Stranded in Venice, Italy Part 8

Coming back to Venezia/St. Lucia, I felt as if we were coming home. We didn’t expect to be gone so long. It was near 6pm. As we walked into our hotel the desk person stopped us, “Madame, 222?” They know us by our room number.

“If you wouldn’t mind, we would like to put you in a room on the canal side. There is a problem with your room.” An Upgrade! Sure!

We were to dial 9 for assistance to move our things. We packed fast. Two assistants came and one said, “Ah. Veery nice room on canal.” It is pretty, blue damask on the walls. All rooms have a chandelier. A tub! The view is down on the sidewalk and across the canal. A nice perk.

Later noticed our former wing was closed off with a drape.  I never heard what the problem was but we were upgraded, “for our trouble to have to move.”

As we packed I saw a card that had been covered by our things. It had internet information for a cable hookup. The concierge had told me we had to go to the internet café. I guess I didn’t specifically say I had a computer. So I took my computer down and asked about the cord. It’s RIGHT UNDER THE TV ALL THIS TIME. Now, my sons would have known that but I have never used a computer in any hotel room at home. How would I know? DUH!

This is one of the dumb things I did on this trip. But there was one dumber. More about that later.

I thought a nice hotel like this should have access. We learn something new every hour. So Aub is on line now. She is happy, happy.

We bought internet access by the hour, but in retrospect an hour goes by quickly. In the end it would have been cheaper for us to purchase by the 24 hour period.

Wednesday, April 21

People are still walking around with wheeled carry-ons. Some have quite a bit of luggage dragging behind. So many displaced persons. Almost everyone has a pragmatic, “Well, what can we do? Just make the best of it,” attitude.

I keep asking people what they are doing. Keep calling the airport. Delta was so very patient and professional in all my calls. They tell me I’ve done the right thing by keeping our Thursday VCE to Amsterdam flight.

News tonight: Ash clouds lighter-more lava. London, Amsterdam and some others may fly tomorrow. Airlines are testing flights. Take your time-we don’t want to be a test flight.

Heard Milan airport is still closed. Rome is open.

I asked the concierge about checking out tonight and going over to the airport to be there for our early flight. He said, “Where will you sleep, outside? They close the airport at night and you can’t stay there.”

Under the circumstances of volcanic ash crises I suspect that might not be the case but better not take the chance. And always the safety of my granddaughter is a deciding factor.

Concierge: “First bus 5:00. We will fix special breakfast for you. Bus arrive Marco Polo airport 5:30. You will have time for 7:00 flight.” OK

I went for coffee and talked quite awhile with Jeanette and her husband. Just found out he is not in the best of health and she would have done more exploring but he tires easily. Had I known that, we would have invited her to Verona and the symphony. They are off to Berkley via Rome, Tel Aviv, and LA this a.m.

Jeanette and I seem to be the only “group”. When I went down for coffee she said, “Here, sit here,” and motioned me to her table. She left me a note and a coupon at the desk before they left.

Aub and I ate a late breakfast and left to walk to Piazza San Marco where we had taken the water bus to hear Vivaldi. Tonight is La Traviata. We would like to go but we need to get up so early in the morning – still deciding. The walk over to the Square is about an hour but if you stop to take pictures, look through stores, have cappuccino and tiramisu at a side walk café, it could be 2 hours.

There are shops all around the perimeter of the Square.We walked through some artsy stores with beautiful glass sculpture and Murano glass. Some stores are like walking through an art museum. What a feast for the eyes.

There are mask stores all over the place. From street vendors to upscale shops. Masks are made of paper mache, glass, ceramic, feathers or beads.

On the way back we bought a mask. You just can’t leave Venice without one when you see so many. Got red raspberries from a street fruit stand. We found a grocery! There was one on Lido Island and in our wanderings we found another, a BILLA store. We bought bananas and water. If we don’t get out of here tomorrow we can buy sandwich meat, bread and fruit here.

The afternoon was getting pretty warm. I had to walk on the shade side of the street. I think I’m getting a blister on my little toe. It was good to get back to the room and cool off. We had seen someone with a Hard Rock Café- Venetia shirt. So I told Aub to search to see where it is. Yep. You guessed it. Back at the Square.

After Aub was done with the computer I tried to check in with Delta. I couldn’t check in with Delta because they had gotten our 1st leg with KLM. KLM hadn’t sent me a confirmation number. I called and they said to check in at the airport. I’m not liking this. I’m thinking things are not running smoothly with airports being closed since last Thursday.

Today was the 1st day for any flights. Tomorrow is supposed to be back to 80% flights leaving. If you booked last Thursday or Friday to leave Monday or Tuesday you are now cancelled again and go to the back of the line. Because we booked later we are now at the front! Last Sunday, Thursday seemed so far away. No one could know that Thursday would be the 1st big fly day and we were in the best position we could be.

I was recuperating from our 1st time over when Aub said, “Well, ready to walk back?” We could have taken the Water Bus but all we had was time at this point and we were anxious about tomorrow. Walking was good. Stopped for some souvenirs and snacks. Got dinner. Had to use up our Euros, right? We explored side streets. I don’t think we came or went exactly the same way any time even when we tried.

We had taken the Gondola ride the 1st day we were there with the rest of our family. It was great. They take you through the Grand Canal and then through side canals and waterways. It is so picturesque.

I think we may be the only tourists who walked from Ferrovia Station to PSM twice in the same day. I have a good blister now. We stopped for pizza and ice cream on the way back.

Time to pack. Aub is Facebooking her mom and is allowed to get ice cream one more time. I’m in the shower and she wants to go by herself. I’m pretty sure now she would be all right, but I can’t let her out of my sight. “Wait! I’ll throw on a towel and go with you!”

I get dressed and we go out the hotel entrance, walk right about a block along the canal and cross the bridge to the left. Over the bridge we snake along the Tourist Street to the right till we get to our favorite deli. It is dark now and the ever moving boat traffic on the canal is slowing down. But still there are Water Busses and taxis. Still people out on this warm evening.

We are on a diet now. We nixed the cone calories for ice cream in a cup! Actually the ice cream flavor is better when not competing with the cone.

We stroll back slowly knowing this is our last look at this exotic city that we have called home for 5 days.

Posted on April 11, 2011 - Filed Under Beach and Vacation Travel Tips and Help, Not Much to do with the Beach, Travel

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