60 Days in Europe…#27 Genoa…

Woke up this morning with itchy bitten legs & arms.Even though I have the mosquito spray it might be something that that doesn’t care about such pathetic human solutions.Also the nights have been humid and I’ve been sleeping on top of the bed rather than under the covers and also with a window open so not really helping myself there…luckily next door was a pharmacy so popped in and bought both anti histamine gel & tablets.The woman said the tablets were strong so it could be an interesting next ten days.The fact that you only get ten to a pack might vouch for their potency…all in all the two items were €23 so not cheap but hopefully it’s a price worth paying.Any trips in future I must remember to bring some cream.The European insects seem to like my blood…

Currently at La Spezia station waiting for the train.Luckily the coastal influencer trains all appear to be leaving from over the other side so hopefully mine won’t be too full,despite going the same direction I don’t think it stops in any of the desirable instagram hot spots…had a message from the hotel asking if it’s ok not to check in until 17-00.Fine by me as I stop at a station in Genoa I’m not familiar with and I will need time to work out where I’m actually going…

Journey fine.Chatted to a couple of French girls from Brittany on the platform,then a couple British girls from Northampton (they said South Midlands) on the train then when they got off a young French woman & baby sat by me and was rocking the nursery rhythms…the views are pretty spectacular but far too many tunnels to get decent train shots “ I’ll just line up this sho…damn another tunnel “ ah well.I can see why loads of people go along the coast though…

Got to Genoa Brignole and easily found the other station I needed.Grabbed a coffee and a salty old sea dog on the next table immediately recognised me as English because of how I drank it! Or it was a good guess.Anyway had a chat with him and now waiting outside the hotel for the boss man to turn up…

Ok I have learned a lot about myself on these solo trips and one thing is don’t be scared to put yourself out and ask if you’re in a spot.It’s a conceit of machismo to not ask for help if the situation arises.Invariably in a foreign country there will be language barriers but you get by…I was standing by what I thought was the hotel,I knew I was close but it wasn’t clearly defined.It was only 5 minutes past the time the fella said he’d be there but instinctively I knew I was in the wrong place so decided to walk into a local shop that was being done up,asked a workman if he knew the place by showing him the address on my phone.He spoke no English but held a finger up and dialed a call.Turns out he knew the bloke and it’s a sort of Airbnb(don’t know why I didn’t suss) and he came round and we got it sorted.He’s got no English either so we’ll get along just fine…seems ok.

The other good thing is I already have the Genoa transport app on my phone from last time and it kicked right in,didn’t even need to recall my password which obviously wouldn’t have happened.Actually on reflection that might not be a good thing after all.Anyway it made a change from the usual hoops you have to jump through…

It’s a lovely evening here in Genoa after a solid downpour earlier.Think I’ll take a stroll down the docks later…

Laters alligators…