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When  last left, we had been dumped on the street in front of our door armed with the secret password “Fausto”.  A waiter took pity on us and asked if he could help.  We said “Yes, Fausto”.  He replied “Oh yes, Fausto, I will call – sit”. Eventually, we saw Fausto hurrying down the street armed with keys and papers.  Debbie spotted him first and believe her first words were ” Here we go”.  He gave us about a 30 minute introduction and instructions to the flat.  He said that we were such nice people that he didn’t need a deposit.

The flat is close to Vatican City  and just too mind boggling for one person to describe.  So, we have asked our guests to describe some of their favorite features in an interview format.

Moderator:  Could you tell me what first struck you about the apartment?

Debbie:  Well, I especially like the extra security feature of the front door of the apartment building.  If someone over 5 ft 6 in is chasing you and you run through the door, they will hit their head on the door and knock themselves out.  (Jerry has tested the head hitting theory – he was just walking not running so did not pass out)

Debbie:  Oh, here is another one.  I like that it is family friendly.  It is right across from an Italian elementary school filled with children that have never heard of quiet time or the quiet game.  They certainly have some healthy lungs and sure can shout loudly.

Moderator:  That is enough from you Debbie, let someone else talk for awhile.

Larry:  This never happens…. We have 15 Italian electrical outlets in our flat and only  2 international converter plugs!  One of which is being used for the fire stick (Larry wanted to put this in so you would know that he got the TV working).  Every outlet is ready to go.  This is fantastic.

Joyce:  I have one.  There are such cute little knick knacks sitting everywhere. (Note to self:  Remember this for Joyce’s Christmas gift)

Moderator:  Let’s talk about the bathroom facilities:

Jerry:  I would like to weigh in on that one.  My favorite thing is the cozy little bathroom.  It is so small when I close the accordion door that I can’t pull my pants up without opening the door again.

Moderator:  Debbie, I heard that you were banned from the small bathroom’s shower.  Is this correct?

Debbie:  Well yes, I do have a history of flooding bathrooms across three continents.  (North America, Europe and Africa).  There was the belief that I might be an accident waiting to happen.  I do enjoy staring directly at the kitty cat shower curtain when I visit the small bathroom especially since the shower that I use has no shower curtain.  Larry, do you want to tell them about the special skill that you have developed in the shower?

Larry:  Yes, since there is no shower curtain, I have determined how to use less water, reduce my shower time and shower by body segments.  I am also quite taken with the bidet.  (Debbie has said NO!)

Debbie:  I am not finished with the bathroom.  I have also developed a special talent of taking a bath with no plug.  I take one of the nice plastic flowers and stick it over the plug and keep my heel in the middle of the plug.  (Don’t use the one covering the rust spot)

Moderator:  Joyce let’s talk about your favorite feature, the “Red Button”.

There is no meaning to a person making love when the erections that happen between the two of them. buying online viagra viagra price pop over to this page Folic acid is rich in vitamins and minerals. Prevent Health Disorders Prevention is the key to staying healthy viagra super and having increased power. This checks down the states of ED or impotency for accomplishing or keeping up men’s erection until the peak is achieved. cialis prescription http://www.unica-web.com/archive/2011/hana%20jusic.pdf Joyce: Absolutely, I would love to talk about the red button.  In any room that uses water, you must push the red button to get water for 1 hour.  This includes a button in the kitchen and one in each bathroom.

Moderator:  Wait, I don’t understand.  Has this ever happened to anyone?  Why would Fausto do this?

Joyce:  As best we can determine, there was a flood at some time.  Once this was done, Fausto put these in as a fail safe.  Yes, Debbie has had the water stop running on her a couple of times.  This means she has to stop what she is doing and go push the red button.  (We are working with Debbie on her vocabulary   along with tone of voice when this happens.  There are children across the way that might hear some inappropriate comments).

Moderator:  So there is no washing machine?

Debbie:  Well, no not exactly.  Fausto has arranged for us to take our laundry to a laundromat to have it done.  However, he has left 3 washers in the flat to use as work tables.

