Today the weather is beautiful. A sunny, high 70′s – 80′s day does not happen often in Northeast Ohio. And as I walked into work this morning I slowed down. I took my time. I didn’t want to go in. This got me thinking, “Why”? I don’t mean why the beach, I’ve talked about that before. I mean why do we work so hard all our lives just to sit in a grey, lifeless cube. To sit an office where we can (sometimes) see nature, but can’t open the windows to experience it. Fluorescent lights above us instead of the open sky.

Why do we consider this successful?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should quit our jobs and move to the beach. After all, we need to be able to afford to live. We don’t want to have to rely on the government or others for our livelihood. However, we do want to be able to enjoy the life that we work so hard to have. Somewhere along the way we decided that we need to live to work, rather than work to live. We have let our jobs become who we are, and what we strive for. Instead we should use work as a tool to live our life the way we want to. Use work to enable us to live. This may mean working harder, so that we can enjoy the fruits of our own labor, but work is the tool for us to have the means to enjoy life.

The grey, lifeless cubes have their place. Along with the closed windows and the soul sucking fluorescent lights. But they should not be the goal of our lives, we were meant for so much more. We were given this beautiful world, the ocean and the beach to relax and enjoy God’s Creation. Why do we hide ourselves away in caves of electronic screens instead of trees, blueish fake lighting instead of the sun, conditioned air instead of a warm ocean breeze, hard plastic chairs instead of the sand?

After we’ve pushed nature out, we bring in desk plants to remind us of all we have lost. Our little bit of nature. Contained and sterilized, just like our lives in a corporate world.

Ambergris Caye, Belize Cayes

According to TA, Ambergris Caye is one of those perfect vacation beaches. It is what they call a sweet spot, meaning “just enough amenities to make it exciting, but not so overdeveloped that you’re tripping over flip-flopped tourists.” That’s what I like to hear. I don’t want to feel crowded by people. I want the beach in all it’s natural glory. With white sandy beaches, mangrove swamps and only golf carts to get around, I think that Ambergris Caye is all natural.Whether you are into sunbathing on the beach or diving, you can find it all here. Ambergris Caye is home to the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole. Diving into the 400 foot deep hole you will find all kinds of tropical fish, coral and rock formations. Ambergris Caye also made it to my World’s Sexiest Beaches post.

St. John, US Virgin Islands

Hiking, swimming on white sandy beaches, watching wildlife, snorkeling. You can do it all on St. John in the US Virgin Islands. Much of the island is a national park, which means that it is untouched by civilization. Perfect for the vacationer who just wants to get away. For snorkelers, some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean is at Trunk Bay on St John.

Bora Bora, Society Islands

Bora Bora.

Do I need to say anything else? This is what people dream about when they think of tropical, exotic island vacations. Little huts above the water, white sandy beaches, diving, sunbathing, mountains, shark feeding, what more could you ask for? Bora Bora made the top of my Beach Vacation List. Located in the Polynesian Islands, Bora Bora is a very romantic island. You can find plenty of activities to do, or just sit around on the beach.

San Juan Island, Washington, US

I don’t get this one. Sure it might have beaches, orca’s and a great state park, but it’s in Washington. It’s not exactly what I think of when I want the sun and beach. That’s enough about San Juan.

Santorini, Cyclades

Located in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the Cyclades Islands. When you think about beautiful Mediterranean Islands, this is what you picture in your head.  With ruins for the history buffs, great wines for the wine lover (and who isn’t?), hot springs, great nightlife and possibly the location of Atlantis, just about everybody will be happy in Santorini. However, Santorini doesn’t follow the pack with the white sand, instead, because of the volcanic activity, there are black sand beaches and red sand beaches. Take your pick.

Isla Mujeres

Located in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, Isla Mujeres has everything a top beach island should have. Snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish, windsurfing, sandy beaches and of course, seafood. Get your Latin groove on, drink some margaritas and swim in the beautifully clear Caribbean water.

