it is a place of spectacularly unending views. The house we stayed at was a farmhouse built in (maybe) 1770 where there are ten folks living there in bohemian style. They also have a room designated for guests and couch surfers. We came across it on CS and the initial messages went something to effect of "Hey, you guys sound like you have some awesome going on and we're in the area, can we couch surf on this day?" 'Yeah sure, but we're throwing this awesome party on this day, can you come earlier?' "Of course we can, we love to party!"
The first night we were treated to a delicious meal and drinks and the next day was spent meeting some fellow cs'ers, Tamara, Alex, Florence and David. And trying to help set up for the party.

The party was rad.

 Early, G getting schooled at chess....

 ...and foos....

 ....and dancing....

 Ok, I'm kidding about the dancing.

Yeah.

Needless to say it was fun night. People, danced, laughed, made pizza (it is Italy), drank, played foos, and danced some more. We capped the night drinking a loudmouthed polish dude named Bart under the table and JD repeatedly yelling vaffanculo (it was actually more like Franco Culo!) at absolutely nobody in particular and trying his hardest to stay upright. After that, the days blended in together in a beautiful haze. One fantastic meal bled into the next (did I mention the garden? Delicious) and one night of partying turned into another, the low light was us being tired as all get out and having our brains turned to mush by hours of drum and bass at a neighbor's party. But that was easily laughed off. Later. After hours of sleep.
 Galiga was perfect. Some of the best views we've seen. My personal favorite actually. Night time, at the bottom of the hillock the house sits on there's a fork in the road and as you start to gaze upward you see a large field that at some point held crops of some kind (I like to think it was a vineyard mainly because I'm a wino) and then further up five of the rugged Tuscan cascade into each to form a "w" sitting atop a "v" with the lights of houses  dancing across all while a light fog rolled over. Something like beautiful. Given all this, we did not want to leave. We even stayed an extra day, which cut our Piza trip (mercifully) short. It also saved us a ton of money on gelato, (which as you'll see, we made for in Roma).  For further reiteration, the food was phenomenal in Galiga.

A view.... from the bathroom

After Galiga was Firenze. Well, Firenze, and some recovery sleep. It was a bit like coming out of a waking dream. We were slightly disoriented and all the civilization didn't help matters. But bless my lil Assassin's heart we had things to see! 

 Leap of faith?

Caw! 

The Duomo was amazing and very well maintained and contained so amazing art inside the actual dome as well as breathtaking views of the city. I spent good portion looking for good spots to perform a  "leap of faith". The city itself was very clean and had some good spots to party, take in some views, and see some of the best history has to offer. Da Vinci? Yes. Quick note, if you stay at the Hostel 7 Santi DO NOT eat the food. The dudes stomach's did not agree with that merda. Also, that place, (the hostel) we guess was a former mental institution. Great vibes. Better A/C. I digress. Florence, is gorgeous and next time through we will be more thorough but this time we had to make it to:

PIZA!

For an hour. Not a lot to do there. We got gelato. And took silly pictures of this gaffe. As well as all the annoying people trying to take their pictures. Like these fools.

 

So, after a quick stop in Piza, we wound up having to run to make the train. Which worked out because there was a young mother running to make the same train except it was all stairs and she was pushing a stroller. We were on the case. She made it. After another scenic train ride (seriously, we are missing out in the U.S.) 

ROME!

The motherland of gelato. 

Eleven scoops. In fifteen minutes. Stuff is like taking ecstasy, makes ya feel soooo happy. Between seeing the myriad sites we tried as many different flavors as we could. And that turned out to be quite a few. We ate some at the same place they filmed a scene of "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn. We found that out secondhand from a passing tour guide as we ate a "monster" bucket as part of J.D.'s 29th birthday celebration. 

But, being in Rome, we had a few things to see and do:

 If you squint really hard you cannot actually see the pontiff smoking a doob in his apartment. Left

 Victory for Vittorio. This is not Vegas

 Yo Mikey! 

 The Pantheon. Minus, the pantheon (of gods)

 These fresh water springs are all over the city, this dude, was the coolest.

 Ceasar Do

 Castel Sant Angelo. AC moment.

 Hey Socrates, what's shaking? "Well, I'm not" -Socrates

 Why you always lurking G?

St. Pete's Basilica was Pope-a-riffic. And provided the best panoramic views of the city. Trajan's Column: beautiful. Our hostel was really a campsite on the outskirts of town and everything you needed (booze) was on premises, including a club. We danced, they played T.I. In between the six songs that are really really really really popular in Europe right now.

I feel like a real A'hole if I began to tell you about the specific sites that (heavily) dot Rome's map. What I can say is that you should see them for yourself. And, despite rumors and signs and security, you CAN actually take pictures in the Sisteen Chapel. And getting in the "audio guide" line at the Coliseum will save you an hour of waiting in line.

In all seriousness, Rome is awesome. The people there still feel like they are part of the empire and have a bit of the swag to show it. Public transport is easy if a bit busy. Go forth, and see that merda. And of course there's tons of gelato.

(did you see this face?!?!?)

Coming down from a severe party/gelato/history hangover, we boarded the plane to Barcelona. We wound spending four days at our hostel, which sits thirty minutes outside the main centre, in a national park. There were a bunch of wild pigs to prove it

It was awesome. Mainly because we made it so. We made friends with some Swedish girls and a Cool french guy name of Map that we're going to hang out with in Paris. 

 Party

 Party?

We also made it into the city and partook in some of the local fare as well as checked out the marina. Being there, it was easy to see the heavy spanish influence in places in the states, San Diego especially.

Got your fried calamari right here Tokar

 Hey lady, what's so funny?

Hey lady, my friend thinks you're cute.

We are currently in Madrid, holing up at a hostel that doubles as a refugee habitat on the outer edge of the city living off of nutella(yum) and bread. Keeping it cheap. We'll be here for the duration of the month, getting awesome, before we head to the city of lights, Paris. You'll hear from us soon.

Stay Awesome