Jerry:  I’d like to get in on that comment.  We have also enjoyed hand washing some items and drying them in the windows so that the Italian children have an opportunity to see American socks.  We like to think of it as a cultural exchange.

Moderator:  Larry, I know how much you like your A/C, how is that working out for you?

Larry:  Good, good.  We have portable units in each room.  While I have not experienced any real issues, I have managed to get some good repair time in on Jerry’s unit and have set up a maintenance program.

Joyce:  Yes, since Larry started his A/C maintenance service we have not had to clean up the water on the floor.

Debbie:  Don’t forget the entertainment center in Joyce and Jerry’s room.

Joyce:  Yes, we have turned the beds into an entertainment room since we have the only TV in our room.  Jerry, Larry and I all have beds.  We just make Debbie sit on the end of Larry’s station.  (She is not always gracious about this).

Moderator:  Thanks to our panel.  I think that you have given our readers a good overview of the flat.  I couldn’t have done it better myself.

On an end of day note, the guests were treated to a Chinese dinner which made some guests happier than others.  We mentioned Fausto’s name as instructed and the waitress said that she had never heard of him.

Travel day dawned with high hopes and anxiety.   Everyone was concerned about riding the water bus with commuters and luggage.  (Debbie said that she didn’t know that Greg and Don could get up that early).  So everyone allowed plenty of time.  Greg and Don to the airport (See the new blog contributor) and the remaining four to the rail station with few issues. (Commuters, don’t like to get up that early either).

We think that Italia has an interesting philosophy.  Let’s follow a real life sequence of events for our 9 A.M. train from Venice to Rome.

8:30 – Don’t worry your platform will appear at 8:45 (This to all the Americans huddled in the Italia waiting room looking for anyone that spoke English and afraid to go out in the actual train station.)

8:50 – Will the train come soon?  Yes (Idiot Americans)

8:58 –  Is the train late? No, it is on time (Just thinking, that the train is supposed to pull out at 9:00 sooooooooo that means you have to announce it, load it, start the train in 2 minutes).

9:00 – Where is the train?  It is not late.  It is on time.

9:05 – The train is here on track 7 but it is not late.

The arrival of the train was followed by a mad rush to get on the train with luggage by everyone on the train.  It was a cut throat affair.  Larry quacked at different people several times and Debbie shouted out “Scusi” (She thinks that is Italia to cut someone off).  We were in the very last car and had scored a table.  At 9:15, the 9:00 on time train pulled out of the station on time.

Everyone had counted on sleeping on the train.  Originally, this did not work out as anticipated.  Across from our table, sat a college student that liked to talk  loudly to the American family (actually anyone) sitting at the table with her.  (Debbie is sorry that she is having trouble with her Spanish boyfriend, will have trouble getting a job in art security, and thinks that young people could save all of Italy from it’s problems if the old people would just give up their jobs.  Debbie is even sorrier that you had to retell these issues to the Spanish family that sat down next. )

We think there is pictorial truth as to what happened on the train.  Debbie and Larry partied for awhile and then even Larry also rested his eyes.  (You should probably not go to sleep on a train with Debbie.  She has some worse pictures than those.)

We arrived at the Rome station on time (Not really) but we did get up to 300 KM per hour.  It was very smooth.   The train station was a mad house.  It took awhile to get situated inside and then we took the madhouse out of doors.  Joyce called the flat owner, Fausto, to call a taxi for us.  Here was her report of the phone conversation.  “I have no idea what he said.  I can’t understand anything he says.  Someone else is going to have to talk to him.  I think a taxi is coming”.  (Larry, Jerry and Debbie refused to make eye contact in hopes that they would not be enlisted for the next call).  We finally decided to cross the street and wait for the taxi thus ensuing the first game of Italian Frogger. (This is the game when you try to cross the street,  no one stops  but tries to hit you).  Joyce stood with a sign saying “Fausto” on the edge of the street until Larry took over sign duty.  Fausto kept texting mysterious messages such as 3570 or 50 Sierra, a white cab (We never saw any cab not white).  “Tell them Fausto for the good price”.

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We all yelled back “Fausto, Fausto, Get in the cab”.

Joyce yelled back “We won’t fit!”.