Moorea, Society Islands

Along with Bora Bora, Moorea is part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. Home to the world’s largest coral reef system (actually over 3,000 different reefs) Moorea is THE place for snorkeling and scuba diving. Even if you don’t dive, you can still see the coral and tropical fish from the comfort of a glass bottom boat.

Koh Tao, Surat Thani Province

In the quiet, serene Gulf of Thailand is the beautiful Koh Tao Island. Palm trees, sea turtles, white sandy beaches and 300 days of sun a year. Oh, and some of the beaches are not even accessible unless you have 4 wheel drive. That is my kind of secluded beach.

Easter Island, Chile

Just about everyone knows Easter Island, but few people ever visit it. Home to the giant stone heads (maoi), this island in the South Pacific is uncrowded, historical, mysterious, beautiful and it’s got a beach. You can ride horses, climb the volcano or watch the islanders do their traditional dances (wearing coconut bras!!).

Nosy Be, Antsiranana Province

I’ve always wanted to go to Madagascar, and no, not because of the cartoon. I have always loved the old stories about sailing ships and adventures. Nosy Be (off the coast of Madagascar) is the kind of place that these sailors, and pirates, visited and wrote about. Why else would they have rum distilleries on the island? In addition to rum, there are volcanic lakes, lemurs, plantations and coral reefs. I am definitely adding this one to my Wish List.

So what do you think? Any of these places make it to your list? Any of them what you expected for the top islands in the world? Let us know in the comments.

I also have another post of the Top Ten List of the Best Beaches in America.

Maui, Hawaii – Black Sand Beach Near Road to Hana

Grassy Key, Florida – White Sands Inn

Half Moon Bay, California – Half Moon Bay State Beach

North Carolina – Bald Head Island Beach

Those are just a few of my favorite American beaches from the list from Budget Travel. Check out the rest of their American Beaches.

Any comments? Favorite beach not on the list? Leave a comment.

What makes someone live in a cave at the beach? What makes a beach bum?

It’s just water and sand. We can get that at home. Take a warm bath. Although we usually don’t like sand in the house.

I mean, sure it’s beautiful. Palm trees, warm breeze, perfect blue colors in the ocean. But why does that appeal to us? Is it because we feel we lead dull and cold lives and the beach is a way for us to feel excited? To feel alive? Or is it because we think we are getting back to a simpler life?

I know I am asking a lot of questions, but as Socrates said “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Many people are passionate about the beach, but do we really understand why?

I believe that many times it is an escape from the ordinary. I do think that a lot of people think their lives are dull, uneventful, grey sad existences. The sunlight and waves and power of nature help us to feel alive. Invigorated. Warm. Colorful. All the things we think we lack on a daily basis.

The ocean reminds us that we are not in control. I is bigger than anything we can do. Lord Byron says it well, “Roll on, deep and dark blue ocean, roll. Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain. Man marks the earth with ruin, but his control stops with the shore.” We can’t do much to change the ocean.

That can inspire two feelings, helplessness and peace. The helplessness would come from knowing that we are powerless to stop the force of the ocean. The beach though can then provide a peace. In spite of us, it will continue. We don’t have to do anything.

“I have always loved the beach. The smell of the salty water, the wind in my face, the gentle roar of the waves all combine to create a sense of peace and calm.” – Anonymous

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Cousteau

“Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.” – Robert Henri

What do you think it is? Why do you love the beach?

Leave a comment and tell everyone what you think it is.

I will try to make a good list of the best Caribbean snorkeling for you. I have talked about the best Caribbean snorkeling before, but I am trying to make a series now of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean, Mexico and the US. If you have any ideas, let me know in the comments.

Snorkeling at The Baths – Virgin Gorda – BVI

With massive boulders and natural caves and grottoes, The Baths at Virgin Gorda are the perfect place for snorkeling. Not only are there many many fish and sea life to see, there is also the possibility to find Blackbeard’s treasure that may have been hidden there.

