Genoa - Return to a Big CityHarbour

Harbour Front Genoa

On the train to Genoa Rob and Beth shared a compartment with a couple of Italians who were, as is typical, friendly. One lived in Genoa the other north of the big city. As they chatted, their companions warned them to be careful at and around the train station.

Genoa has much less graffiti then other cities,
and what it has seems interesting.

"Via di Pre street is renowned for its pickpockets. They are very skilled."

Although they were always on guard when travelling they took heed of the warning and were extra alert once in the Genoa train station. As they waited for their host to pick them up they made note of the number of homeless people that were milling about. That was one of the first signs that they were back in a big city after weeks of staying in small southern towns.

Genoa's Colourful Neighbourhoods

Their gregarious host arrived and led them to their apartment which, despite its convenience, was uncomfortably close to the train station in Beth's opinion as it was less than 300 m away. On the last 100 m of the walk he led them through an incredibly narrow pedestrian street, Via di Pre, that was flanked with unusually tall buildings. Only a thin strip of sky could be seen above, which although striking, contributed to the feeling of being caged in.

Fierce and Friendly

The people of the neighbourhood were a diverse lot and, even at that late hour, a few stores were still open. When they arrived at their apartment, their host explained how to open the first of the four locked doors they needed to navigate to arrive at their fifth floor apartment.

For Jocelyn: The Pirate Ship form
Roman Polanski's 'Pirates'

As they walked up the 77 steps they noticed damage to various neighbouring apartment doors. One, they observed, was punched in and looked like it had been pried open with force entry on more than one occasion while another beautifully carved wood door had cracks in it and looked like it would require minimal force to open. In the stairwell between the forth and fifth floor their host unlocked the second door - a steel cage separating their floor from the ones below.

Not the neighbourhood described.

The final two doors were unlocked and Beth and Rob were in their apartment - sparkling clean and beautifully decorated in reds and earth tones, complete with a full kitchen, private bath, living room, and bedroom all for the reasonable price of 40€. Perhaps the dodgy neighbourhood contributed to the bargain price they received.

To view the apartment: Check this out-https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/513364