Day 4-At this time, everything tastes like Pepsi

Another day of sleeping in, but we woke up and went to the gym provided by the hotel. It's a little room with one of each machine, a spin bike, elliptical, treadmill, one set of free weights (the kind where you turn a dial and its a different weight), an upper body weight machine and this thing that shakes you so much that you lose feeling in your legs. We spent only a half hour there after realizing how out of shape we are that it wouldn't matter what we did. Then we got ready to go to Torino for what would be an insane night out.

We took a 35 minute train ride from Savigliano to Torino. It was nice to finally be in more of a city setting where everything is close together and there are bars and restaurants everywhere. (Actually, Will, an irish bar named Murphy's was there just for you.) We got a little lost on the way to our hotel, since we decided to walk. We really had no idea where we were, so Tim called up Fabio, his co-worker, and he picked us up. He offered to drive us around the city and show us the sites. In the heart of Torino is a Piazza, much like the one in Philly but 10x bigger! It's the same concept with businesses on the ground floor and residences on the floors above it. It is beautiful. We decided this would be the place to go to after we settle in at our hotel.

As our evening began, we met Fabio again in the Piazza where no one drinks inside. There are tables outside for people to sit and socialize at. And FYI, these people are about 16 years old. It has been a while since I've been to a bar/club where I feel like I am the oldest, but this is crazy. Apparently, you can walk around the Piazza with a drink your hand and no police officer will stop you and ask you your age. I was also expecting to see great fashionistas and fashion forward trends from people at such a young age, but there was a popped collar here and a guy wearing jorts over there. Ahhh...feels like home :)

After a nice walk around the Piazza and grabbing a drink, Fabio has us get into a cab to head towards a non-touristy type of place. This place was unreal. (Mark, you should have totally been there...definitely your type of place.) Think of the Riverdeck on Del Ave, but another 10x bigger and stadium staircases leading you to the dance floor. We were introduced to Fabio's friends who were pretty awesome. They were insecure about their English, but they were definitely pretty good at it in my opinion. Waaaay better than me speaking Italian any day.

One of Fabio's friends was able to get us a table before we got in. It was a swarm of people at the door trying to get in, but you were only allowed in if you had a lot of people in your group. We were also given drink cards. After you give your drink card in for a drink (in our case, we had bottles upon bottles sent to our table), then you get another card that will allow you to exit. It was free to get in, but if you didn't have this card, than you would have to pay to get out.

The club was playing lots of American music, with the Italian song here and there. Tim and I were having a great time and about an hour in, we decide to take potty break.

The stairs to get to the toillettes are insane. Plus there are strobe lights flashing on them, so you have to move pretty slowly in order to make sure your feet are secure on each step. So we finally reach the bathrooms and I came to find out that the toilet for the ladies was a mere hole in the ground! I was absolutely not peeing in there. Next thing you know, I'll slip and fall and...well you get the picture. GROSS! I really don't know how these girls do it. Anyway, I decided I can take it like a champ and not go, considering I am not really drinking anything (as usual).Us at Cacao, a club in Torino

After partying until 4am, the club closes, but our group is still up for going out all night aka 7am. Tim and I are all for it to take in the experience. We get to the first club and it was pretty empty, but it seemed like it would be a good time. All of Fabio's friends have been so energetic and friendly to Tim and I. The night was great anywhere we were.

The group decides that they need something bigger and better at another bar close by. Tim checks the clock and it was 5am! It was a quick decision to say, hey guys...we are really tired and are going to go back to the hotel. Fabio was a little disappointed, but totally understood. A part of me really wished that I could hang out for that long, but oh well, my trip is certainly not over. :o)

Day 1-Airport frenzy

I was packed and ready to go today for my first trip to Europe. I was so excited that I took a ride to the airport (thanks, Joel!) which had me at the terminal for about 3 hours before the plane was supposed to take off. I occupied my time with some episodes of Caifornication. While I was enjoying watching them on my laptop, a guy had asked if I could watch his stuff. I said sure. How hard could that be? Although, I was pretty good at making sure no one touched his stuff, I was not so good at making sure his seat wouldn't be taken. The first time, the man that took the guy's, who later introduced himself as Mike, seat was nice and found another seat. The second time, which I don't know why he would trust me again, had a young woman sitting in Mike's spot. I said very nicely, "Just so you know, someone is sitting there." "Well, he can't take up 2 seats! I need a seat!" and I said, nicely, again, "Okay, but I'm just telling you he's going to be upset." This lady wouldn't stop being nasty to both me and Mike when he returned. He moved his stuff and sat next to me and we both talked about this nasty broad, while she was still sitting in the seat. Needless to say, after that, we just had a good conversation covering the Bush Administration to Grandmothers, which made the time pass by pretty quickly.

Mike & I

Then, I boarded my plane for Paris. The plane was pretty empty, so I had lots of room to spread out with no one sitting next to me. I caught up on my movie watching with the movies: Alice in Wonderland, Valentine's Day and Remember Me. I still had time leftover and watched an episode of Dexter (I would highly recommend this show, if you aren't hooked on it already). Then we landed, which was not the smoothest landing ever...Maybe foreshadowing? When i got off the plane, I quickly realized that my phone wouldn't work, since I never turned on my international plan. The guy from information just brushed me off as a stupid American. I lost money on exchanging my dollars for euros. I couldn't go on the internet without paying for it, not shocking, but I was going to break down and get an internet card, if I could find them or even a phone card. Then the plane was being boarded 20 minutes after its original boarding time. Even worse, when we boarded the plane, it didn't leave the terminal for 2 HOURS! I would close my eyes for what I thought was a few minutes, but it was 30-60 minutes at a time, and when I would open my eyes I couldn't believe that we still didn't leave for Turin (Torino) yet. Needless to say, I'm not a big Paris fan. I'm open minded to a better experience, but right now, Paris is in the pooper!

I finally made it to Turin and a driver was sent to pick me up and take me to Savigliano, not too far from Turin. We made it to the hotel and the driver stayed and translated for me with the little English that he knew. At first, I thought they weren't giving me keys to the room, but eventually they did. And now that I think about it, they still have my Passport downstairs. I'll have to check that out...Anyway, the room is on the third floor...no elevators! I shlepped my 46lb bag and my carry-on up the steps, which made me feel like I've had the workout of my life. And I get to the room and I can't open the door (dumb American). The manager comes up and helps me in and I open the door and its sooooo hot! At least I was let in and have a waiting spot for when Tim is set to arrive. I'm very excited to see him since its been 5 weeks. :)

Here's to hoping that tomorrow will not have as many mishaps.

PS, my Mac laptop is too high maintenance to care that I want to put up pictures with these posts. Hoping to figure it out soon enough.