We yelled back.  “Yes, we do.  Fausto.  Get in the cab!”  (More horns honking)

And then we were all in the taxi and Joyce said “Oh, well I guess we do fit!”

We are happy to report that the cab ride was only 20 Euro.  Fausto delivered.

Thus began our Roman adventure.

We are saving the Rome apartment description for our next blog.  It deserves it’s own blog.  You won’t be disappointed.

We are lucky to have a guest editor reporting on  Greg and Don’s trip to Greece.  They have proceeded the Italian 4 to Greece.  Please welcome “The Greek Boys”!

********************************************************

The Boys, try as they might, couldn’t compete with Les Cheap Girls and ventured off on their own to the Greek Isle of Santorini.

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The last day in Venice began with what else?  Another church.  We took the water taxi to the Isle of San Giorgio Maggiore to see the Basilica of San Girogio Maggiore.  It is the big church that can be seen across the water from Venice.  Here is a question that we know may have been bothering you.  What is the difference between a cathedral and a basilica?  A cathedral is the proper term for a church that is home to a bishop. A basilica may refer to anything from a church’s architecture to its importance to the pope, depending on its type.

We saw the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore.  It is a 16th-century Benedictine church  built between 1566 and 1610. The church is a basilica in the classical renaissance style.  We don’t really understand why it is a basilica even with the definition.  We did know that it is a nice church and very open.  Greg and Don went to the top of the Basilica but didn’t tell the others until they came down so it was unconfirmed.  It did violate some Les Cheap Girls rules.  (1) They paid and (2) rode an elevator.  (Debbie and Joyce don’t really think it counts if you take an elevator.

Since we were on the island, we decided to see other island hot spots.  Turns out that there were not a lot of them.  There was a special exhibit of the work by Paolo Venini, a famous Murano artist.  It met the Les Cheap Girls requirement of being free with the added incentive of being interesting.  (Greg would probably have been invited into Paolo’s back room – Les Cheap Girls would not).

We then went on a search for a Japanese tea house.   We wandered around into several dead ends before finding the tea house.  Debbie read about the tea house but can’t really explain what she read so here is her interpretation.  (Debbie’s Tour:  You go in this tea house  and you feel good about it.  Mostly you feel good about it because you found the tea house.   Only 2 can go in at a time but 30 can watch you. )

Now that we had looked at everything on the island, we went  back to Venice for lunch and the afternoon.  Joyce, Larry and Greg were extremely excited about the seafood special but only Greg picked seafood special. Every time one of Greg’s courses was served (Yes, they had a lunch with courses. ) Joyce and Larry looked sadly at Greg’s meal.  (Greg did not help the matter by smacking his lips and saying “It is so delicious).   They chose veal with tuna sauce (What happened to seafood, seafood, I love seafood?) .

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The final stop was the Museum of Natural Science.  We all enjoyed the museum better than the Museo di Pallazo Mocenigo.

We returned home and tried to eat all the food left in the flat accompanied by frantic packing for an early morning departure.

We haven’t really written much about the Venice flat.  It was very nice and  thought that we would provide a little more detail

On the Plus Side

1. No Stairs
2. Two real bathrooms where everything is together.  (IE. A toilet in the same room as the sink)
3. Far from the personal space invading horde
4. Twenty minute walk from St. Mark’s.
5. Five minute walk from the Vaporetta stop
6. Awesome drying rack for clothes
7. Close to markets and restaurants

There are as always some interesting challenges in adjusting to European life.

On the Minus Side

1. The anxiety inducing combined washer/dryer. While the Italian model is a step up from the Parisian model as it will open, it does have some issues.  It will allow one to wash and stop.  It is quite adamant that one can’t wash without drying.  If you try this, it gets all up in your face and washes the clothes again.  A total wash/dry cycle is 4 hours long.
2. People walk along the path outside your room and talk really loud.  It is like they have to touch your house to turn the corner.  (Debbie doesn’t understand why they can’t walk in the middle of the street there are no cars).  They talk really loudly all the time.  This goes on all night.

