The Armpit of France to the Love of my Life

If I had trouble trying to fit multiple cities into one entry, I don't know how I'm going to do multiple countries. Even though I did write a little about Paris, that in itself seems like a separate country than the rest of France.. especially compared with Marseille, the first city on our free travel itinerary.
Marseille is a city to be reckoned with. It's harsh and rought around the edges, and it does not try to hide any of its' very different faces. It has been lovingly nicknamed "The Forgotten City" and the "Armpit of France." Upon arrival, I tried to remember what had drawn me to visit Marseille in the first place. I couldn't recall any particular reason, save that it was on the sea in the very south of the country and the name sounded nice and French. Dumas' "Count of Monte Cristo" didn't even register in my mind until after we had arrived at our hotel.
To it's credit though, Marseille hosts a beautiful little Mediterranean island called If.. home to the one and only Chateau d'If. Personally, I don't know what Edmond Dantes' problem was.. I would have gladly been locked up there for 14 years.
For all our beautiful (and strange) adventures in Marseille, it has earned a place in my heart. It is a true city, and doesn't go out of its way to cater to tourists. I like that. We found our own way around, and learned the ins and outs of the city with no one holding our hand. But after the stress of it all, Italy was a more welcome sight than I ever could have imagined.
Our hostel in Florence was the best I've ever stayed at, and was a perfect introduction to the city. The streets are small, the churches are big, but the charm and hearts of the Florentines (?) are even bigger. It's true that the men are not shy with their compliments--especially to blond American girls--but I think it just added to the whole eperience, along in raising my self-esteem level several notches. One highlight of the city were its astounding cathedrals--drab and unimpressive from the outside, but utter masterpieces of art and architecture on the inside. Truly, the only thing that distinguished these huge buildings from the rest of the city were their towering domes and spires. Otherwise, they were swallowed up within the sufficatingly small alleys and constricting buildings that have grown up around them over the centuries. But when you have Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Brunelleschi working on them, you are more than willing to cough up a few euros to enter through their small, unassuming wooden doors.
From Florence, we headed to Milan, with a day trip to Como to end our free travel days. I expected to loathe the huge skyscrapers, and I was prepared to buy an oxygen tank to save me from the smog. But surprisingly, Milan's people were just as hospitable and genuine as the rest of Italy we had experienced. It seems a few big buildings have no real effect on Italian charm. Nonetheless, a trip to Lake Como, just a half hour train ride north of Milan, proved to be a welcome relief from the big city and a final breath of fresh air before heading back to London.. ech. Thanks for all the e-mails and letters.. keep 'em comin. I'll be home soon.
Northern Ireland and Paris photos: http://bethel.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2034349&id=63804086
Southern France and Italy photos: http://bethel.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2034350&id=63804086