Eden Rock/Devil’s Grotto Snorkeling- Grand Cayman

Full of tunnels and caverns, many people say that Eden Rock and the Devil’s Grotto are their favorite places for both snorkeling and diving. With a myriad of sea life and great coral, weak currents an shallow waters, this is a perfect place for inexperienced and average snorkelers and divers.

Mona Island Diving and Snorkeling – Puerto Rico

Known as the Galapagos of the Caribbean, Mona Island is an untouched, uninhabited paradise for wildlife and marine life. Because it is a preserve it will never be ‘civilized’ and will remained unspoiled. You can see cliff diving, caves and boulders, ocean life, iguanas and much more. You can even camp at Mona Island. Snorkeling would be great, but if you are going you may as well dive.

Bay Islands Snorkeling and Diving – Honduras

Can’t go to Australia to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef? Then Go to Honduras. The Bay Islands are home to the Mesoamerican barrier reef which is the 2nd largest in the world. Caves, shipwrecks, and even Whale Sharks make the Bay Island in Honduras an amazing snorkeling and diving paradise.

Cades Reef Snorkeling – Antigua

Both sides of the reef at Cades Reef in Antigua will provide a great snorkeling experience. Whether you are new, seasoned or an expert you will find beautiful coral, great sea life and much to look at. It is a better place for beginners though. Cades Reef is shallow and has many spots to dive and snorkel.

1. Booby Cay, Jamaica

Ok, why is the first beach on the list named Booby Cay? It’s for a bird. Nothing else. But it is funny.

It isn’t unusual to see (or not see) bikini tops off in Negril, but this nearby island is much more accepting of the full monty.

2. Grande Saline, St. Barthelemy

Grande Saline is close to the capital of Gustavia. This is fine for your average nudist, but the Caribbean T&L says the more ‘intrepid nudist’ will want to go to Anse du Gouverneur. I’m not sure what a more ‘intrepid nudist’ is.

3. Pointe Tarare, Guadeloupe

It isn’t easy to find apparently, but they say that they were the first legal nude beach in the Western Hemisphere.

4. Hawksbill Bay, Antigua

There is only one nude beach on Antigua, and this is it. On the west coast near the Hawksbill Hotel there are a few slices of white sand beaches for you.

5. Orient Beach, St. Martin

So although the Dutch side has a skinny dipping beach at Cupecoy Beach, this is on the French side. This is one of the best beaches in the Caribbean to bare it all.

These are the best nude beaches according to Caribbean Travel & Life, do you have any more that you think should be on here?

So here are the Top Ten Caribbean Beaches for Snorkeling:

1. Anse de Colombier – St. Barts

White sand, blue water and no roads. That means less tourists. You may see parrotfish, angelfish, morays and sea stars are some of the things you’ll see. There are also coral reefs and sea turtles.

2. Cane Bay – St. Croix, USVI

Cane Bay has a 7 mile coral wall, however it is also one of the most popular beaches in St. Croix, so be prepared to battle crowds.The coral starts around 15 yards from shore and includes much to see, including “Lots of turtles, eels, octopuses, lobster, flamingo tongues, seahorses; we even have an ancient Dutch anchor.” That sounds great, I love to see old ships and relics.

3. 18 Palms – Bonaire

Rays, squid and octopuses are among the marine life you’ll see in 18 Palms. Known more for its reefs than its beaches, Bonaire is one of the best places for snorkeling.

4. Lighthouse Point – Eleuthera

This sounds like the place for me, no development. That means no tourists and very few people in general. You can find grouper, lobster, parrotfish and most everything else in the corals in Eleuthera.