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3. The lady upstairs from Joyce cranks her clothesline in about 6 every morning and then cranks it back out with new clothes.  (Joyce finds this annoying)
4. Roulette Showers – While the hot water was high in temperature, you never knew how long it was going to last.  All of our participants had at least one shower than turned cold mid shower.  This can be especially annoying if one is covered in soap.  One can either stand there and wait it out or take the icy plunge.
5.   AND LAST but NOT LEAST – Mosquitoes.  

We had left the windows open because everyone else did.  We practiced opening windows sideways and from the top. We were ready.  The first day Debbie noticed that her arm itched.  That night a mosquito dive-bombed her kindle. (A clue perhaps?) The second day Debbie noticed that her arm and back were on fire when she got up.  After a mirror and some investigative work, she counted 17 bites (No, haters it was not bed bugs).  She knew it was more that one mosquito because if it was only one then that mosquito would be the size of a tennis ball and too heavy to fly.    Some of the others also confessed to bites.  After returning home for the day, the entire group went on a mosquito hunt.

First windows closed, everyone locked and loaded.  People conducted a room to room search for those bloodsuckers.  Everyone developed their own style.  Joyce was a spotter,  Larry popped with a towel, Greg, Jerry and Don were chair specialist.  Debbie clapped them in the air.  (Yes, she really did kill some with her hands. ) All together at least 15 kills were reported by the group.  Debbie did get a little intense about it constantly searching the walls and turning on lights in the middle of the night.  In fairness to Debbie, she did seem to be the most popular entree on the  5 star mosquito menu.  (She was worried that there was a trip advisor for mosquitos and she was in it.)

Once the mosquito population was brought under control, the group would recommend the flat.  Our current rankings are:

1.  Venice
2. Paris

Don was not feeling well on this day and decided to stay at the flat.  Greg ventured out with everyone to see the market and visit the shops.

First the group visited the market and the butcher’s shop.  Joyce had  selected some tasty looking sausage and was trying to decide how much to buy.  Debbie agreed that it looked good but wanted to check one thing (After all Debbie did read the tour book yesterday).  Debbie checked the name of the shop and ran back in waving at Joyce to get out of line.  They were definitely in the wrong shop. They slowly backed out of the shop waving and nodding to scurry down the street and far away.  Look at the pictures and see if you can determine the issue.  (You know it is not like the horse head was obvious or anything).

After that butcher incident, the group decided to buy lunch.  After cruising the prepared aisle, they ate lunch at 11:00.  (This was early for Debbie.  She has personal knowledge that kindergartners eat at 10:30 and feels soon she may be forced to eat with kindergartners).  Greg purchased pizza for himself and Don.  (Don, he left with 2 pieces for you.  We are doubtful that 2 made it back).

We want to keep our readers up with the church visits and several were visited today.  Greg opted out of the church hunt with the excuse that he was taking Don lunch and checking on him.  The others received a text about an hour later that Don needed some beach time to help his recovery and that they were going to the beach.

The additional visits today included:

• Chiesa di San Giacomo dell’Orio Church  – History Moment: They don’t know where it go the name and it is old. (Debbie provided the history moment – she had tour guide withdrawal issues)  It was founded in the 9th century and rebuilt in 1225.
• San Stae History Moment -An abbreviation for Saint Eustachius was founded at the beginning of the 11th century and reconstructed in the 17th century, and has a main facade (1709) on the Grand Canal of Venice. (Debbie’s tour – there are all sorts of art things and the tomb of a guy that gave lots of money but they put skeletons on his tombstone.  That just doesn’t seem right)
• Casa di Carlo Goldoni  – Playwright Carlo Goldoni was born in this Venetian Gothic casa in 1707.  The collection contains manuscripts, paintings, and objects relating to Goldoni. A visit here gives you the chance  experience a more modest home. (Debbie Tour:  We don’t know if we went here or not but think so – It is about a theater guy and there are scenes of his plays and puppets).
• Gelato Break – We got really tired from all the cultural stuff (Readers have asked for more food shots)
• Ca’ Rezzonico is a palazzo on the Grand Canal. It is a public museum dedicated to 18th-century Venice (Debbie Tour – Full of stuff and costumes.  Don’t ask her about it. )

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Greg and Don were back from the beach by the time that the others returned.  (Has anyone else ever heard of “Beach Time” as a medicinal cure?  The others were suspicious of this action.  They believe that they were dumped.)

