We got into Genova around 10am and made our first task finding a map. We found one with the help of Laura's Italian friend Sabrina who came with us for the day (she was with us at dinner last night, too). After finding a map we headed to the Cathedral San Lorenzo in the town center. The cathedral's edifice was very unique, striped black and white with different types of marble. After exploring the cathedral's gilt interior, we stopped in a foccaciaria for foccacia, something Genova is well-known for.
Outside the Cathedral--I really like this picture.After our snack we headed towards Christopher Columbus's house (he was born in Genova and is pretty hot stuff there) and found lunch in a nearby cafeteria similar to our Mensa. They had a great pesto lasagna and macedonia (fruit salad). Then we perused a street market which was similar to Alba's but 100 times better because everything for sale was old. There was old jewelry, postcards, prints WWII paraphernalia, furniture and coins. I didn't buy anything but I wanted to.
Christopher Columbus's house.Then we headed toward the harbor, stopping at a few churches along the way as well as stumbling across some amazing panoramic views of the city's hilly cityscape. In the harbor was a children's area surrounded by shops and docks. The whole place was very busy with a parade for Carnival and it was pretty exciting. No one was really interested in stopping to watch the parade (surprise...)--they wanted to trek across the city to a lighthouse.
Cityscape.After an hour's walk along the harbor (which, admittedly, was pretty--but the parade and lighthouse were not mutually exclusive!), we reached the lighthouse, our feet pounding. We took a break on the lighthouse's benches and gazed out at the water, a sight we had missed while in Alba which is not on the water.
Water!! More specifically, the Mediterranean Sea!
Lighthouse.Then we walked back towards the train station. Along the way we stopped at a tabbaci for postcards and I went into a bakery and found (drumroll, please) pinole! Pinole are delicious almond cookies with pine nuts on top and the Italian bakery at home (Vaccaro's) sells them. I was so excited--I bought 5 of them. Continuing towards the train station we found a kebab stand and the boys and I stopped to buy kebabs (with french fries in them!) while the girls continued onward to find gelato. We met up with the girls at a gelateria and they tried our kebabs, deciding to go back and get their own since they were SO delicious! While they did that, we got gelato. Then we all got more foccacia to round our our early dinner.
We got to the train station at 6:30 for our 7:05 train and hung out resting our feet until it came. Onboard, we promptly passed out, changed trains in Asti, and got home at 9:15. Everyone else (other than Kiki and I) went to Duchessa to take out pizza but I was stuffed so Kiki and I got small sandwiches from Vin to cash in a voucher. Now I'm writing this and GOING TO BED! I've been staying up way too late talking to people back home so I need to get some sleep.
All in all, I'm glad I didn't listen to my mother and went to Genova. It was beautiful, fun, delicious, AND didn't smell like a European port at all.
Tomorrow we'll probably be recuperating from our all-day walking spree. I'll probably head to the Campus Center to print out a job application or two and maybe stop into a store or two. Who knows. It'll definitely be a lazy day, though. We need a break! Looks like next weekend Erin, the boys, and Laura are going to Prague and Kiki, Kate, Jordan and I are going to Milano (Prague is way too expensive to get to--180 euro!). So more adventures are to be had!
Genova pictures here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=152219&id=504487681&l=70ae899d7f
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