Friends abroad

     Day and I would leave Venice and spend a day with S and P, before we headed to Milan, and then home. We had met S and P in Tuscany two years earlier, while having dinner. We stayed in a nice villa in Radda in Chianti, and an option was to have the proprietors cook dinner for us. There were six of us, Day and myself, our friends S and D, and a couple we had never met before. By the end of the night the couple, S and P, felt like friends, maybe, it was all the wine. We seemed to have hit it off though, exchanged contact information, and stayed in touch via email and texting for the next couple of years.

     Years and years of vacations, have left me with many great moments and memories. I remember sitting on the banks of Loch Lennhe in Scotland, remembering the stupid argument Day and I had before I left for vacation, and wishing she was there with me. Dinner at Patrick's restaurant in Grenada, is another great memory, and a good story. I look forward to writing about it at some point, with the hopes you enjoy reading about it, as much as I have enjoyed telling the story over the years. Meeting S and P, and keeping in touch, is one of those moments.

     So of course, when we decided to go to Venice, we had hopes of meeting up with them again, but what are the chances of that happening? Yes we had a good time at dinner, they were fun and friendly, yes we exchanged contact information, and actually kept in touch. We kept in touch, but that only means exchanging text messages a dozen times in two years. We enjoyed having dinner with them, but that was only a few hours, and now we are going to meet them somewhere in Italy? If I were being honest, I wasn't getting my hopes up, and if we did meet, would we really like them as much as we thought we did, or was it in fact, all the wine? Well, we did make plans to get together via Facebook and text messages. We would leave Venice by train to Mestre and spend the night. The following morning, Day and I would take a train to Bassano Del Grappa, where S and P would pick us up at the train station. We would spend the day together, with two people we had met two years ago, for just 3 or 4 hours, and have only chatted with via text messages since. What could go wrong?

     Apparently, nothing, the day was perfect! Day and I got off the train, and headed up the stairs to the street, to the call of, "Curly Due!" And there were S and P, with big smiles, ready to greet Day and I. We exchanged hugs and the niceties, and headed to their car. Niceties quickly turned to a genuine interest in what we were all doing these last two years, and it felt like, old friends catching up. They were as friendly, funny, and as easy to like, as we remembered. Great, that means we will not be having lunch with two psychos ( I am sure they were worried about the same thing ). Lunch was good, they took us to a very nice restaurant. S and the waiter were very patient as Day practiced her Italian, and we continued to catch up on the last two years, for the next couple of hours. We finished lunch and would continue our day in, Bassano Del Grappa, north of Venice.

Bassano is a great old town, with tons of history. Bassano del Grappa, named for nearby Monte Grappa, is a pretty medieval town on the Brenta River in northern Italy's Veneto region. Bassano del Grappa is known for its Alpini wooden bridge, grappa, and ceramics. It's a pleasant base for exploring the nearby Venetian villas, castles, towns, and attractions of the Veneto region, often overlooked by travelers heading only to Venice.

We wandered the streets, Day and S chatting and window shopping, P and myself bullshitting about work, investments and retirement, AND of course vacations. I call them S and P, for privacy reasons, the same reasons I chopped off their heads in this picture...

but there they are, S and P, and here we are...

Day and I on the Ponte Vecchio, (old bridge)

The bridge was a stronghold for allied forces in WWII, you can still see the bullet holes in the buildings on either side of the street. The bridge itself was a perfect vantage point for great pictures.

I can't decide which one I like better. Not bad pictures for my phone camera though.

The day was pretty normal, even uneventful for the most part. Day and I took a train ride to meet friends for lunch and a walk around town. What was not normal, S and P were strangers, other than a 3 hour dinner and a dozen or so text messages, who we decided to meet up with again, on the other side of the world. Day and I were not sure how this was going to go, but by days end, it was clear, we liked S and P.

     Day and I had a train ride to Milan to muse over our day spent with our new friends. The day could have been uncomfortable, awkward, like a bad dinner date that doesn't seem to end, but it wasn't. It was comfortable, enjoyable, and like I said, like catching up with old friends. By chance, a couple joins us for dinner in Tuscany, who has a friend with the same nickname I have, "Curly," we hit it off and exchanged contact information, and two years later, we meet them in Bassano Del Grappa. I like stories like that. One I will enjoy telling for years.

     Day and I are planning for Prague in March or April of next year, and we do love Italy, so we look forward to meeting up with S and P again.

