Italian Adventures' photostream

Italian Adventures' photostream on Flickr.

Starting to upload the photos from Venice.

Venice in two days

Sorry we lost the earlier deathless prose about our breathless arrival , although it gives us time for photos with this batch.    We had had some technical glitches with  A) computer, B) cameras, and C) batteries.  Possibly we've conquered all three.  But we got off all right --- and the adventure began.

picture 1 below

Today has been the day for walking around, getting lost, and getting unlost without even having to ask anyone for directions.  The search for the perfect gelatto may be over.    (although how will we know unless we keep searching?) 

The gondola ride was great. 

  Stefano didn't sing for us, but later we did hear another gondolier singing and we were just as glad we weren't serenaded.  The long lines of tourists are fatiguing, but everything is sooo much like the pictures we've seen.   It's just all jumbled together and connected by dozens of little alleyways.  It's too bad we have to leave so early tomorrow morning as we've just begun to scratch the surface of San Marco.  We haven't had the time to go to any of the other islands.

There is lots of renovation, and rejuvenation going on.  Right now they are working on The Bridge of Sighs  so all you can see is just a smidgeon of it.  There are lots of posters up for the various things going on for the arts festival, which is what the sky-looking stuff is.

This is one town that it doesn't matter if you look like a tourist--everyone is a tourist.  There are large groups of them everywhere, either walking in long crocodiles or clumping together in the squares.

Venice at last

I just lost the connection and the comments made by my fellow travlers.  More later.  We are off to take more photos and eat more gelato.

Already a crisis and we're not even out of the house

I couldn't find my purse OR my camera. I tore the house apart looking, my sister searched, we took the sofa cushion off and crawled around looking under furniture, etc.
However, we are now back on track. I'd already packed them. And, yes, I've tripled checked that we all have our passports and paperwork handy.

The Countdown goes into higher gear

The airline tickets are here. The train tickets are here. And the cruise ship tickets are here. Arrangements have been made for transportation to the airport. It must be time to go.

Mary is here now and Jan will arrive Tuesday. This time next week--Venice!

It Isn't Easy

Receiving much advice from everyone I know on what to take, what is a must see, what to bring home. (Also, offers of contortionist wannabes to stow away in the luggage, and offers of would-be luggage handlers and cabana boys.)

I've packed several times already. I can get everything into a pilot case and a duffle bag (with a squeek of space for souvenirs) in under 40 pounds. I have luggage tags for boarding the ship. Awaiting tickets &/or boarding passes for planes & trains.

Made a check list for what must be done before leaving the house: set thermostat, empty trash, etc. Committed inventory of items [to be] packed to a .pdf file on the reader. I am SOOOOO ready.

Packing

We are packing light and planning just for carry-on luggage.

Essentials:
3 passports
3 air tickets
3 train tickets
3 cruise ship boarding passes
Euros
credit cards
2 Kindles and 1 Asus (with Nook installed)
3 cameras
1 cell phone