Blogs from Veneto, Italy, Europe - page 222

On the train to Venezia! We're passing through the countryside outside of Milano, which is eerily beautiful in the winter. The frosted fields are full of stubble, and are criss-crossed by rows of elegant bare trees, canals full of silvery ice, and hedges protecting stubborn bits of snow from the weak sun. This morning, a mist hangs over everything, and the new rays transform the scene into a study in pastels. We're sitting across from three people who seem to be going home to Venice. Their Italian is softer, full of sussurating z's, not the hard explosions of Milanese. Erika gets a text, and they smile at each other, indulgent of the American students, when I whip out my dictionary to translate "augorio." (Wish, as in "best wishes.") ... Morning after arrival. Yesterday: Stopped at a ... read more

We arrived in Venice on Septmeber 10, in the middle of the film festival. Not having booked our accomodations in advance, we spent an hour at the train station, along with hundreds of other people, trying to book one of the few budget rooms left in the city. We finally found a room in a Christian hostel and were allowed to share a double with bunkbeds beacuse we are married. The first night we met up with Sarah, an old friend of Tracey's, in Sant Margarita Square (the student area) and shared stories and wine on tap until we had to return to the hostel for the 11:00 cerfew. Sarah and her husband Giamba live in Venice, make paper mache masks and play together in two bands (pretty nice lifestyle). The second night we were there, ... read more

So we haven't actually left for Venice yet. We've been running around like crazy doing last minute things: neighbors to look after the house and water the plants, shopping for a proper coat for Debbie, etc. But it is finally starting to sink in that we are actually going to do this...we've been talking about it for 10 years now (Debbie is of Italian descent). So my travel agent tells me that I must read "The Agony and the Ecstacy" a biographical novel of the life and times of Michelangelo. I knew of this book and heard it was great, so said "ok" and went down to B&N. So its a 700 page book in small type. And I am on page 3 with about 36 hours before I get on a plane. Got some reading ... read more

(written during a weekend trip to italy four years ago while on assignment in munich, germany) May 31, 2000. SAG Systemhaus Office, Munich. Late Afternoon. We hurriedly cleaned our desk. Tomorrow is a German holiday and on Friday, almost every staff in our Munich office will be on vacation taking advantage of the four-day weekend opportunity. So the three of us - Mac, Che and me - will be heading our way to Italy, catching the midnight train from Munich to Venice, the first stop of our Italian tour. This is a dream come true. I was assigned to this reengineering project a year ago little suspecting that I would be very fortunate to see most of Europe for free. We are here in Munich for the whole of spring to tie some loose ends of ... read more

Dammit, I just wrote a whole bunch and accidentally pressed a wrong button and it all disappeared, so I will instead recap: Was raining like crazy in Rome, got up early to miss crowds, forgot it was Sunday at the Vatican, so crowds still present. Saw the square, lots of statues, very cool. Went into Saint Peter's, most amazingly amazing place ever. Bought umbrella, got soaked anyhow from ensuing argument with Sarah. Went to Vatican Museum. Saw sarcophogi and other such things. Sistine Chapel gorgeous, very calming, except for obnoxious security guard standing underneath the big bold SILENCE PLEASE sign screaming "NO CAMERAS!!!!!!!! *clap clap clap* HEY!!! NO CAMERAS!!!!". Rained too much, dress got wet and almost fell down, went back to cabin. That's about how far I got. If you need more detail, go see ... read more