Saturday, 25 September, 2010
Ciao, Tutte!
Nice evening last night. Fabiana actually made it over to the flat, and we collected our damage deposit. Mom went to bed fairly early, and we were up about 6 and packing for the big move at 9 a.m. Finished off the cold cuts, cheese and juice for breakfast, and were out the door at 9 a.m. To be honest, we almost lost Mom twice today – such are the perils of travel!
First off, when we left the apartment building, we crossed the street into the Piazza Bologna where there is a very convenient elevator that takes you down into the metro station – thereby saving two flights of stairs. From there, we got the next elevator that let us off perfectly situated to catch the Metro B. Then came our first problem! Forgetting for the moment what a zoo it is trying to get on and off metro trains, we actually waited until the train stopped at Termini to get into position to get out – with the resulting problem that half of Rome was pressing their way onto the train, while we were trying to get out! Really a most unpleasant mob scene, but we all finally managed to get off the train! From there it was up yet another flight of steps to find our way into the train station. Being as early as we always are, and finding no place to sit, we made our way to a small restaurant and bagged a nice corner table, while R and Mom got pizza, and I got a Magnum Classic! Very good! Our train was announced about 10:25 a.m. to depart at 10:45 – what a scrum that was! Fortunately, as we were so early, we were able to get all of our luggage stored – but the resulting mess after that was unreal! And you think people try to carry on a lot of luggage – the body bags were amazing! Got things stored, and then, as is R’s habit, he stayed with the luggage and Mom and I got settled. Train pulled out exactly on time, for our 3 hour 38 minute trip to Venice with stops at Florence, Bologna, Padua and finally Mestre before hitting St. Lucia in Venice. Got off the train, and headed for the vaparetto stop; boat #1. Got tickets at the ticket booth, but of course waited for the “wrong” #1 – wrong direction! Had to scramble to get the next boat, and that’s where we almost lost Mom time #2! Two lines merging into one, and an American lady wasn’t used to Italian lines and stopped cold! R finally pushed past her, but then he and I were on the boat, and Mom wasn’t! As I had gone ahead to save seats, I didn’t hear the resulting uproar, but suffice to say that he pulled Mom on to the boat with us. From there, we had 13 stops to Salute and our stop. Not easy getting off the vaparetto with all that luggage, but we did manage, and found ourselves on solid ground. From Salute, our hotel was very, very close – maybe 3 minutes walk, and very easy to find! Nice receptionist greeted us, took passports and then helped us to our rooms (no elevators). Mom’s room is actually bigger than our “superior” room – go figure! The Ca Zose is really lovely. Spotlessly clean, nice size rooms with nice wardrobe for storage. TV isn’t much, but then we didn’t come to Venice to watch TV. R thinks we can get internet access in the room; otherwise, it is available in the lobby.
Settled in and decided that we needed to go out for something – anything! – to eat, as well as drink! Walked first past the Guggenheim, then around the American Hotel (where we’ve stayed three or four times before) looking in shop windows and enjoying a perfectly marvelous and sunny afternoon! Ended up making a big loop, and found ourselves at the restaurant right next to the Accademia Bridge – tables set out on the water; lovely views! R and I had prosecco; Mom had white wine. We all split a pizza marguerite – excellent, and just enough to enable us to make it to 7 p.m. and dinner! We’re going to try the Ai Gondaleri, one of our favorite Venetian restaurants.
More later – hopefully we’ll be able to get out!
Love,
m
x
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