Big P's European adventures...Chapter 1-Venice

Let me just start by saying that i'm so excited to be over in Europe...this is something that i've always wanted to do and I'm finally here!!! 6 weeks-paid vacation...i'm so lucky and i love my life!!! i'm not going to stop moving- and you best believe i'm going to see all that i can!!

My journey began with a farewell send-off from Tom, Matty, Dave, Jacque, and Scott. We went to the Royals/A's game and partied it up in Oakland...i miss and love all you guys!!! (u too Lois! congrats on your promotion and have fun the next weeks- no offense- but i don't even want to think about the workload!) I couldn't sleep at all the night before i took off...A)b/c i was unprepared of course. and B) b/c i was way too excited for all of this- butterflies, adrenaline, nervousness about being in foreign lands....I'm here to embark on a journey that i will remember and cherish for the rest of my life- no matter what happens!!!

So i landed in Houston with a layover and had to eat my last American meal- i went with a bacon cheeseburger and fries of course!!! Also, met and had drinks with some cool kids who happened to be from SF and were on their way to Puerto Rico for a vacation of their own...one of them was actually from KC originally (like me) and i told him we'd have to hit up some more royals/A's games when i got back...i gave them my email and was on my way...the Air France terminal in Houston was an experience of its own- as the messages and everything on the intercom was in French!!! THe two french girls at my gate flirted with me and asked me if i had a lady. THis worked out nicely as they let me grab a window seat for my flights from Houston to Paris, and from Paris to Venice. I had to break it to them that i was gay (sorry ladies) and they told me that i was very good-looking for a gay man ( i still don't know what that meant, but i'll take it as a compliment i guess)...

I was able to sleep for most of my flights due to my lack of sleep the night before...landing in Paris was pretty breathtaking as i was able to get a great view of the city and the Eiffel Tower on my way in (thanks cute French girls!!) The Paris airport was another experience all in itself- ok- the vending machines had coca cola light??? what!?? They don't have diet coke!!?? i guess it's supposed to be a private matter if you're on diet in Europe, so diet coke never took off- plus, they don't use artifiicial sweeteners like we do- my first culture shock!!! haha....

Another layover- i made it to the gate in time for the earlier flight to Venice, but my charm failed me this time around as the French girl at the counter wouldn't let me on so i had to wait two hours for my originally scheduled flight- ugh!!!

I finally landed in Venice after catching another great view from the plane of Venice!! My sister's directions on what to do to get to the hotel sucked!!! I got my first experience of no one speakin my language and no one knowing what the hilton was- i guess it's a fairly new hotel in Venice- they recently bought the Stuckey. not knowing what on earth to do- i finally took the public transpo system (on boats) to the city center- San Marco square. THis took an hour b/c i took the boats the wrong way (long way around the city)...i finally found my way to the Hilton to find my Mother and my sister already checked in and enjoying my platinum status drinking wine and wondering where i was...hmmm!! i wonder!! (it's not all their faults though as my phone received no service in all of Europe!! Sprint screwed me over big time. i had called to tell them i would be abroad for 6 weeks and they told me i'd be fine since i had the international plan...however, my phone model isn't compatible in Europe- so basically, i'm without a phone for the next 6 weeks!! Ugh again!!! and sprint's without a customer when i get back!! But that's a whole different story!...

C Murda, MoMo, and I went out to Venice to get some drinks and a sandwich....there were only two places in all of Venice open after midnight....and only one that served food....i realized that Venice isn't really a big city at all...it's a tourist town with a dying local population (only 60,000 or so and declining every year....most of these people are older too!). We went to bed soon after in order to get a start on the next day!

We ventured into Venice early and started our day at the Doge's Palace. THe Doge was the ruler/president of the Venetian state during its time of independence. THe palace was beautiful and filled with wonderful art and statues, etc. This was probably the coolest thing we did in Venice. Venice is truly a unique place and one of italy's best preserved ancient cities. It's surrounded with waterways and canals. there are no cars in Venice either-as it's a city made up on 100 islands or so-strung together with 400 bridges. The city, in a lagoon basically, began as a trade route and a refuge from barbarians. San Marco square, St. Mark's chapel, the tower, and the Jewish ghetto (the first ghetto really- and where the word comes from) were all very cool. We spent most of our day walking around, checking out the bridges and sites and getting lost in all the alley-ways and streets....We ended the night enjoying the free drinks in the hilton and hanging out in the skyline bar overlooking the city!

check out the pics!

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