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We wandered out to Verona and Venice, the source of inspiration of several Shakespearean plays, and the canals, respectively. I was also able to get on the internet to post a blog entry, check my mail, and see if Tubby had burned the house down (he hadn't... yet).
| 6:13am | I realize Tubby is usually awake at this hour, but I actually paid out money for this early of a wake-up call. What was I thinking? |
| 6:45am | I had a sad breakfast -- at least compared to my standards (which include three or four cans of Diet Pepsi before the 9am hour hits). For some reason, the girl likes spreading butter on bread rolls. Rachel always finds the butter to be most frozen and therefore difficult to spread, but she endeavors to her goal. I feel a tad of glee as she mumbles about it yet slaves herself to butter or margarine or whatever it is. |
| 7:10am | Hygiene is very important. And my company's dental insurance can be quite expensive. While I brush vigorously, I try to avoid flossing at all costs. While I scrubbed my chompers, the girl flossed hers. I don’t think she’s doing it right; is she supposed to be cutting her gums and causing bleeding? Just a question I pose to the masses. |
| 8:45am | We’re on the autostrada, heading to Verona and Venice. |
| 10:10am | The coach stops at an Autogrill. I calmly walk, at a leisurely pace, into the mens' restroom and take care of my business. Our male-to-female ratio definitely leans to the female side. So the women, along with Rachel, usually make a mad dash for the ladies’ stalls. The girl arrived before I did and was still waiting in line as I went to the food area (after washing thoroughly, despite so many guys who fail to do so, I've seen). A wink and smirk was sent her way. She bought a sandwich called a camogli and a Coca-Cola light. |
| 11:40am | Where fore art thou? In Verona. |
| 11:50am | This is the entry of the alcove of Juliet's balcony, just before our hoard descended upon it. Debra told us that in some regards, the Italians are 10 years behind the Americans -- graffiti is the “it” thing these days. Leaving a sticky note (either a Post-it® brand or a generic version) with a happy couple’s names on it is quite popular. I wonder how many languages Juliet can speak? |
| 11:53am | She’s a little tall for me, but still a buxom babe for a holiday snap [a picture]. (I'm referring, of course, to the bronze statue of Juliet, although Kathy is quite a delightful lass.) |
| 12:10pm | It’s wander time. Corazon practically begged to become FrankPals, as did Kathy (from the last entry)... and how could I refuse these wonderful ladies? |
| 12:21pm | Homeless guy, or just not suitably fashioned with the proper bag modeled by J. Lo? She and Uma Thurman were the only Americans I saw in Italian ads. Well, no, J. Lo was advertising a Louis Vitton handbag, so it might have been an American ad. Uma Thurman is much loved by the people of Italy. |
| 12:30pm | Thanks to Gore-Tex, the Arena is being repaired and whatnot. As I’m a cheap duck, I went against the notion of paying to go inside the Area. I dropped off a postcard in one of the giant mailboxes, and headed over to McDonald’s in the hope of getting chicken nuggets, but they were closed. Bastards. And what the hell is a McPink? |
| 12:48pm | The girl and I wandered around Verona a bit more. I wanted to take a bath but the party pooper I’m with wouldn’t let me. This star burst thing was a bit overwhelming. I mean, can you even *see* me in the photo? |
| 1:20pm | On the road again, this time bound for Venice. |
| 3:30pm | We are heading into The Venice, not mainland Venice, but the place where gondolas and canals live. We cart our carry-ons over 4 bridges to get to the Hotel Continental. Our luggage is sent with these guys via speedboat to the hotel. |
| 3:51pm | Check in goes smoothly and the girl and I get a room to ourselves! Yea! Room 394 was almost a little too girly for me, what with the desk area. But there was a firm bed and an okay place to attend to my personal needs. I’ve never, in all my travel, stayed in a hotel with as many flights of stairs as the Hotel Continental. (Yes, the blurry pictures are just to make you think your eyes are going -- gotcha!) |
| 4:05pm | Time to go for a gondola ride, but Daniel from Yosu, Korea asked to be a FrankPal, and I was delighted to oblige. |
| 4:15pm | Boarding a gondola at low-tide isn’t exactly without event. It was more of a leap into a rocking vehicle of transportation. Our gondolier doesn’t really look happy and livin’ la vida loca, does he? |
| 4:22pm | Margaret and Neil and Janice shared my ride with me, and Joanne sat next to the girl. When we arrived, you'll be pleased to know I managed to get off the gondola without slipping or landing in the less-than pristine water. |
| 4:47pm | The canals are a great place to see brickwork, algae, bridges and laundry. |
| 5:30pm | While most of my travelin’ peeps went off to see Venice By Night (not a good picture taking opportunity), I sauntered over to the VeNice internet cafe. I emailed Tubby and some others as the girl checked her mail. We then headed back to the hotel for a nap. |
| 7:45pm | Dinner, courtesy of Insight Vacations, was served at the hotel. I had chicken, some leafy greens and gelato. I will admit an affection to this cold yum-yum. It soothes the palate. |
| 10:30pm | Time for me to get some sleep. Rachel fell asleep at least an hour ago. I guess watching MTV Italia was too much for her. I did enjoy the Black Eyed Peas’ song, “Shut up” and watching Outkast’s Hey Ya video. |