The goal today was to visit Frari’s Church.  The group started out at St. Mark’s square to follow Rick Steve’s walk.  Joyce turned to Debbie handed her the book and said “You get to figure out where we are going today”.  Debbie was ready this time (After some furious reading of the tour book in St. Mark’s square).  She whipped the book up in the air, told the group to line up, counted her group, and marched them off.  (Debbie had been exposed to too many tour groups in Venice.  Joyce might have made a serious mistake).

Some of the sights that the fabulous tour guide led them to where the following:

• The Chiesa di San Moisè is a Baroque style, Roman Catholic church in Venice.  (Debbie’s tour – this is a real old church)
• Exterior Stair Case – This is an example of exterior staircases connected to villas (Debbie’s tour:  We could walk up those but it is closed.  I am not sure all you people could make it to the top and the ambulance is a boat.)
• History Moment:  Rialto Bridge – The current structure was built in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Grand Canal at various times since the 12th Century.  Shops line the bridge and walkway. (Debbie’s tour:  This is a real old bridge with lots of shops.  I hope you have money to spend because Les Cheap Girls spent all their money yesterday.  By the way, the tour guide takes tips).
• History Moment – San Giacomo di Rialto  is the oldest church in the city, supposedly consecrated in the year 421.  (Debbie’s tour – this church is really, really old and has a musical display)

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While the tour guide told her group to take a break, Don and Greg disappeared.  It was reported by another tour member (Larry) that they had left to drink some wine before continuing on to Friar church.  Debbie was quite concerned that people needed a drink to complete the tour.  The group that stayed with the tour guide proceeded to a square to wait for Greg and Don.  Larry and Jerry made friends wit the locals while waiting (See picture).  Turned out, Don was at the pharmacy waiting in line for his consultation with the pharmacist.  Once the tour guide had her group back together, they proceeded to the Frari Church.

History Moment:  The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually just called the Frari. One of the greatest churches in the city, it has the status of a minor basilica.  The church is dedicated to the Assumption. As with many Venetian churches, the exterior is rather plain. (Debbie’s tour:  I like this church and it let’s you take pictures).

After the Frari, the tour guide had arranged a concert for the group at Scuola Grande di San Rocco (Tour group, A mistake was made, it was not a church after all).   The group began the concert but everyone had bailed by the end of the 2nd song.  (The tour guide had to give the stink-eye to Greg and Don for making noise.  They may not remember this).

After the concert, the others made their way back home, they were thrilled with the tour and gave Debbie’s 5’s on Trip advisor. (Debbie just made that up.  She did after all lose part of the tour group.  However, she is still waiting for her tips.)

After a brief rest, the group was off to visit the Doge Palace at night.  Once again, hats off to Joyce for signing the group up for this.  No crowds to contend with and fewer selfie sticks at night.  Unfortunately, Greg and Don could not get into the Doge.  Their tickets were rejected.  (Special note: The others went on the tour but Don & Greg, we stand united with you.  Just ignore the comment about how great the Doge was at night.  It was really not that great…)

The group got an early start to Murano.  It was foggy and not very crowded when we arrived.  Cultural Moment:  Murano glass is made on the  island of Murano.  Murano’s glassmakers led Europe for centuries, developing or refining many technologies including crystalline glass, enamelled glass, glass with threads of gold,  multicolored glass, milk glass, and imitation gemstones made of glass. Today, the artisans of Murano are still employing these centuries-old techniques, crafting everything from contemporary art glass and glass figurines to Murano glass chandeliers and wine stoppers, as well as tourist souvenirs.  (And Debbie and Joyce looked at them all).

