An unusual start!

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Greetings from Italy! Yes, I am really here, and yes, I am not positive about how to put in the contraction mark using this keyboard. They all have to be different, it seems! But my group made it to Venice, and today we have seen the main square and the bell tower...I managed to capture a bit of the video I was imagining there. We studied a few paintings and went inside the church (cathedral of St. Mark, or really, the possessive of that--you get my drift). I will definitely find ways to add pictures, for we all have taken countless ones already.

The main thing on my mind at the start of the trip is the fact that my luggage is misplaced. We flew into Verona, actually, and then on to Venice. But in London I had to check my backpack, or carry on, and I spent a very long time in the security line. While I was there, I observed people, and many Italians were around me. At one point they quietly sang, and I could tell that the long, long wait was not getting to them. I got up to the terminal and had to about run (think Sam in the movie Love Actually) to the gate...it was the furthest away. So I got on the plane and was told that my luggage would be coming over on the next flight. Hours later in Venice, another group member and I were not so sure that it did...we waited in many lines to find out and to get it, possibly. No luck. Our fatigue added to the stress of the day and a half that few slept, yet after our first meal (we get the many courses for each dinner here...there are pictures) and last night in a real bed, things look up somewhat!

It should be delivered to our hotel here, so I have found other ways to get by in the meantime. This is a definite travel first, and one that I feel I am well acquainted with now! Already I have some articles brewing in the meager notes on the paper I do have, so we will see. At least I am in Italy. Ciao for now, and please stay tuned for the next installent!

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Photos

Marco Polo airport
I have seen how this airport is technically outside Venice, so perhaps this was another town altogether! I also heard about how most of the workers commute into Venice (the cost of living is reflected in the prices you'll see, as well as a sign on a fruit cart labeled "Dear Tourist, do not touch."). I spent a good while here, as did the other group member hoping to be reunited with her luggage. We arrived via bus from Verona and later, were finally on our way into Venice itself.

First italian dinner
This is a look at the first "real meal" (not airplane food!) we had in Italy. I am pleased about having lemon Fanta again...I find it nowhere in the States. This restaurant was literally two doors down from our hotel, and our little walkway (since the "street" is a canal) did face a canal with gondolas. Perfect.

View out of room in Venice
This view may not have been the one seen from my window (there was a canal below us, and a view of the bus station...very Italian), but I thought it suited to show you all. This was when all us students were checking out everyone else's rooms and noting the tabs on the faucets being different and all. This courtyard was facing the hotel where Tom N., an ASU faculty member, stayed. We met for our first lecture in his room, actually.

Comments

[Margaret Walters]

Sorry about your luggage!
Hi, Katrina! I'm glad you have made it safely there and am not surprised by all the running you had to do or the lost luggage. The airline lost my daughter's luggage when we went to Italy--it took a week for her to get it. I hope yours arrives sooner. I think drug stores sell tablets there so you could pick up a notebook just in case. Cheers, Margaret