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Post by madamtrashheap on Jan 28, 2007 22:22:17 GMT -5
CT! Great to hear you're still around occasionally, although I can understand the exams, papers, etc keeping you busy. Nice to hear you have someone to get squishy about too.
I'm hearing you on the Europe thing - sit the bar, score a great job and take your paramour to show him your Europe!
Haven't been in Canada since October 2005, and that was only to Toronto, and not likely to get back there for a while so Eagle you'll have to keep up the trek. Glad all is well though!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Nov 15, 2006 2:09:28 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Karen! Haven't seen you on the boards for a while, but hope you have a great day no matter where you are! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 10, 2006 2:11:22 GMT -5
i was scratching my head here until i figured out that i had Burgas and Burgos mixed up! ;D Yeah, they're not too far apart...!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 4, 2006 1:45:01 GMT -5
Oh yeah and Madamtrashheap those cyrillic signs bit of a problem when faced with two toilet doors to work out male and female. Takes some getting used to ;D Speaking of toilets (I so know what you mean about the signs on the doors - no pretty pictures to help you!), the cathedral in Varna (last time I was there it was jet black an in need of a large clean) has quite possibly the world's worst toilet in the centre underneath it - think "Trainspotting" toilet and you're getting close! Eeeewww. So glad you enjoyed your time there. I like it too, but it will be interesting to see how fast it changes once the EU Membership kicks in. So cool that you stayed on the Black Sea, even if it was purpose built. Spot on comparison between Burgas and Varna - great description. You're our new Bulgaria expert now! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 24, 2006 21:16:53 GMT -5
Bulgaria - nice one Shell! I haven't been for about 5 years, but last time I went I spent time on the Black Sea at an old Communist holiday camp - interesting, in a good way!
Let us know how you enjoyed it and where you visited. Watch out for those cyrillic signs - they'll get you every time! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 22, 2006 0:57:28 GMT -5
Happy birthday Ray! Or should that be... Vsechno nejlepsi k Tvym narozeninam!
My Czech ain't so good, but hope it's a great day in every language! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 21, 2006 0:14:39 GMT -5
Far too cute! He looks like a gorgeous cross between a Botticelli and a Raffaello! Great to see pics.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 31, 2006 20:46:47 GMT -5
That's what they are called! I've seen the Segway tours in Paris and they looked like a lot of fun, although must admit I thought it was an extension of the rollerblading meetings that are held once a week in Summer! ;D Will have to jump on one next time I'm there for a different perspective on the city.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Oct 4, 2006 1:37:27 GMT -5
If you want to tour the Colosseum, beware of the "official" tour guides that advertise "English tours". The easiest and cheapest way to tour the Colosseum and Palatine Hill is to buy your ticket on Palatine Hill as it's not usually too busy there, One other reminder for those coming to Rome, beware of the Gypsy women with babies, often hanging about the Metro stations. If travelling on the Metro or the infamous Bus #64, don't carry wallets or cash in pants pockets (especially in the afternoons, the #64 has everyone packed in like sardines). Great advice Eagle! Glad you've discovered the "secret" ticket office for the Colosseum! I always forget to tell people that one - doh. Can't believe those "official" guides are back. There was a big crackdown on them a few years back and they scattered for a while, but clearly they are back for Summer. They also hang out at the Vatican and try their luck there too. They are sometimes a diversion tactic for pickpockets who move in large groups of people. A true guide keeps an eye out for their group and points out any gypsies or pickpockets that are trying to steal from their group. To be a tourist guide in Italy takes at least a year of study and they are issued with an official "guida turistica" pass that allows them to guide groups in that particular city. Anyone guiding without this pass faces arrest and a fine from the Tourist Police (I'm not kidding, they do exist!), so I'm sad these fakes are back on the streets again. As you've read in an article I did a while back, the "gypsies" annoy me intensely, so I'm glad you weren't stung by them. Watch out on Express Bus #44 as well (runs from Piazza Venezia to the front of St Peter's) - that's sardine central and a prime site for tourist-robbing gypsies. They are back in Paris too. I say back as they disappeared for a while, so keep your eyes peeled around the Champs-Elysees and the Eiffel Tower. They sometime hang out at the main Louvre entrance, but the guards chase them away, and the Rue du Rivoli shops. Great to read your adventures! We know how much there is to see and appreciate you taking the time to update us, looking forward to the next one! Have you used the "foot spa" yet?!!! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 26, 2006 18:40:25 GMT -5
Can't believe that rain keeps finding you - must be following the Rick Steves group! The Cathedral exterior always reminds me of a striped picnic tablecloth, hence the reference. Clearly I have an overactive imagination (or had too much vino collapso when I first saw it!). So glad you are experiencing all the food joys Italy has to offer - even caffe corretto and panini! If you do decide to go to the Amalfi (I'd highly recommend it), consider staying there overnight as it's a very full day of travel to get down to say Sorrento plus visit Pompei, and there are so many things to enjoy and not rush. Up to you, but I'd recommend Sorrento or Positano as an overnight stay, especially now as it will still be warm (storms might have found their way down there though) and not too crowded. That way you could explore a bit and visit Pompei on the way back to Rome (allow at least 2-3 hours for the ruins). Will send a PM with some info for you. Enjoy Rome, and remember...a bidet is also a foot spa at the end of a long day!!! (Eeeewww!) Divertiti!
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 21, 2006 0:10:20 GMT -5
aaahh, la dolce far niete...wish it was every day!
Hope those pesky Autumn storms don't hang around too much - was in Cinque Terra this time last year and spent more time in caffes than outside...not that there's anything wrong with that!
Looking forward to the next installment - will send a PM with some info for you.
Buon viaggio! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Sept 17, 2006 23:05:49 GMT -5
Ciao Eagle!
so glad you made it to Lago di Como, hope you're loving it and it's living up to expectations. Varenna is a gorgeous place to stay and a little jaunt over to Bellagio for caffe and a stroll is perfect. Don't worry about trying to decipher the boat timetable, no-one sticks to it anyway! It might be 20kms from Switzerland, but it's still Italy - bless 'em!
Looking forward to the next post! A presto. ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jul 11, 2006 22:16:19 GMT -5
Happy Birthday Muvva! That'll teach me to not log on for a few days! Hope it's been a great day! ;D
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jul 5, 2006 1:12:50 GMT -5
Jen - I'm jealous you're there while it's all happening! My job just has the worst scheduling for holidaying at the good times of year (busy period is now!). As much as I want to see Portugal get through (and a small part of me thinks/hopes they may surprise us all!), I'm expecting an Italy v France final. Roooooooo-ney is still a hot-head, but good feet. Yeah, he probably didn't deserve the red, but then Italy didn't deserve the last minute penalty either, so this seems to be a theme for refs at this World Cup.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Jul 3, 2006 3:03:59 GMT -5
Nah - France can turn it on when they need to. And considering they coasted through the last few games, they must have got a football boot up the butt to get them to perform the way they did.
Althought I did hear one German giving his opinion as to why Brazil were beaten "they are fat and too arrogant" - love it!
My money is on Portugal - the underdogs - and yes, I believe the next World Cup should have categories for "Most Valuable Player", "Greatest Goal Scorer" and "Greatest Use of the Tripping Rule"....damn Azzuri!
Shame about England, but Rooney needs a headbutt himself. How would it be if Germany won?!!! Anyone's cup now! ;D
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