After landing, the group visited a free glass blowing demonstration.  After this point, Les Cheap Girls discovered all the shops.   There are many, many shops in Murano and each a little different.  Each a potential bargain.  Greg also threw himself into the shopping but he can never be a Les Cheap Girl.  Greg was invited into the backrooms only accessible by personal invitation with very expensive glassware.  He was introduced to the owner and artist.  (Debbie and Joyce were not invited and once Joyce was asked why she was going up the stairs after Greg. Clearly, Greg is not Les Cheap Girls material).  They visited stores all day with a break for lunch.  Larry and Jerry decided to leave in the afternoon to take an extended vaporetti ride around the islands.  (Remember how we mentioned that you need to know the correct route number well, they didn’t.  Let’s call it Jerry and Larry’s excellent adveture).  By late afternoon,  still no major purchases by Joyce and Debbie.  (Greg had purchased something 5 minutes after the boat landed.  Don’t deny it Greg, you  know that you did).  At 3:45, Joyce called time and said that it was time to purchase before the stores closed.  The two split up and completed purchases by 4:15.  Done – hands in the air – Done – Les Cheap Girls Gone Wild purchasing.

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The group started their day at the Musco Archeologico Nazionale.  Culture Moment:  It holds a collection of ancient sculptures, including Greek originals, bronzes, ceramics, gems and coins in addition to the archaeological collection on loan  which includes Egyptian and Assyrian-Babylonian antiquities.  The museum is part of St. Mark’s square.  Official name of the square is Piazza San Marco.

On a side note, St. Mark’s Square  has hordes of people.  Everyday cruise ships dock and dump people into the square to see St. Mark’s.    Most of our group has tried to stay away from the square.  If you have a dream of sitting on an Italian Square, St. Mark’s intends to answer that dream.  People were playing the violin and piano at 9 in the morning so that you could drink coffee on the square watching  people.  There are pigeons so fat from all the feeding that they don’t  fly anymore.  There are vendors to sell all kinds of things.

At 11:00, Joyce lined everyone up and marched them through St. Mark’s square for the “Skip the Line” tour of St. Mark’s Basilica.  (Excellent value for 2 euro) We marched by all the people standing in line.  (It was awesome).  Then they turned the lights on inside (They don’t keep the Basilica lit all day)  and Joyce lined us up for the free (yes free) English tour.

Since no pictures, Longer History Moment:  The story goes that Mark, one the four Evangelists together with Luke, Mathew and John, was given the task of writing his Gospel by Peter himself and did so in Rome.  Venetian merchants often stopped at Alexandria to pray on the Saint Mark’s tomb. In 828 A.D., two Venetian merchants stole Saint Mark’s remains and brought them back to Venice by ship, after hiding them in a chest full of vegetables and pork to avoid strict Muslim control. When the saint’s body reached Venice it was welcomed in triumph and the Doge had a new church built as his tomb.  Owning a saint’s remains meant great earnings for a city. Veneration, at times of just a few bones, meant increased trade and cultural exchange. Furthermore, there are twelve Apostles, but only four Evangelists. Owning the entire body of one of them was an exceptional fact for Venice.

The English tour told the group interesting facts but once complete, they were free to complete the tour.  The free entry  line went something like this, get in line, shuffle in a counter clockwise direction through the church with an opportunity to purchase special admission and then exit.   Evidently, the group does not do well on their own.  Once released, they tried to go in the exit and into an area where a door had been left open.  The attendant was chasing them through the church (maybe he called it fast walking),  yelling “No, No, No” and clapping his hands at them.  (People should be more careful about leaving doors open).  It is an outstanding church but the group would have been disappointed if they had only done the St. Mark Shuffle.  Joyce did an outstanding job arranging the tour.

In our opinion, there are way too many people invading people’s personal space at St. Mark’s.  It makes Larry quack like a duck (Did we mention the quacking phenomena?) and Debbie photo bomb.  Jerry remains stoic and Joyce sometimes has been known to strongly suggest people move (We think that she might be Italian).  Greg and Don just have more wine.

