Two disclaimers: 1)The title thing doesn't seem to be working anymore. 2)My time on the computer is limited, so if this suddenly stops, that's why.

I had a completely insane trip to my hostel in florence. To keep some of you from dealing with intense panic, I'll tell you now (all parents) i'm alive and well and at the hostel safely. So it all started in Nice where I pulled up to the bus stop as the bus was pulling up. This was the last bus to the train station, so thank god I didn't miss it. As we were going towards the train station, the bus seemed to have stopped strangely and when I looked up there was a car in our lane stopped about two inches away. She was going in the wrong direction. Our bus driver shouted a couple of french profanities and, meanwhile, the car behind her was impatiently moving forward, making it impossible for her to turn around. Ultimately the situation mitigated and everything was fine, but it was quite weird. I have no idea how this lady ended up on the wrong side of the street especially considering it wasn't even a one way road. Maybe she was British... crazy UK drivers.
Anyway, we made it to the train station, but my train wasn't listed on the arrivals. The times increased and my time was simply skipped over. So I walked over to someone working there holding my ticket. She tried to tell me something and I didn't really understand so she wrote on the back of my ticket, "you must go to vinti milli" and then wrote a little 'g' and circled it. I looked at her skeptically and tried to inquire further but was completely rejected. So with no other options and seemingly plenty of time i headed in the direction of platform 'G' to ask someone else. I was told the same thing so i hesitantly boarded the train going to this enigmatic "vinti milli." Once on the train I met a nice British family (although they probably drive on the wrong side of the road) and they were trying to go to Rome and were equally confused. Almost everyone on the train was in a similar situation so I had faith that we were all confused, but correct.
The train started moving and it passed through many of the cities I had visited while I was in Nice including Eze and Monacco so it was nice to look back and kind of review my trip so far.
We randomly stopped a couple minutes from the vinitmilli station and there dogs barking in the distance and I couldn't help but exclaim to my fellow riders that i was exceptionally confused and i wanted to know (excuse the profanity) "where the fuck we were" Anyway, the train eventually continued on until reached the correct (?) destination. I unloaded, finding myself now in Italy. I had no idea which train to board or which platform to board. My meager yet useful knowledge of French was not going to help me anymore and I found myself completely confused and incompetent. Some shrewd gesturing however led me to believe that i was to go to platform 4 and each official i asked seemed to be suggesting that platform 4 would be good. I had to cross some railroad tracks, despite not being supposed to. An Italian man warned me about something in Italian and then, took his hands to eyes suggesting that I should look both ways. I didn't get hit by a train, I'm glad to say.
Once on the train, I roomed with these two chill guys from Canada and again I'm glad to say that I woke up with all my luggage and money (i think). I got off at Campo di Marte thinking I was a three minute walk from the hostel. However, the directions i had made no sense. I was wandering around looking confused when the nicest woman in the world (except for maybe danny's nicest woman in the world) asked me if i needed help... in english! I of course said yes and told her I was looking for the Piazza Adua and via faenza. She told me I needed to go to the other train station in Florence, Station Maria Nouvella (sp?). I asked how long the walk was and she said half an hour and that i could take the bus. She proceeded to give me a bus ticket good for four rides and she showed me where the bus station was. I tried to refuse the tickets but eventually thanked her profusely and loaded a bus going in what i hoped was the right direction.
I got off at the correct train station and it took me awhile to find the hostel but I did and I'm proud, but very tired. Totally crazy experience. Anyway, I'm now waiting for David and Rob. It's 8:30 and we're meeting at the Hostel at noon so I have a couple of hours to burn. I'm really excited to meet up with them and I'm considering heading to the train station to meet them. I hope they get off at the correct station, which is why I'm hesitant to meet them there. (we said to meet at the hostel, so if i miss them at the train station or something...) I'll decide soon. Until then, keep it real, good luck on any voyages and I'm jealous of all of you catching fireflies (but not that jealous) peace and love,

"Chaz-bo"