A Saint In A Business Suit

September 14, 2014, Train to Venice

Sitting on a train first class with a Czech Budweiser. What could be better than that? O.K. a Martini, but let's not push it.

 

The trip through the Alps and Dolomites was awesome . I don't have any pics that do it justice.

 

The trip was made even nicer by our cabin mates, a mother and daughter team, Molly and Sophia from Seattle. The mom, Molly, is a hoot. It will be up to 18 year old Sophia to keep her out of trouble.

We arrived in Venice at 6:10 pm. Reception at our hotel closes at 8:00 PM. No problem. WRONG! We got so lost that I was sure we would have no place to sleep. As 8:00 pm approached and we went down another blind ally, I have to admit that the intrepid Seater was about to cry.

I saw an Italian business man, complete with brief case, obviously on his way home from work. He tried to explain but his English wasn't quite up to the task. "Follow me." he said. And off we went. The man walked twenty minutes out of his way and delivered us to our hotel at 7:52 PM. There's a place in heaven for this guy.

How to Feel Like A Frump

Arrive at your hotel after traveling for seven hours, then racing through the streets of Venice in a panic. You're limp, tired, and sweaty. There to check you in is Audrey Hepburn complete with little black dress, long red nails, and cherry red lips. Goes by the name of Clouuuuudia. Alrighty then. Perfect. The next day Larsen bought me a scarf which I'm trying to rock like a European.

 

Wow! Venice! I am so glad we ignored those that said Venice was expensive, dirty, and smelled bad. Only one of those things is true

Would you walk down this street at night? This is how all of Venice looks but it's perfectly safe. I've never felt uncomfortable. This same street in Detroit would give me pause. Here's the same street the next day. That's our hotel on the left. 200 euro per night and it isn't very fancy. Yikes!

 

The guide books say to wander and get lost in the neighborhoods. Very easy to do. The getting lost part. There aren't any straight streets. Just these tiny twisting allies that open up into small Compo's. Lot's of fun to wander. We knew there were lots of canals. We didn't understand there are no cars. Even the ambulance is a boat.

 

 

There are Japanese and Chinese everywhere. We were standing on a bridge over a canal watching a Gondola when a boat full of Chinese ladies started to scream. They apparently thought they were too close to the side of the bridge. So they're screaming and all moving to the far side of the gondola. The Italian Gondolier is screaming at the Chinese ladies in English, "Don't Move! Don't Move!" Apparently they were able to translate his panic because, while they continued to scream, they sat still and a disaster was averted.

 

Ice, or the lack of it, continues to be a problem. Larsen has taken up red wine because he can drink it warm but he's not a happy camper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A highlight was San Marco Piazza at night with the Duelling Orchestras. There were three of them taking turns. We watched a couple do a very credible tango right in the center of the Piazza. Magical.

 

 

 

There are heavy iron bars on our windows but no screens. I was sitting near the window when this cat jumped up on the sill. She stayed about two hours. I would pet her through the bars. Tourists of all nationalities stopped to give her a scratch and speak to her in their languages.  She just sat there and tolerated it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larsen always has to be at the plane/train station 2-3 hours early. This gave us plenty of time to be smug about our backpacks as we watch weary men try to haul the wife's 3 full size bags up the steps of the San Lucia station while she breezes along in her 5 inch heels, taking in the sites.

 

 

  

Ah Venice. The beauty. The decay. Here are some of my favorite pics.