🇮🇹 Email #6: Buon Giorno!
This post is part of the Europe & Asia 2005 Retrospectives series. It is a raw record of the journey, preserved exactly as it was written in internet cafes and sent as an email to family and friends. While my travel style has evolved, the desire to experience the world and the wanderlust expressed in these notes remain the same.
Original Email Date: October 27, 2005
Location(s): Rome and Florence, Italy
Buon giorno!!
I'm headed to Venice tomorrow, so the jury is still out on my favorite Italian city, but so far Florence is definitely beating out Rome (sorry EH and you other Rome lovers).
The Roman ruins and Vatican City are incredible, and the piazzas are nice, but I really didn't care much for the city. It's way too big for the crappy transportation situation, and the people are not really that friendly besides the extremely aggressive men (HH - thanks for sending me away with a fake wedding ring, it definitely came in handy.) Also, I did push my way through the crowds at the Trevi Fountain to make a wish for all of you (per DH's suggestion).
The transportation situation in Florence is also miserable, but it's small enough that it is convenient to walk everywhere. Also, I think Florence is a much prettier city overall. I spent my first day here just wandering around the city, which was probably a 4-5 mile walk (part of it up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo, where there are gorgeous views of the city and a copy of the Michelangelo David statue), so I rewarded myself with some fantastic gelati and it was so good that I have been back every day.
Then I spent a day wine tasting in Tuscany, which of course I loved. Tuscany is beautiful, and the meal that I had for lunch was delicious - the tiramisu was to die for. I've also seen the requisite sites such as the Duomo, Uffizi, and I'll see the real David at the Galleria dell'Accademia tomorrow morning before leaving. CS, I went shopping at the outlets today, and you are right, the deals are awesome. The only problem now is that I have to lug around everything I bought.
I love hearing from all of you, so keep sending emails to keep me updated on the news (and gossip) from home. Also, tips about the next cities that I am headed to are much appreciated.
Arrivederci for now,
Corissa
SS - As soon as I figure out where and how to upload my pictures (I don't have my laptop with me), I will send some. Otherwise, I'll send out the highlights when I get home. I have already taken over 1000 pictures. Crazy, huh?
SP - I never answered your question, but according to my latest itinerary, I will be in Amsterdam for my b-day. Also, totally looking forward to meeting up with you in Bangkok, so keep me posted on the plans.
DE - Thanks for the pic of Logan. He is so adorable in his little Halloween costume. (RH - he's gotten so big since the last time I saw him!!!)
BTW - I have changed my itinerary again. It's pretty aggressive, so it may change again. (JJ- I am definitely planning to meet up with you in Berlin. Will I get to go to the show? :) Also, when are you arriving and leaving?)
10/28 - 10/30 Venice
10/31 - 11/02 Munich
11/02 - 11/03 Salzburg
11/03 - 11/05 Vienna
11/05 - 11/07 Budapest
11/07 - 11/10 Prague
11/10 - 11/13 Berlin
11/13 - 11/15 Amsterdam
11/15 - 11/16 Frankfurt
The Retrospective Reflection (2026)
Reading about the "fake wedding ring" brings back the vivid reality of being a solo female traveler in Rome two decades ago. It was a common piece of advice passed between women travelers, a low-tech shield against unwanted attention.
I also smile at my shock at having taken 1,000 pictures. In the age of digital cloud storage, I may take that many in a single weekend. However, in 2005, managing that many files without a smartphone was a logistical challenge. I wasn’t even able to share photos when I sent these emails home, and these days, I can share photos instantaneously.
The struggle of "lugging around" travel purchases remains a classic travel issue for me today. I am still learning that every beautiful item purchased has a weight cost when you are hopping on and off trains across Europe.