These two herbal pills improve energy levels of your reproductive prices viagra generic organs. This will order cheap levitra help them to gauge the concerns of the millions of the ED patients. In Diabetes the body loses generico levitra on line check content the control to regulate the amount of sugar in our blood. This shall be outdated since you will choose the mode of payment tadalafil 25mg you wish. Some of the group decided that it would be a good church day since we had already been to St. Mark’s.  Others were not as impressed but she who has directions triumphs.  As you can tell from pictures, there was lots of walking involved through narrow streets.  (Some might even say that the group was lost at times.  Debbie and Joyce say that they got there didn’t they?). The church tour included the following:

San Maria Della Salute – Guarding the entrance to the Grand Canal, this 17th-century domed church was commissioned by Venice’s plague survivors as thanks for salvation.

Santa Maria del Rosario (Gesuati) – The church of Gesuati, the biggest convent complex of the XVIII century in Venice, was built between 1726 and 1735 for the Dominicans, to replace the church alongside that had become too small for the faithful.

At the end of the day, we were all happy to ride the water bus even if it did whack the dock.

On our first full day in Venice, Larry woke up with a sore throat and decided to bypass the morning.  He sent Debbie off with instructions to not come back without sore throat medicine.

The rest of the group proceeded to the Palazzo Ducale.  History Moment: What is a Doge?  (No, it is not a dog). The title “doge” was the title of the senior-most elected official of Venice.  Venice was a maritime empire.  It seems to have been a big deal to be the doge.  A Doge was elected for life and got to wear a nice red cape in all the pictures.  He was the head but had no real power.  He had to live in the Palazzo Ducale and couldn’t leave Venice.  A Grand Chancellor was also elected from the middle class to oversee the secrets of the Council.  To make sure the Grand Chancellor didn’t sell the secrets, he was paid $700,000 a year as a salary.  (No one could afford to buy a secret so basically was paid to be honest).

The group took the The Secret Itinerary tour through the Palace which covers the rooms and chambers where the delicate work of some of the most important bodies in the Venetian administration was carried out.  (Remember that Grand Chancellor?).  Turns out the Grand Chancellor and his staff had dumpy rooms.  The nobles had fancy rooms to work in while the middle class did not.  The tour included the prison (Debbie was not impressed), the bridge of sighs (You sigh as you go to prison, and Casanova’s jail cell).  Basically, you knew about those rooms if you were going to jail or worked in the “No heat or no cooling” part of the building.

The next concern was lunch.  We were all very stressed as we got into the maze of shops behind St. Mark’s square.  Joyce had one friend that got lost and couldn’t get out for 4 hours.  With the groups tendency to get lost, you realize that this could be a problem.  We were on the hunt for “Aldo’s Take Out Pasta”  We found the street and were searching.  Joyce asked in a shop for Aldo’s.  The lady yelled down the street “Hey Aldo someone is looking for you”.

A man standing in his doorway yelled back “Who is looking for me?”

Joyce yelled back “I am”.  Thus we were committed to Take Out Pasta.  You pick the sauce and noodles.  (Actually, Aldo picks out the noodles for you.  You can ask for a certain noodle but Aldo will tell you what type of noodle that you should actually have.  Only Jerry was brave enough to override Aldo on noodle selection.  Jerry swears that his choice was better but we have our doubts).  We got noodles to go for our “Man Down” to deliver with  pharmacy goods.

Debbie was in a quandary as to how to communicate sore throat to the pharmacist.  She envisioned pantomiming a sore throat.  At the pharmacy, she discovered that everyone must queue for consultation with the pharmacist.  (No, you can’t just find it and pick it up).  She stood in line behind a lady with her dog until her turn.  Debbie whipped out her handy phone and showed him “medicina mal di gola? (Sore throat medicine? Are you impressed are what?  Larry was not as impressed with Debbie’s ingenuity as she thought he should have been).   With a lot of head nodding, the decision  came down to spray or suck?  Debbie took the easy road and decided both but had to convince the pharmacist that is was okay to have both.  She finally just said “My husband” and shrugged.  He said “Oh, okay” and sold both to her.  At first, Larry was not really impressed  but now is talking about moving to Venice for the special throat spray.  (He really liked the flip up spray nozzle and might show it to you if you ask.)

Larry was able to venture out in the afternoon and the group took a tour of the Grand Canal.  (Debbie said it was all possible because of the wonderful medicine from the pharmacy.  Larry rolled his eyes.)