AspiringNomad

My journey finally begins, pulling away from the Fakenham Shell garage roundabout, and I wasn’t looking back. Well, not until Monday that is.
The journey to Stansted was very smooth which makes me a little apprehensive that I might become delayed elsewhere on my journey to Genoa.
My first stop was Barton Mills McDonald’s, old habits die hard! I figured despite travelling on my own, I couldn’t break tradition!
On arrival to Stansted I find my parking spot is perfectly located near the terminal, so SHOULD be easy to find when I return home.
I have plenty of time here at the airport to have a wander and sit down for a drink and a snack. My g&t has just arrived at my table and it’s already starting to feel like the holiday has begun!

I definitely jinxed it. Unfortunately not only was I sat next to a baby on the plane but the flight was delayed by 2 hrs!
I must admit however, when they started the engine and smoke poured from the engine on the left wing, I was relieved to know we were not going to take off without it getting checked!
I now find myself on the Volabus which I am hoping is going to take me to the stop closest to my Airbnb, Piazza De Ferrari.
I have been asked by a very Italian-looking man if I was local? He, as it happened, was English and looking for directions, which I couldn’t help him with, I sit on the bus now feeling quietly smug, what a compliment!

The traffic is heavy and I have now seen Genoa for the first time. We head down the motorway which is sandwiched between the port and the city, you can tell this is still a well-used industrial area. Terracotta buildings stand tall on the mountainside with clothes draped over the balconies on my left and large cranes and container ships are parked in the port on my right. As we move up into the city, everything is a bit cleaner and better looked after. Note to self: stay in this area.
It wasn’t long before I was at my stop and arrived at the big green doors of my Airbnb.

I was met by the host Letizia who showed me up in a rickety lift to my apartment. It is everything I hoped it would be!
Two tall windows looking down onto the street below, tiled floor throughout, airy and a comfy bed!
The usual things were left, tea and coffee pods but I’ve never had complimentary extra virgin olive oil. That’s my holiday gifts sorted!
I charged my phone up then headed to a COOP round the corner to grab some milk and some soft drink for the morning.
As it was already 8pm I thought I had better find somewhere to eat, so did a quick search on Google maps for a local restaurant that looked half decent.
I headed to Da Gibba Ai Rolli. After filling up on pasta, wine and a dessert I wandered back to my apartment on Via Roma via the Piazza De Ferrari. This is a big water fountain which is lit up by night and it’s in a square infront of a museum.
I sat here for a while taking it all in before taking the short walk back to bed!

It’s Friday morning, and I have a packed day ahead which any hard-core tourist would be proud of!
I give myself a slow start to the day due to the unintential late night I had.
My football knowledge is limited but I know a football chant when I hear one and there must have been some celebration going on or protest related to the ‘beautiful game’ as my brother in law calls it. Can’t say it seemed very beautiful at 00:30am when I could hear loud explosion noises and shouting that was travelling through the small city streets. But I was very tired so drifted off to sleep anyway.
I am now planning my route for my first stop today in bed, with the sun coming through the window and a cup of tea.
I don’t think I have stopped smiling to myself since I arrived here yesterday. I’ve loved every second of it so far and I can’t wait to spend the next 3 days here.