DAY 9.  Tuesday June 29th

Bags was at 730 and breakfast was pretty boring- cereal. We had an early lunch around 1030 and I ended up getting something with I’m sure it was raw meat on it. I didn’t eat that. I’m glad it was cheap. I think the bank machine ate someone’s bank card. I’m not sure if she got it back. On the bus Jeff did a very hard sell on the dinner. It didn’t impress a lot of people. There was much discussion of commissions with the optional excursions and the places we visit. Jeff did say the worst thing you can take away with you is regret. Which is true. I regret I didn’t buy that hat I liked in Switzerland. But I think the key thing to remember is what everyone comes for is a little different, so what everyone regrets is different, and not everyone comes for the cuisine. We arrived in Venice by 1 taking the boat ride in, and had much time to walk around. We saw a glass blowing demonstration which was pretty amazing as the fellah made a pitcher and an ornamental horse in minutes. Went into the Basilica of St Mark, and for a group gondola ride. The streets are sort of confusing because they are so skinny you can’t see up to see the landmarks, and with the canals and all they are pretty similar looking. Luckily they do have signs with arrows all over the place. We didn’t do the supper but instead opted for a 2 Euro piece if pizza, and sat in the square and people watched. We also discovered gelatti. YUM. There were a LOT of birds here in the square. They say if birds shat on you its lucky. I wonder if its also lucky to sit in it? There were also lots of people in the square. And a small smelly dog that attacked me and I was having trouble shooing it away. The people returning from supper had had a lot of wine. They were singing in the square. And one of our company received a serenade on the bus ride back from one of the others. In Venice we needed overnight bags instead of suitcases which was fine… Much less carrying! We go there at about 10:30pm and we got a large suite with a couch and table.

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Ireland Looking back

The canals