Thursday, May 15, 2014

The Trips Continues

Hello friends,

So, I  have been on the road a lot in the last 3 weeks. Accordingly the need to update my blog presented itself. To which I can also proudly say that it has been less than a month since the last time I updated. However that is a fact which is most likley more entertaining for me than for you. Yet I have digressed from the original point. Back to the traveling, shall we? So the last time you heard from me, I was preparing for a trip to The Blue Coast of France and Italy. After that trip I returned to Varallo only to leave several days later on a trip to the Cinque Terre. To this trip, the credit belongs to Rotary. Thank you Rotary for your generosity in organizing the trip to the Cinque Terre. To present day, I am on a bus returning from Rome at this moment. Then to the future, we will see what travel it brings me. 

For those who may happen to be geographically impared let me explain where The Blue Coast. The Blue Coast, is the name given to Southern Frances border with the deep abyss. The region also continues into Italy, yet is best known for its French beach towns.
However, to the actual expirience. I spent one day in San Remo, one in Monte Carlo, and one in Menton. Of the three let us concentrate on Monte Carlo. Monte Carlo, is the most famous and only city in the Principality of Monaco. The city is renound for its yearly Formula 1 race, which features cars flying around tight corners overhanging the perilous ocean. Monte Carlo is also known as one of the worlds most famous billionaire hangouts. The amount of wealth in the city is part of what gives the city its unique character. We walked along the truley magnificent harbor which is filled with breath taking  yachts like normal cities are filled with Toyotas. After navigating ourselves through the floating jungle of, we hiked to  the heart of Monte Carlo; the casino. I arrived at the casino with spirits high, as I am a skilled poker player, but left with spirits crushed. Why you ask, because even in Monte Carlo 17 year olds cannot gamble. I will have to wait till next time to display my poker skill. After being turned away from the casino, I did what any normal 17 year old would do. I took a picture next to the new Rolls Royce parked in front. After leaving the casino we ended our day by driving to the high point of Monte Carlo where there is the princes palace, that is rightly accoustomed with a view fit for a prince. At the end it was a day I will never forget, and a city I hope to return with my own Rolls Royce on day. 

The succeeding trip was to The Cinque Terre, which in english transaltes to the five lands. The Cinque Terre are five old fishing towns that have turned into a tourist attraction. The draw to these five towns is quite exciting for an adventure lover like myself. The first notable thing about the Cinque Terre is how isolated they are from the rest of Italy. To arrive and to leave the area, you must take a train or boat, the towns are not accesible by car. Then once you arrive in the Cinque Terre, you are instantly overwhlemed by the beauty of the ocean mixed with the multi-colored buildings. It is really a sight to see. The trip as mentioned before was Rotary operated and funded. We (RYE Students & Rotarians) spent two night exploring the area in and around the Cinque Terre. The trip was exquisite, and what I saw was gorgeous. However if I had to chose the best part of the weekend it would be the time I spent with my fellow exchangers, and the memories we created togeather. Then before I knew it I was on a bus back to Varallo with only memories to comfort the fact that the weekend was over. 

The historical Mecca of our modern world. The Vaticans shield. The capital of Italy; the city of Rome. Early this week I returned from this cultural paradise, which I quickly dubbed Varallo's 
antipode. The city is to grand to correctly summarize in any type of blog, however I will briefly describe the city to my interpretation of it. Rome is a city to be visited by all goers of life, as it contains a mixture of culture unique to itself. The food is always good, the people are happy, and there is always a new monument to explore. The highlight of my trip was a tie between the colliseum and Piazza Navona. Then without a doubt, a  night walk to the Fontana di Trevi should not be turned down by anyone. It is a must do for any future tourists. However as stated the city has to much to write about in one blog. So I will stop my summary on Rome here.  I will leave you with the fact that the mix of culture, atmosphere, and monuments is what gives the city its axiom as the city of love. It is a city that belongs at the top of any travelers list.

That completes the story of my recent travels, and in turn completes my blog. To my readers, I thank you and until next time...

Grazie e Arrivederci,
Logan White


Monte Carlo Casino

Monte Carlo Marina
From another angle
Portovenere 
End of a hike in the Cinque Terre

Cove in Cinque Terre

Rotary Friends and I

Rome
Trevi
Colleseum
Pantheon
Inside the Pantheon