AspiringNomad

I’ve just had a plate full of delicious looking buschetta delivered to my table in a very busy restaurant called Ai Troeggi. I’m secretly pleased that the restaurant I was meant to go to didn’t have any tables available.
I have no WiFi and can’t get any data so I have chance to reflect on my day and write a bit more of my blog (which I have now realised is VERY long, sorry!)

I had decided today that I would travel to the east of Genoa to a district called Boccadasse. It’s popular for its small beach area and pretty coloured buildings that nestle into the bay. After a 30min bus journey I had arrived and it didn’t disappoint. It was beautifully Italian, there was a very calmed atmosphere in the air and the views of the Mediterranean were perfect.
I decided to have some brunch in a little cafe on the seafront whilst figuring out my next move. I spent about two hours here overall wandering around the small winding streets and taking about 100 more photos than I needed to!
I hopped on the next bus to Corso Dugali to visit a castle on a view point over looking the still functioning port of central Genoa.
I bought a ticket to go inside but honestly,  aside from the spectacular view from the top it was a bit of a waste of time. I tried to enjoy it anyway despite all the information being in Italian so I honestly couldn’t really tell you much more about it even if I wanted to!
I continued my touristy day with a trip up the hillside in the Fenicular before being forced to head back to the apartment to charge my phone. I had to do the last bit of the journey without it, so I was very relieved to get back.

Whilst waiting for my phone to charge, I facetimed a very tanned and happy looking Mum and Dad. Hearing about their typical Martindale antics made my smile even bigger. Before long, my phone was charged and I decided I still had time to head out for a bit more sight seeing. This time I walked to The National Museum which is now housed in what once was a home for the Durazzo family before being sold to the House of Savoy and finally becoming the city’s National Museum.
It was beautiful and I am glad I decided to fit it in.
Whilst having my food last night the man who was sat next to me decided to spark up some polite conversation about where I was from and what my plans are for my stay in Genoa.
I really wasn’t planning on being out for long and I cant say I was that thrilled about being ‘chatted up’ by an italian who seemed quite a bit older than me. If I had to describe him, he looked a little like Fat Tony from the Simpsons, only a bit slimmer and was an actual human.
Him and his friends were nice enough so I chatted to them for a while and gained lots of local tourist advice which was a win for me. I also confirmed that the noise last night was due to Napels winning the Italian Championship. After I eventually had enough, I began to walk back to my apartment. As I was walking, I stumbled across a narrow street filled with people who were spilling out of a very full bar. I couldn’t walk by without seeing what the fuss was about, so I stepped inside this pub that looked more like somewhere that I would order a kebab from and not a g&t. The two people behind the bar were so friendly and I was enticed to try a beverage they were very proud of. It was called Corochinato and tasted a little like a sweet white wine. He showed me it was 16% but it definitely tasted stronger. However, I felt at €1.50 I couldn’t say no!
I had never ordered a drink in a bar then drunk it in the street before but that seemed to be the thing to do in this particular place so I joined the many other people outside.
I had decided that two Corochinatos was enough and I felt a little weird stood on my own so made my way back to Via Roma.
After my conversation with Fat Tony, I have found out that I am staying on a rather fancy street which confirmed my suspicions, when Louis Vitton and Ferragamo and Versace are just some of names of the shops lining the street, you know you must be in a pretty decent area.

It’s Saturday morning and after a quick dash to the COOP for some emergency toilet roll (which I forgot to pick up yesterday) I am now making a cup of tea to have whilst I plan my 2nd day in Genoa. I have so many more things to do here and I really have fallen in love with being in Italy, roaming around the narrow streets and being in the hot sun. I am wondering if my work will notice if I just don’t come back!