Magical Venice in the Fog

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Geo: 45.4345, 12.3384

Got to the airport early and went to check in with Alitalia. In hopes of preventing more
luggage charges, we combined our important things into Laura's daypack, and in the Ape both
computers and checked the rolling bags on through. Had bought a bag in Santorini to
replace the one we lost as we left Berlin that had the medicines and snacks in it.

Found our gate and had ourselves a cup of coffee and croissant and watched the comings and
goings of people around us. We were flying from Paris to Rome and then on to Venice.
Robert had done a great deal of research and we were taking flights that would allow us to
arrive in Venice at around 3:30 in the afternoon. Finally, they called our flight and we
all got loaded on the plane. There was a tour group on our plane that were entertaining as
the tour leader was walking back and forth talking to the people in the group in rapid fire
Italian. Suddenly, there is an announcement........our flight is delayed and we will be
landing later than scheduled. Oh, the uproar!!!

Unfortunately, we also were affected by this delay. We missed our connecting flight and
were put on a flight that was not leaving until early evening putting us in Venice around
7:30! Made the best of it and just enjoyed the Rome airport.

Landed in Venice and more troubles....Robert's bag did not arrive. Walked over to the Lost
luggage area and made arrangements for his bag to be delivered to Christine's tabac shop
since we were not certain of the exact address of the place we were staying. We had let
Christine know we were delayed and she arranged for the keys to be picked up in the bar next
door to her shop.

This time we were able to walk directly to her place. Do not know why it was so confusing
last year but we were glad to be there. Rearranged the furniture to my liking, settled our
bags around and then went to Estro Vino y Cucina, the restaurant right down the street from
our place. Even so late, it was very busy and we had several small plates and
a couple of nice glasses of wine before calling it an evening.

One of the things that is so enjoyable about being in Venice is the fact you can just walk
around and window shop and enjoy all the old buildings and the scenes on the canals. Got
some groceries and got settled in still waiting for word of Robert's bag. On the evening of
the second day, we got word from Christina, the bag was at the shop. Headed right over and
got it. This year we are in Venice in November and the weather is cool/cold and many of the
days, there was fog over the water which made it even more magical!

The next day had a very interesting international experience. We decided to wash some
clothes since we had not washed clothes since Santorini. We had seen a self service
laundromat last time and so loaded up our stuff and off we went. When we arrived at the
place, there was an elderly gentleman trying to figure things out. Speaking to us in
Italian, was trying to get soap for his machine. We tried to help and managed to help him
lose his money the first time but got it right the second time. This laundromat has numbers
for each washing machine, each dryer, and each type of soap, etc. You put your money in and
then hit the correct number. OK fine, and we were able to get our clothes washing. Then in
walk two young Asian men. Put their clothes in washer and elder gentlemen explains what to
do(in Italian). They put money in and nothing happens. Fortunately, a young girl had come
in and evidently must have been a local because she pulls out her phone and calls the number
on the wall for assistance and a lady arrives and gives change to the guys and assures me
the machine will give me change as well. Robert actually did intercede on behalf of the
guys and explain their problem and make sure they got their change. By the time it was
over, we were all smiles and had some nice clean clothes! Communication by sign and smiles!

Most of the time we spent in Venice on this trip was spent walking to get supplies at a grocery store and coming back to the room and resting in hopes of getting rid of the bronchitis we had picked up in Paris, but on the way enjoyed the sights and
sounds of the ancient city. One of the days when we were feeling a little better we walked down to San Marcos square along with
all the crowds and then down the on down the waterfront. Like mentioned earlier, it was
very foggy compared to last year in summer but made the gondolas seem magical. Stopped at place on the waterfront and enjoyed a pizza and watched the tourists heading back and forth.
Walked the Rialto market area but arrived there as the fresh fruit and vegetable stands were
closing down and the fish market was already shut down. Disappointing we did not get to
enjoy that area like we did last year, nor see our friend Linda.

One of the days we set off early and walked down to the Ferrovia, train station, and then
through the Cannaregio area of Venice through the Jewish gheto, and out into an area we had
not been before and then ended up back out on the waterfront. With the help of the map,
found our way over to the Campo dei Gesuiti and to the restaurant We. I am sure they
thought we were a little mad as we sat outside in the cold and enjoyed our lunch watching
the local boat traffic delivering goods and services throughout the city.

This was a very long walk and so we decided to do something we had not done. Caught the
water taxi at the Fondamente Nova stop and rode through the Grand Canal all the way to the
Pizzale Roma stop. Great fun. Sat outside at the front so got to see all the grand old
buildings as we glided along all for 7 euros each!

As a treat in the evening on a couple of days, we went to Riva del Vin on the Grand Canal
and had a glass of wine and appetizer and watched as most of the gondolas closed shop and
other small boats came in for the evening. The water taxis were still running. It was once
again magical to see all this as the evening fog rolled in.

When we left Venice, we were to fly to Frankfurt, retrieve our stored luggage and catch
flight to Austin. After our experience coming to Venice, we decided to change our tickets
to Lufthansa with a direct flight so as not to run into the possibility of flight delays or
lost luggage! Then, two days before we were to fly out, Lufthansa cabin crews and ticket
agents went on strike!!! Luckily for us the strike was settled and we were able to make all
our connections and land back in Austin very late in the evening but had an airbnb with
lockbox waiting for us.

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Photos

scenes around Venice
took a boat taxi through the Grand Canal on a very cold day but was quite entertaining

scenes around Venice
laundry day, learning curve on the machines

Festival of St. Martin
children sing songs, bang on pots and ask for treats or small coins. Saw several groups with red capes and crowns on going from store to store on the morning of November11