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LABOR DAY IN VENICE

SEPT 1, 2004 TO SEPT 6, 2004

The players: Kate, Tony, and Connor

09/01/04 and 09/02/04 Well, it’s finally time to head back to Venice! After a very hectic week for Tony and I, I think we’re all ready to go. We’ve managed to pack everything in backpacks again to make it easier to get around. Kate from The Lucky Lady picked us up at 2:00 pm and we headed to the airport (Logan). After waiting in a long line at Lufthansa, we were checked in and on our way to the gate. Th flight to Munich was uneventful except that these were the morst uncomfortable seats ever! The flight from Munich to Venice was on a prop-job from Dolomite Air. Since these seats were very comfortable, I slept this whole flight and missed the Alps. Connor was stuck sitting next to a VERY large man and couldn’t see much either. We had no trouble getting our tickets (Orange City tickets) and getting the transfer to St. Mark’s. Found the Canaletto with only one map check. It’s a nice little hotel. It’s a little older, but very clean with lots of charm and in a great location right off of Campo San Lio. Once we checked in, Tony headed out for a walk. Connor and I opted to stay in to sleep (me) and relax (Connor). After Tony got back, he napped while I showered and got ready. We headed out for another ramble. I love Venice, I could spend all of my time doing nothing more organized than wandering around this beautiful city. We took a long stroll along the quayside of the lagoon and ended up in Campo San Giovanni Novo. Ate at a resturant there called Aciugheta. Dinner was great, it was perfect weather for eating outside. Also stopped at an internet cafe there to drop Brian an email letting him know we got in o.k. Headed back to the hotel and called it a night. I slept great from 9:30 pm to 1:00 am then couldn’t fall back to sleep until after 4:00 am., and I was the first on up this morning.

09/03/04 Connor’s still asleep and Tony’s showering. I hate to get Connor up, but I guess I’d better! Not sure what we’re doing today. Probably museums or Murano. Ate breakfast downstairs (typical continental) and took the #42 ACTV to Murano. We browsed around and picked up some Murano glass and took in the glass museum. Headed back and got off at Ferovia and walked back towards St. Mark’s Square. It was a long walk but I finally got to cross the Rialto. It reminded me of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. It was packed with tourists and shops. We ate lunch at a nice little trattoria. Once we got back to San Marco, we toured the Doge’s Palace. Tony and Connor really enjoyed it. We headed back to the room for a siesta. After a two hour nap, we got ready and headed out for dinner. We walked over to Antico Martini, but opted out of eating there since Spahetti Pomodoro for Connor was 15 euro. We decided to head back to the water front for supper instead. We had a great supper at a retaurant whose name I forgot to check (*sigh*). After dinner we walked to the Academia Bridge for Tony to get some great shots of Venice at night. Got back to the room about 11:30 pm with lights out at 12:30 am.

*ADDENDUM* Dinner was at the Ristornate Wildner at the Wildner Hotel. They had a very nice tourist menu.

09/04/04 Slept late this morning (9:30), and missed breakfast. Tony ran out to get us some coffee and we’re finishing getting ready. I think today we’ll go to the Archaeology Museum and maybe the Academia Art Museau and take a walk to the ghetto in the Cannaregio. We’ll see what all we accomplish. After a quick espresso and pigeon feeding in San Marco, we caught the ACTV down to the Gardens. Tony wanted to go there because there was a park and statue dedicated to Garibaldi. While enjoying the gardens, I got bit by a damn mosquito! I HATE Italian mosquitos!! After the gardens we stopped for lunch quayside at Al Gabiano. After lunch, Connor and I went to the Civico and Archaeological Museums while Tony took a walk to the ghetto. Took another afternoon siesta and headed out to the Rialto for some shopping. Worked our way back to St. Mark’s where we bought a tablecloth. Connor bought a mask and Tony bought some belts at the Rialto. Caught the ACTV over to the Lido for supper. It’s very odd because there are cars and scooters and such over there. Ate dinner at an over-crowded Pizzeria with great pizza, grabbed some gelatto, and headed back. Tried to send Brian an email, but the cafe was closed (despite a sign saying they were open…La Dolce Vita). Headed back to the room and camped out for the night.

09/05/04 Boy do our feet hurt!! I think today will be a very low key day!! Got up and dressed and hit the hotel breakfast. Walked to St. Mark’s and toured the Bascilica and the Campanielle (neither were covered in the Orange tickets 3 euro and 6 euro/person). The views from the bell tower were awesome and we got to hear the bells go off. It was very cool in the bell tower, I could’ve stayed there all day. Tony and I both got wallets from the Pagan Store in the square. Afterwards we headed back to the room for a bit, then went to a pizzeria down the street for lunch. Caught a short siesta and Tony picked up gelatto for us on his way back from the bancomat. Hit San Marco again for an other pigeon feed and some over priced drinks in the square. We had to pay a 4.40 euro/perosn charge for the music in addition to the over-priced drinks. It’s worth the price though for the people watching. Went to Ristorante Wildner for another fantastic supper, then headed back to the Hotel Cannaletto and a final gelatto.

09/06/05 Had breakfast at the hotel. Last day of vacation always sucks! Hung out in St. Mark’s for awhile people watching and pigeon feeding. Caugh the 10:20 am Alilaguna to the airport and am sitting here at gate 11 waiting for our flight.