Venice: Harry's Bar

So, it seems I am on a life long pilgrimage to Ernest Hemingway haunts... I ran across Harry's Bar while wandering the Grand Canal tonight in Venice and how could I refuse a drink at the very bar stool Ernest sat. While I am forbidden by tradition to reveal a picture of the bar stool, I did take a photo from that bar stool.

I did not have the classic champagne drink... Well, not yet. I think it is a Bellini (sp?) but everyone drinking them is totally drunk.

Let's see how it goes. ;)




Bellini in progress...

Margaritas in the street!

Spent my first personal money of the trip... A street margarita vendor for something to drink while I wander!

Side trip: Venice!

It has been an intense few days of work in Legnago. Lots of work, lots of eating and espresso. People take an espresso break every hour or two... Having five or more shots during the day is easy to do. Good when you are working 12-18 hour day...

One of the people I was going to see was going east to Venice and convinced me to come meet his family and spend an evening in Venice. So, with no plan but to wander, here I am!





The street outside my hotel... Going to wander and hit the touristy things, find a few cafes to relax in, and perhaps eat some more. :)

Morning in Legnago

So after an eventful trip, here we are in Legnago. Amazingly, it only took a short time to get to sleep and I woke up before the alarm. With no luggage, it was short work getting showered and dressed. I did hazard the emergency razor provided with not so good results. Ouch. Messy. Won't do that tomorrow! :)

Breakfast was a mix of American breakfast and classic sweets and coffee and meats and cheeses. Being the tourist, it only seemed right to sample each type of offering. The pastries and cheeses and meats were definitely the favorites.

Then wash it all down with some espresso and it is time to go to work!

I've fallen and I can't get up?

While getting ready for bed I ran across this little gizmo in the shower. Do we think there is an intruder problem in the area and you need this in case they sneak up on you in the shower? Or are there just a lot of old people who stay here?

Inquiring minds and all that...

(more) Issues

So I set foot in Italy today. It was only about 12 hours later than planned, 12 very painful hours. As you might have expected, there was one more delightful situation to be addressed...

In amongst switching planes and itineraries over the last day and a half, somehow my luggage got separated from me. I know, shocking, but I had a small sliver of hope that somehow my bag had ended up here via some route. No dice, it did not come off the conveyor from my last flight and no one can find it without an investigation. I suspect it is in some locked room in the Milan airport, but the lost bag people were not at liberty to tell me that. So, I filled out the form and now I wait to hear when they will deliver it.

While I was dealing with all this, my Italian friend Marco was waiting outside hoping to see me emerge. Finally I did, from a different door of course, so a bit of triangulation with less than 100% efficiency in communication resulted in us meeting up in really not that long given the way the rest of the trip went.

Then the drive to Legnago, I checked into the hotel and whew I can wash and relax and not wear the same clothes for a bit.

Have to deal with THAT problem in the morning... a new shirt would be nice, at a minimum.

For now I am thinking that a bit of sleep would be the right thing to do!

Finally... An enjoyable flight

Each leg of the almost 36 hour journey from Detroit to Milan has been painful in some way. Frustration, discomfort, waiting, waiting, waiting... But the Air France connection from Paris to Milan has been completely enjoyable. The seating is the best of any of the flights so far (got a half hour nap in even)... The snack was yummy... A little orzo salad, a fruit tart, a chocolate filled chocolate thing, some strong coffee and a hunk of dark chocolate. I'd include a picture of the snack, but I ate all of it!

I feel awake even. At least until the caffeine and sugar buzz wears off!

Next challenge... Land and see if my luggage ended up in the same place I am. I'm guessing the probability of that is about zero.

Descending into northern Italy....