Trains in France...

Because the trains we had hoped to take to Paris were booked full Sarah and I got to spend an extra two days in Madrid. I don’t regret this at all, in fact it all worked out for the best though I was a bit discouraged at first. Our extra time allowed us to explore Madrid’s most beautiful and famous park, see the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, spend time browsing at the artist market, and last but not least eat at "Museo de Jamon" (the ham museum). This last experience compares to any foreigner eating at their first Waffle House. Though we spent twice as long as we had originally anticipated in Madrid I was sad to say goodbye to this beautiful city and lovely country.

Our plan #4 route took us from Madrid to the French border to Montpellier to Avingon to Nice to Rome. After two nights and one full day in different trains we were glad to set our feet on this Italian soil. I must say though that after leaving Spain taking trains was considerably easier and cheaper. These 36 hours in four trains gave us the opportunity to, not only get a beautiful tour of Southern France and the Mediterranean Sea, but also to get to know some of the French people. We were hesitant to be talking loudly or to say that we were Americans due to the friction between the two countries and stories that we have heard but everyone was so friendly and helpful. Though many didn’t speak English they went out of their way to help us and were more than glad to act silly in order to teach us some useful French phrases.

Rome isn’t bad, but it is raining and cold and we have been sleeping in trains the past two nights so perhaps that is affecting my attitude. I think though that it is one of those places you visit once and it’s really nice, but there isn’t much of a reason to go back. We walked around a lot, rode the bus around, basically saw everything today but we didn’t take pictures because it was raining. It is cool to be walking down a narrow street and turn and *BAM* there is the Coliseum. It’s interesting to think of all the people that have set foot here before, but those thoughts are continually interrupted with people practically chasing you to buy an umbrella. I don’t think I would want to be here in summer. Regardless of the bad weather, the line for the Vatican Museum wrapped around three sides of the Vatican. I know it’s the smallest country in the world, but it isn’t that small, the line was gigantic!

Traveling in a place like Rome, where we paid 6.25$ for 8" folded over piece of pizza bread with pizza sauce (they called it stuffed pizza but there was no cheese, pepperoni, or pineapple stuffing that thing) has really helped us to appreciate our parents taking us places when we were growing up. We think that our trip is expensive; taking a family cost a whole lot more. Plus, they always let us get whatever we wanted and often let us have dessert. We had sit down meals with something to drink and stayed in nice hotels. Thank you Mom and Dad Miller and Mom and Dad Hope for all that you have done and are doing! We appreciate it!!!
£££ Sarah Miller