May 13, 2022
We start with something very important. Someone very important.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TATE!
7 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!
The song says, “Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start,” blah, blah, blah. Well, today we are not starting with ABC or do re mi. We are starting at the end.
Tonight for supper Bonnie had bruchetta. That’s it. Bruchetta (however it is speeled) with a dash of balsamic vinegar. And I had a great fried porkchop and the best French fries we’ve ever had. Yes “we’ve” ever had because my table mate had some too. Hot. Salty. And no catsup. Or ketchup. And if you are interested, “C”atsup came first, about 1690, and “K”etchup second, about 1710. If you had been at my Civitavecchia talk you would be raising your hand because you’d’ve heard it before.
We’ve eaten at the same place every evening. A great al dente spot. Very good waitress. And a slow leisurely pace. Except for the toast with tomato chunks on top, we’ve tried something different each evening, and there’s a ways to go.
Well, now it’s time for ABC and do re mi.
After a good breakfast prepared by Mom, we hit the callies and byways looking for the vaporetto stop that will take us to the airport on the 23rd and Delta home. We want to be sure we know where we are going so we don’t have to race through Venice like we did Rome Termini dragging our luggage at speeds greater than two 75 year olds should have to run. My companion calculated a good route and it is virtually a straight line. Well, a straight line with one zig, one zag (slight both) and then a left turn. It’s not all level ground however, because first we have to climb the Appalachian Mountains, and then Mount Everest. If we get back out there before the big day, I’ll take some pictures of the steps I have described as earth’s crust thrusting upward. We also bought tickets for a round trip on the 22nd to get our covid test, and make a practice run, and one way tickets to Marco Polo Airport for the 23rd, and extra tickets for our HEAVY suitcases.
A light lunch of a half grilled cheese sandwich each, accompanied by potato chips and small chocolate squares for dessert. Then it was naptime, after which we went on a walk to the Rialto Bridge.
On the way we passed a store selling ducks. That’s right. Small ducks in all kinds of costumes and made up as all kinds of characters. There was an Elvis and a Jesus, but those were too high up to get a good photo.
And Brian, you remember the pictures you sent me for the QB of the cars a man fashioned out of old soft drink cans and beer cans? We found a store selling small versions of that type of artwork. Really good stuff.
Well, there is a webcam pointed right at the Rialto Bridge. I sent a quick text to the JAMM Kids, and Michael was able to take a quick break and pull it up. We waved at him and he did a screen capture.
Standing in front of the second dock down from the bridge is a tourist in a pink shirt (and white headband) and her companion in a blue shirt and a very floppy hat. That’s us. We will try to give you a better warning the next time we go there and maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of your favorite bloggers at one of the most iconic spots in Venezia.
Here are two more Rialto shots:
Then we headed back and had supper.
And now I will turn it over to the bride of my youth who will write the next chapter of “War and Peace.”
Love,
Dad/Pappy/David
* * * * *
Well, It was a dark and stormy night! We went to bed at 10:30. And off to sleep I went. However, at 11:30 my cpap machine started whistling. It had done that on the ship several days and kept me awake. When we got to Rome I switched to my other mask and it had stopped. I thought maybe for good but oh no it began again. So being awake I got up for several hours, tried to sleep on the couch , no luck so finally went back to bed without the cpap and got about 2 hours sleep. Then, up again till Dad got up. Yuck. My watch said I got 4 and a half hours of sleep. Upon arising we made our breakfast and consumed it. The usual eggs, pancetta, toast. All good. One morning we are going to go out and have croissants, coffee and hot chocolate their way.
Well, after doing the dishes and cleaning up it was bath time. This morning we were going to attempt to wash my hair. I sat on the toilette and, we opened the doors on top of the tub that were for the shower. I bent over , he took down the shower head and off we went. It was a little messy but we were successful. I now have clean hair. And apologizing to the Italians, I found the wash clothes and proceeded to finish my cleaning in the sink. Afterwards it was figuring out how to use the hair dryer and dry my hair. I hung all the wet towels out on the clothes line to dry. Then, we got dressed and headed out to find our way to the boat for the airport.
The path is very narrow in some places but we were able to get there in about 20+ minutes. Then, it is necessary to go up and down two very HIGH sets of steps. It will be a challenge. We found where the boat docks, got a picture of the timetable and bought two round trip tickets for Sunday, May 22, (that will be happy birthday time for Mike and Matt), because we need to get our covid tests a day before and all the Pharmacies in Venice are closed on Sunday, YEAH! But they give the tests at the Venice airport everyday from 8 to 5. They must be 24 hours before your flight. We also bought two tickets for Monday, May 23 the day of our flight, including a ticket for our suitcases which is extra. Using their time schedule for the boat and the fact it is a 45 minute ride and we have to be at the airport 3 hours before our flight , we will be rising about 5am and headed that way by 6am. It will be a long day. But at least we don’t have to drive home from Atlanta. We will be taking the shuttle.
We did stop at a pharmacy to purchase some cold sore medicine for Dad and Uncle Kyle. It is only 7 or 8 euros here but $150 in the US. Upon arriving home I fixed us each a half grilled cheese sandwich with chips and a drink. Then, I was very tired and we napped. Good nap today.
Then, we decided to go to the Rialto Bridge again today and find the web cam. It only took us a short time to get there today. We took some pictures on the bridge and then went down on the dock to pose and wave at the camera. Mikey was the only one who got to see us but he took a picture for everybody else. We wandered around looking at some of the vendors and shops and then, headed back for supper. The store with all the ducks was crazy. There must have been at least a thousand. We went into one store that sold leather pocketbooks. Oh! it smelled so good. Always reminds me of my Dad. I looked around and Dad said I could have one but I told him maybe later. Most of the purses they have here in Venice are in bright almost neon colors. There are lime green, yellows, reds, and bright oranges. Jen the orange ones are something else.
Hey Maggie way to go!! You are legal now. Remember it doesn’t have wings!!
And Tate, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Wow!! Seven years old.
Well, for supper tonight I didn’t want a lot so I had some brusettas. That is little rounds of crusty bread topped with olive oil and tomatoes and herbs. The tomatoes are out of this world. I added a little balsamic vinegar and enjoyed them all. I ate some of your Dad’s French fries. They gave us Italian ketchup and mayonnaise, but they were just great just plain. They didn’t even need any extra salt. We topped off the meal with still water.
After supper we walked up to the square where the hospital is and a big old church and had a some gelato. Now we are home and resting and will be off to bed soon. We just sang happy birthday to Tate and saw some great pictures of him.
Well, time to say good night. Love and miss you all. I am glad everyone is enjoying my strawberries!!!
Love, Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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