Day 4 - August 3rd in Turin

Alarm at 7:45 am as I had a good sleep with the gravol pill. Another blue sky and hot day in downtown Turin. Met up with Donal and Debbie to head to the Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum of Turin) and meet up with Dave. Always good to get to a popular museum as early as possible. Very short walk and met up with Dave. Apparently, this is the second best Egyptian museum in the world after the world famous museum in Cairo. Originally, this was the oldest Egyptian museum in the world, but now in a temporary new space prepping for 2015 completion. Cost with our Games discount was 3.50 Euro so quite a deal.

Very impressed. On two levels. A huge and varied collection that covers about 3, 000 years of ancient Egypt. Many of the artifacts are kept behind glass which allows the visitor to be within inches. This exhibit is called "Immortali"or the Art and Knowledge of the Ancient Egyptians. We spent at least two hours. Took a number of photos. Quite a large collection of sculptures and art so totally unlike the King Tut touring exhibit. No flash photo allowed inside. Lots of papyrus and textiles. Many sarcophagus and actual mummies. As well, some had their body parts showing. Definitely would recommend this museum.

 check out his hands

 yup, that is a real mummy

 on papyrus

 small wooden statue

 small wooden replica of a ship

One of our observations of Turin is the amount of graffiti that defaces their buildings and other objects.

Headed into Piazza Castello which is crowded with tourists. We were all pretty hungry so decided to sit  at a tourist trap. The salad was decent and the beer was thirst quenching. We were across from a McDonalds. After lunch, we decided to head our separate ways. I got to Exki for their free wifi for customers only. I ordered a peach juice and bottle of water and finally started my blog. I completed the first two days. Dave had emailed me to join him at 4 pm for a bike ride. Debbie let me borrow her bike pass card so that was much appreciated.

Dave and I headed east for the Po River. It was fun being on a bike and at a leisurely pace. Rode along the river for a bit. Sweaty of course on the hot seat. These bikes are around the city and you swipe your bike share card and it releases. You have up to two hours each day with the card. Went across the river at a busy bridge. Some other Games athletes took our picture below. Rode up a couple of hills. In being back on the west side of the Po found a small bar and went inside to get some much needed water. We were both thirsty and hot.

We were to meet the guys at 6:30 pm for dinner. Of course, with a group of guys it will never start at 6:30 and at least 30 minutes for everyone to arrive and get organized. Sometimes longer. Six of us at the Piazza Bodoni. See the piazza below. 95% of the piazzas in this city have a horse as the statue. Incredible. Kind of funny when we come across a statue and it does not have a horse!

Dave's landlord had recommended a local restaurant for its homemade pasta. The food was excellent, but I neglected to get their name. Too bad, as everyone enjoyed their plates. We didn't eat outside for the first time as they couldn't accommodate what became 10 persons. Got a round table which worked perfectly for a large group. As well, the waiter spoke english and interpreted the entire menu. More good team bonding and laughs. Left around 9:45 pm.

Some of us decided to get some ice cream at the place we tried on night one. Another huge queue of people outside. Two scoops and a waffle cone for 2.50 Euro each. Now around 10:15 pm and the streets are full of people. There was a Games parade earlier so more people are now in the older section of Turin. Many athletes proudly wearing their jerseys, team colours or country colours. Everyone in great spirit. A beautiful clear night and still warm. 

Returned to my apartment and called Lana. Turned on the a/c as the room is warmer tonight. Get all my soccer gear and stuff ready for an early wakeup tomorrow. To bed around 11:30 pm. Couldn't fall asleep so took 1/2 sleeping pill around 1:30 am. Awake at 5 pm.