Day 27 Hello Italy

 Ciao Everyone ( can be used for hello or goodbye)

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go, I'm sitting here right by the door.....OK you got the idea... Hello 6am..... I am heading to the train station for my trip to Turino, Italy. I have only been to Lake Como in Italy so I really don't know what to expect, but everyone is telling me how amazing it is. I board the train and fortunately meet a really nice man from Pakistan that is traveling for business. We start talking and he gave me some great travelling tips and told me some funny stories. He works in his family business selling surgical supplies that has been in business since 1908! So as we are loading our bags he tells me that every time the train stops to come out and stand by the bag until the door shuts and the train pulls away. Good advice! Then I go to sleep for a couple hours and the train stops and I diligently go stand by my bag, a few others were there as well. We repeat this many times on our trip, talking when we are waiting for the train to pull away. He told me funny stories of pic-pocketing. In 10 years he has only had attempts at pic-pocketing 3 times, and they were all in one day!!! Paris no less. The first one, a guy spilled ice cream down the back of his shirt so he will let go of his bag, (he doesn't, because its raining, not because he thought something was up) the people at his hotel saw what happened and explained it when he came in, second time, a guy tried to take his sunglasses out of his pocket ,(he felt that one and grabbed them back) and the third time, a guy on the Metro threw his own phone on the ground in front of him and the pieces went everywhere and when he tried to help him, he stole his wallet. The robber looked in the wallet as he was exiting the train and since he doesn't keep his money in his wallet the guy through it back in the train and waived at him.(credit cards still there). I am sharing this story so I will remember and so that all of you are aware! OK Jason, I did get boosted the first day I was in Paris with a guy pretending to find a ring and when it doesn't fit they give it to you and then ask for money! OK I was lost and tired, and right after I handed him the 5 euro (he wanted 20) I knew I had been boosted. I didn't really want to share that story but since the international traveler guy shared his with me I thought why not! So be savvy travelers everyone and don't look like a tourist:) I try not too! ha!!! a blond in Italy:) So here is a view from the train.

It was really beautiful, and the snow and the mountains were breathtaking.

Well, I made it to Turino safe and sound and to my hotel, which is really cute. Another kind of smallish boutique hotel. My room is really quaint and very European. So other than the cute hotel and the nice soup I had for lunch, I really don't like Turino all that much. It's not pretty, it has graffiti everywhere and because it is Sunday and EVERYTHING is closed, there is no one out... at all! It just doesn't feel good. So after my hour walk of seeing nothing all that special I've decided to stay tomorrow, just to check it out when there is signs of life and then on the 9th I am heading to Pisa. I researched and that seems like a fun thing to do. I have always wanted to see the leaning tower and all. Then on to Milan. So tomorrow I have to go figure out how to buy train tickets here. I'm sure it's not too difficult. I have just made the best of the day and I will venture out tomorrow and I am sure that will be plenty. The picture is of
me trying to plan my escape!!!!:) It's not dangerous, just somewhere I don't really want to spend a lot of time.
   Also before I close for the night I keep wanting to share how much I love the Kindle app for the IPhone, it's free to download, you just purchase the books and it's great. I make the font large so I don't have to wear glasses and it has been the best on the Metro, train, etc. So I highly recommend it:) I am on my second book, I have read "A Good Year" by Peter Mayle (I really liked it) and I am reading "Have A Little Faith" by Mitch Albom, I am really loving this one as well. So a day of sharing:)
                                Buon giorno a tutti  (good day everyone)
                                                   Amore,
                                                            Laura

Thought for the day:

It's funny how things seem difficult, stressful or cause anxiety, until you understand them....