Summer Of Yes

The ticket guy was mystified.

"One ticket to Venice" I said in something like Italian.

"Ok"

"What time does it depart?"

"9:03"

"There is one at 8:33, no?"

"Yes. It stops at all stations."

"Both trains arrive Venice at the same time?"

"Si"

"The slow train, please."

[He looks at me over his glasses] "okaaaaay" (you crazy foreigner)

I figure I might as well enjoy the views vs. sitting at the station. And it saved me 20€.
And they arrive within 5 minutes of each other.En savoir plus

After the Basilica tour I meandered until I saw a handful of happy gondoliers grabbing food and drink at a tiny little cafe, perfetto!
I'm sure that truly excellent cuisine was available nearby at a steep premium, but I was in the mood to try something more blue-collar, or in this case: horizontally striped tshirt collar.

The lady behind the counter was friendly and happily conversed with me in my tragic Italian as well as fluent Spanish and English. I overheard her speaking French with someone else. She makes good, quick/easy sandwiches and sells draft beer and while it was still priced high for what it was, it was tasty and affordable and I didn't overeat (for once in this country).

The best part was watching the gondoliers banter and laugh and play. Happiness is infectious.

Without an agenda I set off again to get lost, and meandered upon a little tour office selling gondola rides for under 30€. I got a little more info and was told it would be a 50 minute tour with a 20-min walking portion before the boat. Ok!

While the 'tour' turned out to be much less than 20 min and pretty much just walking to the gondolas, it was still a great decision. First: because I got to ride in a gondola! In Venice! In Summertime!

We floated through canals, some nearly deserted, some the heavily trafficked Gran Canal, with no roads in sight occasionally. We saw and heard other gondolas pass by with guitar or accordion music.

It was brief but delightful.

Secondly: while waiting for the 'tour' to begin I had the pleasure of meeting Noy, from Tel Aviv and enjoyed her company for the next few hours as we learned about each other and our travels and perspectives. I've been very happy to travel alone, but it's undeniably a richer experience when we get to look through someone else's eyes. Also... "Wow! Look at that!" Just means more when you aren't just talking to yourself. Even getting pooped upon by a seagull is a whole lot funnier when someone else laughs with you, trust me.

Case in point: I told Noy about the happy gondoliers as evidence that the job must be pretty pleasant. She laughed herself and said: "...or they're just Italian and enjoy life." Wise words and a good reminder.

Noy and I opted to meander together for a bit, getting a little lost in the crooked alleys, until we found a cute cafe to grab a drink and rest in the shade for a spell.

Like the too-brief gondola ride, our shared experience was cut short by my 7pm train ticket. We hustled through town, took a few more pictures, and hugged our goodbyes. I'd have loved to grab dinner (we share a food fascination) but alas, not this time.

The train spit me out into Vicenza and a downpour. To my delight, Francesca was there to drive me back to the house where she, Alberto, and I did enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal with an excellent wine produced by some relatives of theirs - I forget the exact relation. Makes me want to do more wine-tasting around here; Next time.

As is the theme of this entry.... All of it was just not-enough! I want more time with every aspect of the day and with everybody. Which, I suppose is the mark of a very good day.En savoir plus