Che bello giorno

Yesterday in summary, after showering and napping:

— Took train to Padova, making it just in time for our 4 p.m. reservation into the Scrovegni Chapel to see the frescoes by Giotti.

— Figured out how to buy soccer tix. Doug used his part spanish part italian with the ticket man. We called it Spanitalian. It was quite impressive, actually.

— Managed to get to the game, which is outside of tourist areas, via taxi.

— Struggled with the way back. Doug called my response a mini-freak-out. But we did have to run across a field, jump a ditch and ask for help when we could not find the taxi. Made it back to train station in the nick of time. Thank you Lord that the train was late. Back to hotel at 11:30 p.m. Exhaustion.

Today was excellent. Weather: marvelous. Cloudless sky, nice breeze. We had a lazy morning recovering. Then headed out to meander around Venice and made it to Piazzo San Marco, which is amazing. Sadly, the basilica is under renovation and half of the exterior is covered in a gray shroud.

Took vaporetto down the Grand Canal to meet our rowing teacher for a gondola lesson. Wonderful homes along the way.

Spent 2 hours rowing with Jane, who has 2 soccer-crazy teens and husband. She and Doug talked soccer. She is from Australia but lives inVenice. A wonderful person and a great instructor. When we get back, I will post videos of us rowing. Partway through the lesson, we stopped rowing and Jane pulled out a spot of green tea with jasmine and honey! She is my hero. I have not had green tea since we left the US. It’s all about coffee here. What a great afternoon.

Doug says he enjoyed the gondola lesson, that it is a highlight of the trip for him so far.

We then had dinner at McDonalds. I know, I know. But I enjoyed the kiwi-on-a-stick that came with the kids meal.

Then back on the Grand Canal and back to Piazza San Marco.

Another thing I noticed is all the masks for sale. Carnival is very big in Venice, and these masks reminded me of my home town.

Tomorrow, I will try to get inside the basilica and the Doges Palace. (sorry, cannot find apostrophe on this keyboard) If we have time and Doug doesnt object, we may take ferry to the island of Burano, a fishing village famous for lace-making.

We will have a nice Italian dinner tomorrow at a restaurant owned by a friend of our rowing instructor. She said to use her name, and we will! But tonight, we ate at a place near our hotel. Yum …

Well, time is almost up at the internet cafe.

Ciao!

Christine