Venice: Chapter four

     Will this Italy blog ever end? No, it seems, is the answer. I have written a pre Italy post, and three other posts on Italy already, I just cannot shut up! Well, let's get started.

     We were going to go to southern Italy this year, but we got such a good price on flying into Milan, we couldn't pass it up. Emirates Air, from JFK to Milan round trip, a direct flight, $400.00. Take the train from Milan to Venice,  $50.00, it's a no-brainer, and not a bad view from the airport...

     We stayed in a vacation rental apartment, the Tilly's House. I cannot say enough about how happy we were with our choice of places to stay. The location was perfect, about a one minute walk to the Rialto Bridge, slept four, clean, everything we needed, relatively inexpensive. I would absolutely stay there again. I am adding a few links here, so you can find the Tilly's House with ease.
Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4. Ok Francesca I think I got most of them. The Tilly's House was perfect for us, and I believe it would be for most, but peoples' needs are different, so you should do your own research. We only got to meet Francesca for a few moments at the end of our stay, unfortunately. I would like to say now, thank you Francesca for the use of your beautiful home, and hope that we meet again, and have time for food and wine!

     Our first full day, we did a Cicchetti and Wine Tour, a pub crawl with food. Our guide was great, we got a lay of the land, a little history about Venice, and had great food and wine for lunch. I would absolutely recommend Urban Adventures to anyone. We did one other tour, a tour of Doge's Palace, also great. If you are interested in the history of Venice, I would recommend this tour also. Understand, we had what I thought were great guides, I am sure there are as many bad guides as there are good ones.

A walk across the

Bridge of Sospiri ( Sighs ) is part of this tour. The bridge of sighs, because the prisoners would sigh, or so it is said, as they were escorted across the bridge to their sells, and got their last look at Venice.

    We also went out to one of the surrounding islands, Murano, famous for it's glass blowing. The glass was beautiful to look at, a little pricey for Day and I though. It was a nice way to spend the day, if your looking to get away from the city for a day. Take a waterbus to one of the surrounding islands, if you looking for a change of scenery.

     The rest of time was just spent wandering around the allies of Venice, exploring and getting lost. Getting lost is easy in Venice, there are over 400 bridges crossing the numerous canals, but finding your way back is not terribly difficult. For us, once we saw a sign for the Rialto, we were back on track. There is no shortage of great food, wine and photo opps, so go ahead and get lost.

Venice was everything we had hoped it would be, and more. This has been our second trip to Italy, and I think it is fair to say, we loved it, and cannot wait to return. Our trip is not over yet though, we fly out of Milan, so we are going there a few days early, and we are suppose to meet our friends, S and P.

     After some texting back and forth, we decided we would jump on a train from Mestri to Bassano Del Grappa, where S and P would pick us up, and spend the day with them. We met them as planned, and we had a great time. I wanna talk about this a little more, so I will dedicate a post to this, so on to Milan.

     Milan will be quick and painless, maybe. Milan was not a disappointment, but, two days was enough for us there. We flew in and out of Milan because of the cheap airfare, and took a train to and from Venice.

Above is the train station in Milan. The trains were relatively inexpensive and fairly easy, so Milan is a great place to fly into. After Venice, we thought a couple of days by ourselves might be nice, so Milan it was.

Our hotel, The Westin Palace, was absolutely perfect. Day did a spectacular job picking this one. The location was good, the price was reasonable, and most important, the water pressure in the shower was great. Who doesn't love a good shower? Or, a good "selfie?"

You might not appreciate the humor here, if I had a nickle for everyone who tried to sell me a "selfie" stick, or for everyone taking "selfies," Day and I would be rich. So of course, anything to amuse myself and challenge Day's patience, I had a "selfie" day. And what "selfie" day would be complete without, a "selfie" in front of the Duomo?

The Duomo, is a big beautiful church. Duomo according to the Oxford English Dictionary is derived from the Latin word "domus," meaning house, as in, house of God.

Now this one is pretty nice, but the Duomo in Florence, Italy, wow!

Sorry Milan, Florence beat ya on this one. The Duomo in Florence, dominates the city, it is huge and beautiful, and the dome is amazing. The real winner of our Milan stop though, was Eataly!

     What is Eataly? The most amazing grocery store ever. Yes you read that correctly, grocery store.

The produce was gorgeous to look at, like art, beautiful edible art.

I love dessert, and these desserts were calling for me.

Your local market should have a good meat selection. This is not the Big Y. Fridays are for fish though...

