The Ostello Archi Rossi became my home for the next six nights. My room had three bunk beds, and its own bathroom with shower (a real luxury after Rome, where bathrooms were shared, scarce and none too clean). There was also a bidet, not very useful since some of my roommates didn't know what it was, and none of us knew how to use it!

The hostel included many useful amenities. There was a kitchen that served a decent breakfast (eggs, toast, orange juice, hot chocolate, etc.) and a reasonably-priced if unremarkable dinner (spaghetti, gnocchi, etc.). The dining room served as a TV and game room in the off hours, and in the evening they showed movies on video there as well. And, most conveniently, they had ample token-operated laundry facilities, of which I took full advantage.

My roommates were constantly changing, and included women from South Africa, Switzerland, Israel (pictured above), and even two Asian girls with Australian accents.

One evening a roommate returned from a day touring the Chianti region, and asked me if I'd like to share a bottle of wine she'd brought back. With two tiny plastic cups, we worked our way to the bottom of the bottle, our conversation getting more hilarious and interesting with each glass.

Everything was wonderful, until I stood up to go to bed. The patio rocked like a row boat, as it dawned on me that I was really feeling the wine's effects. I'm not used to drinking to begin with, and little did I know Chianti wine packs a pretty powerful punch.

I managed somehow to make it into my top bunk, and I prayed I wouldn't roll off in the middle of the night.

Party on the Patio The hostel's upstairs patio was a happy hangout. My three Israeli roommates and I enjoy a little red wine, do some journaling and swap adventure stories.

Next: Il Duomo Magnifico