Hi everyone it took me this long to figure out the hotel has a wifi. Vs paying 1.5 euro for 30 minute. Anyway, I am staying at hotel la meridiana in lido. When I first booked it i was afraid I would be away from things, but this is much more a local place vs touristy Venice. I arrived at Marco polo airport Friday and took the waterbus to lido (13eu). Walked with my backpack the long way but finally arrived and am delighted with how charming the place is. showered and headed out to see lido and get some food. Lots of families, lots of dogs on leashes. Had a gelato first off, something creamy and delicious (1 eu), later a creamy ravioli.(9eu). Many calories, so sorry, Lynn(my trainer). Not!

Slept and woke, slept and woke ( getting my body clock adjusted) Saturday morning, grabbed a couple croissants, apple and blackberries , and a delicioso cappuchino from different stores, then headed to the Waterbus for
Venice. It was a rainy day, so decided to stay on boat and cruise up and down the Grand Canal whilst listening to my Rick Steves podcast and enjoy being dry temporarily. Finally got off at San Marco square and listened to more of Rick during my visit to the church. Three hours later, with weather hazy, I spent too much just to sit down in the square and people watch. Another cafe, sandwich and gelato later, I am wandering the streets and getting lots of photos. Finally I returned to the waterbus to head back to Lido. Although desperate to use a wc, I decided to get supper first. Great discovery - a 1/4 caraffe of wine makes your feet not hurt! But your bladder does, so I rushed back to hotel for another long shower and rest.

Sunday am had a nice leisurely breakfast at hotel and since discovering wifi, catching up with email and this blog. With any luck, I can post some photos as well, and also
plan my next move. I'm to check out tomrrow and am thinking of heading toward Milan. But not sure I want to do another city just yet. Anyway, not going to push myself today.

Monday October 12

Venice(STILL)

Im at the internet cafe trying to upload photos so i dont have to use the stock photos that come with this website. its been frustrating trying to write this blog while thumb texting on my little itouch. i lost a lot of what i wrote in the sending so my spontaneity will suffer and grammar and puctuation. cant find the parenthese so read it as best you can.also shift key is broken so either all caps or no caps.

yesterday was a lazy day for me. i stayed in lido and didnt go into venice. it was brilliant blue skies and pleasantly warm. i sat at an outdoor cafe and had my first pizza - 4 cheese - delicious! another 1/4 caraffe of wine (my back was hurting) and i sat and people watched.

some observations so far:

straight men can wear pink here and still look macho!

Italians love their families and their dogs. lots of strollers and dogs on leashes as families took their stroll a little earlier than during the week.

On lido anyway, more bicycles than vespas.

i visited the beach at lido yesterday. the east side of the island faces the Adriatic and gets a lot of visitors and judging by the mansions on that side of the island, a lot of wealthy vacationers. families brought their dogs and kids again and let them frolic in the water. kids were stripped down to their underwear, then dried off and redressed when they were done.

today is another rainy day in venice, cold and overcast. im thinking i want to head someplace warm instead of to milan, so i was checking out the train station today to see about a ticket to florence. more on that when i get another crack at the internet.

signing off now so i can do some research while i stil have minutes left!

ciao!

jeanne