And lastly, what goes better with dinner than wine.

You have to love bringing in your own bottle, and filling it with wine from a barrel.

     Well that's Milan, and just about the end of our trip. I do wanna write about the friends we had met, affectionately know as S and P, but I want to dedicate a full post to that/them. Meeting with them is why I write this blog, those rare moments that happen on vacation, that stay with you for a lifetime. For now, Ciao!

Venice: Chapter three

     I have much to write, so I am thinking this will not, be my final chapter on Venice, like I had said, at the end of my previous post. Speaking of my previous post, let's chat about that.

     Day wondered, why the word maunder was in bold and italic letters, because it was Merriam Webster's word of the day, duh. Yes, I like words, and I thought that would be a great way to expand my vocabulary. Writing this blog is a spectacular way for me to use my brain, expand my vocabulary, and get much more gooder at expressing myself. There is a link to the Merriam Webster dictionary on my blog, if you need. Day also questioned my use of the phrase, "I could care less." I wrote, I could care less about my age. Understand what I mean is, I do not care about my age, you might think then, the phrase should be, "I couldn't care less," and that is what Day questioned. I had thought the same thing some time ago, I thought everyone was saying it wrong. They are saying it correctly, but may not know why. It is an old British phrase, and it is meant to be sarcastic. It was understood, when you said, "I could care less," you were being sarcastic and meant you could not care less than you do. So, that clears up that. Now, it has been brought to my attention that chapter two, seemed a little personal, good, but personal.

     I feel there is a genius in me, pearls of wisdom in my head, and it is a crime to not share them with the world, or at least the 20 or so people that viewed my last post. My blog, is first and foremost, for me, a chance to write my thoughts down. Maybe I should just write a personal journal then, maybe, but I don't want to. Plus, I have been in a relationship for eighteen years, admitting to going through a rough patch, is not that personal ( I was looking for a metaphor there, but couldn't think of one ). Just another page, another chapter in my life, our life, mine and Day's relationship. I am a little different on vacation. I believe, I am the person I was meant to be, want to be and should be, when I am on vacation. I take time to ponder, to reflect and to be introspective, while on vacation. Day and I take time to enjoy one another and enjoy the moment together. And dare I say, I dream a little easier when, I am on vacation. But now, vacation is over and I am writing this, while sitting on a ferry, waiting to go to work. Why a ferry? You could read my other blog, if you would like. So, I am home from vacation, and there is nothing quite as nice, as coming home. The problem with coming home though, is me.

     Do you remember the song and video by Dexy's Midnight Runners, "Come on Eileen?" In the video, the band is wearing their pants with the legs rolled up, looks a little silly, right? While I was in Portugal last year, it rained almost, everyday. So, I rolled up my pant legs because the bottoms were always wet. I don't care to much about what I look like or what people think of me, and the bottoms of my pants stayed dry. The bonus, it embarrassed the crap out of Day. Now I don't usually roll up my pant legs, but I did in Venice, and again, it embarrassed Day. One night was, dress up night, we had all brought nice clothes to wear to dinner, J and I in our suits, K and Day, their dresses. After dinner, I don't remember why, but J and I held hands, and skipped down the streets of Venice. Child like fun, and, it embarrassed Day. Yes, Day was embarrassed, but I know it warms her heart to see me having fun. I do not skip enough, and sadly, Day does not skip at all. I could use a little more child like fun, when I am not on vacation, couldn't we all?

     It's now Friday morning, I just made the drive to work again. Up at 3:30 in the morning, a hour and a half ride to where I catch the ferry, and a ticket from a state trooper, for rolling through a stop sign, a half hour ferry ride to work. Yes, I got pulled over for rolling through a stop sign. Welcome home!

     I realize this chapter has little to do with Venice, but it does have something to do with vacations. I will wrap up Venice, meeting up with our friends from Tuscany and a little bit about Milan in my next chapter. I would say final chapter , but I do have a tendency to ramble on.

Venice: Chapter two

     I am amused. Imagine yourself in Venice, no map, meandering through the streets and canals feeling a little lost, turning left, then right, looking for that sign that will finally point you in the right direction. It will come, it's hard to get lost in Venice, you will find your way sooner or later. And, we will wander through these next few posts, you may feel lost, every now and again, I take you somewhere you hadn't expected, and surprise you with a photo ( a great view ) and sooner or later, a point and an end, and then, you may begin to understand Venice.

