Last Day in Venice

Trip Start Sep 25, 2009

Trip End Oct 05, 2009

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Where I stayed

Pensione Accademia - Villa Maravege Venice

Flag of Italy Venice, Veneto, Italy
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Buon giorno:

I could complicate matters by writing this in Italian, but to tell you the truth it would take too long. I have bee using the language that I learned from Gabrielle's book and from her lessons. People actually understand me. I went to the front desk and asked Luciano to make a reservation for us for tonight at our favorite place Taverna Sn Trovaso, and did the whole thing in Italian ! I hope we get to have dinner tonight. I used the language yesterday a lot and when the conversation is simple, it is doable.

Having spent 4 exhausting days, we are just strolling around Dorsoduro today. Our hotel is in a quiet and charming area on the oppoite side of the Canale Grande from S Marco, a fraction of the tourists !!!!!! Laura is in her favorite bead store, a lovely place right on the GC with stunning views. We will head over the Ponte Accademia to a Glass Exhibit soon, and the spend a relaxing day wandering the backstreets of Venice, my favorite Veneteian activity

Venice Side Canal

. The side streets, un peopled are extraordinary, to say the least. Narrow, winding alley ways basically with an occasional bridge to who knows where. You get to see the daily activities of the residents and a lot of drying laundry hanging from windows. Just before we left the hotel, we spoke with Luciano about his guitar playing and I mentioned that I was in a group with so far just my very dear friend and mentor Pascual. He told me when he jams with his friend one does picking and one strumming !!! I guess there are aren't that many variations, Paz.

    Anyway Venice has been great. The weather is quite warm during the day upper 70's way too reminicent of my hot solo July and August trips in 2001 and 2002, but back then I was better prepared with shorts etc. We will move our tavels to Italy further ahead next year to early November. I also miss Tuscany a little, especially the food, which I like better there. Laura and I both agreed that the wine, vino della casa, is better is Tuscany for obvious reasons.

    Tomorrow we rent a car and drive north for 2 hrs to Belluno and the Dolomites and then head west to the Val Sugana, where we will stay at that castle at Pergrine, about half way to out next major destination at Lake Como. Looking forward to the castle. I have read that it is not too good an idea to leave the room too late at night and wander around the castle, for fear of bumping into the Ghost of Pergine, a rather angry spirit who was told thats he could only pay cash at the bar when she was ready to pay using her MC during the 14th century.

    Love to everyone,

    Alan

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