The Lift.

The lift (n.): elevator (That wasn't difficult).

Tips for traveling, most of which I have learned the hard way:

1.  Be in shape before you go seriously traveling.  Luckily I worked out during the summer before I studied abroad, so I didn't mind the extended periods of walking.  However, towards the end of the semester, it definitely took a toll when I went to Rome as my "last hoorah" trip.  You want to be able to see as much as you can, and being tired and grumpy takes away from your experience.

The grumpiest person alive.

2.  If you have previously arranged lodging before you travel to a city, KNOW THE ADDRESS TO THE HOTEL.  Believe it or not, when Macauley and I (and our friend Kevin) went to Rome, we flat out WINGED it.  We only knew we were staying at the Rome Cavalieri (luckily for us, it is well known).  However, it was a huge pain getting there, not knowing if we were getting screwed or not regarding the cost of transportation.  We also got into an unmarked taxi (oops?), but that's not the point I'm trying to make...

We found it eventually... LOOK AT THAT VIEW!

Strugglin' in the rain: "...WHAT DOES THAT SAY?"

3.  Understand what transportation you wish to take before you arrive in the city.  For example, when Macauley, Obella, and I went to Amsterdam, they have a weird tram/train system, that in my opinion, is a bit faulty.  Not to mention, it was hard to distinguish the names of stations from each other, all written in Dutch (...does that sound ignorant?).  As aforementioned, know the address of the hotel, and know the corresponding or nearby station/tram stop/etc.  

Peek-a-boo... it's my shoe!

3... a. Walk as much as you can.  In Rome, it was incredibly easy to walk all over the city, and the best part was, we stumbled upon so many interesting things en route to a big interesting thing.  For example (I'm full of examples!),  in Rome, when Kevin, Macauley, and I were strolling along to visit the Colosseum, we ran into the Pantheon!  It was incredibly breathtaking and awkwardly wedged between modern(er) Rome buildings.

...to be continued!  I just thought of a cool post idea.