     In my previous post I mused, cappuccino was an event, a chance to sit, relax and enjoy, but, enjoy what? The answer is: enjoy the moment. Enjoy, the moment. This is why I am writing, therapeutic as I write my thoughts, a life lesson learned as I ponder, read along if you would like. Seems like a no-brainer, but how many of us enjoy the moment? If I could do it, I would sleep better, yes?

     I have added a few pictures here, a few chances, a few opportunities for you and I to stop, and enjoy a moment:

Above: around every corner, down every alley and over every canal in Venice, is a chance for a great photo. The great thing about Venice, Venice is the attraction. So, leave your map behind, and maunder about the streets of Venezia.

Above: Day has been practicing her Italian, for two months now, in preparation for our trip. As we walked the neighborhood of Murano ( famous for glass blowing ) we came across this canal. The sun was shining, reflections of the buildings, and add in the laundry, and we have an interesting photo, no? I wasn't the only one who thought so, three or four other people were taking the same picture. The amusing part of the story is, as myself and a handful of others were taking these pictures, Day had overheard a couple of locals, calling us crazy, crazy for taking pictures of laundry hanging on a line.

Above: the famed Grand Canal, from the Rialto Bridge, at, 5:30 in the morning. I have plenty more photos of the Rialto and the Grand Canal, but as usual, I have gotten off track. Cappuccino, an event, a chance to, enjoy the moment, never lost in Venice...

     I have now received my second application for AARP, in as many months. No, I am not at all concerned about turning 50, I could care less about my age, my life has only gotten better over the years. My body is not as enthusiastic as I am though, years of construction has taken its toll. My back is always sore, my knees hurt, but with any luck, my wife and I are doing all the right things, to enjoy an early retirement. "My wife and I," *smile* we have now been together almost, eighteen years and married for almost ten. You do not make it eighteen years without some bumps in the road, and, 2014 was a bumpy road for Day and I. Right now, if you are reading this, I imagine you are one of two kinds of people; if you are smirking, and nodding your head, you are in a long term, committed relationship, ten, twenty, thirty or more years, and understand, if it is meant to be forever, it is going to take hard work, and the only option, is to work through it. As I had said in the beginning of my post, I began writing this on the train. I took this picture at the station.

How long, how many decades have these two cared for, fought with and loved one another? Can we stand the test of time, only time will tell.

Second, if the idea of Day and I having a rough year is worrisome to you, well understand, relationships are hard, and they should be. John Lennon was wrong, love is not, all you need. He left out, patience, understanding, the ability to communicate, comprise and forgive. Oh, and the learned art of, selective hearing, also the ability to appear to be listening, when in fact you are, well, doing most anything else. For those of you who are young, and think you are in love, it takes years to learn to love one another, and it was Nazareth, who was closer to the truth with, "Love Hurts."

     What does all this mean? I am in Venice, Italy, enjoy, the moment. Luckily, there is plenty to enjoy in Venice, and Day and I took every opportunity to stop, enjoy the moment, and one another. Something maybe, we don't do often enough. Yesterday is the past, tomorrow has not come yet, we have only today, this moment to get it right. Learning that takes time, patience and experience.

A picture of fruits and vegetables?  I like taking pictures, finding an interesting shot, this was taken at the local open air market, go north over the Rialto, and head NE. I liked the colors, and wanted to see how it photographed.

I also love food, I enjoy food, good food. But, do I sit, and enjoy the moment, the hour with my wife, at the dinner table, when we are out with friends or by ourselves at a restaurant, or am I stuck on yesterday or tomorrow?

We did a tour, usually I am not a big fan of tours, they are, so touristy. We like to think we are not your average tourist, but I suppose we are. Anyhow, I liked this tour, the guide was great. She gave us some great background and history on Venice. So, for a couple of hours, I, was lost in the moment.

Here is a question: how often do you, enjoy your spouse? I don't mean love, I mean, enjoy each other, enjoy his or her company. Sometimes I realize, I truly enjoy spending time with Day. I think it comes as a surprise, because we don't do it often enough. We work, we mow the lawn, clean the house, on and on and on, you know the routine. Days go by, then weeks, months, and before you know it, the year is over.

It's easy to enjoy one another when on vacation, but now vacation is almost over, and we still need to learn to take time to enjoy one another, or enjoy a moment, or, just enjoy today, like the Dalia Lama had said. I am finishing this post from Milan, the morning of our departure. I will write one more chapter about our Venice trip, from home.