5. Playa Kalki – Curacao

In the reef at Playa Kalki, there are mushroom shaped corals, giving it the name of Alice in Wonderland by divers. If you want to see dolphins, this may be the place to go. “You will find all manner of sea life – fish, eels, turtles – by swimming to the right, along the cliffs. We’ve also been seeing lots of dolphin, with large pods coming through; our snorkelers and divers have the chance to encounter them underwater.”

6. Playa De La Chiva – Vieques

Playa de la Chiva is also known as Blue Beach. The rock formations of the island create canyons for the fish to live in, and the best snorkeling is at Isla Chiva. There is a lot of marine life, “such as reef fish, small turtles, octopuses, eels and conch.”

7. Smith’s Cove – Grand Cayman

Two miles outside of Georgetown, Smith’s Cove, is what the magazine calls a ‘well-known “secret” beach’. I have no idea what a well known secret is, but it doesn’t sound too private. There is some great snorkeling up close to the shore (parrotfish, peacock flounder, angelfish and surgeonfish), or you can go out further for some bigger marine life (stingrays, hawksbill turtles, and maybe a nurse shark).

8. The Baths – Virgin Gorda

I have talked about The Baths at Virgin Gorda before. It is a very popular beach, and for good reason. Actually made up of three strips of beach, and full of rocks and boulders, there are plenty of places to snorkel, and plenty of fish to see. They do recommend to not snorkel between 11 AM and 3 PM because of the crowds.

9. Trunk Bay – St John, USVI

White sand beaches, surrounded by palms and sea grape trees, that sound like paradise to me. Trunk Bay is part of the Virgin Islands National Park, so it will be relatively unspoiled. There is a marked snorkeling trail  for those who are new to snorkeling, and for those who just want to know where to go. Trunk Bay is great for beginners and experienced because it has a great snorkeling in the bay, but more experienced snorkelers can go all the way around Trunk Cay, the actual island.

10. West Bay Beach – Roatan, Honduras

Half a mile of sand, and 40 miles of coral reef. That’s a good bit of snorkeling. You can find many species here, including “eels, turtles, grouper and conch.” Eels are very plentiful here and you can see dozens of them at Mandy’s Eel Garden.

Have you found great snorkeling before? Let everyone know where you’ve been and how it was in the comments.

“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.

In back of the deli under an open roof there are seats and tables. But most people walk and eat. Sit down restaurants with cover charge, bottle of water and pizza for both of us could add up to 29E or about $40US. The rate was $1.4US to 1E. I think I said that right. If you take the Euro price and multiplied it by 1.4, it gave us the US equivalent we were paying. We are learning so much.

At the train station we watched people getting their tickets from automated screens. Aub saw other kiosks and thought we should try them to get to Verona. She was right. The people who invited us to go with them had large tickets. The 1^st kiosks had small ones. We found one that people were using in English and watched them, then asked questions. When it was our turn we were almost finished and a lady behind us helped us finish up. “We all have to help each other,” she said. AMEN

We had devotions this am. Read from I Cor. 13, the love passage. We prayed for those at home who are probably more worried than we are. We listed the things we are thankful for.

I told Aubrey, this experience is going to test our problem solving skills, our patience, our intelligence and our faith. Sure enough, it has. She is a great problem solver: observant, keeps a cool head, goes with the flow. Her dad was very observant. Earl could show him something when working and Chris could anticipate which tool next. I see this same trait in Aubrey. But, life IS just a series of problem solving, isn’t it?

I’m using lots of pages I see. I hope we get home before the pages run out! Aub says we will.

We were ready to walk over to St Mark’s Square but our hotel adapter popped and blew the room lights. While waiting for the technician I decided to work the phones again. There are no changes for Thursday. Tuesday’s flights cancelled for sure and probably Wednesday’s.

We are hoping as airspace opens up, more flights will be put on.

It is too late now to walk to PSM. We will take the waterbus. It is 6.50E one way. Had we known, we could have bought a 3 day pass for 18E and “hop on-hop off” anywhere during that time.

The concert was great.  The room is the same dimensions as the room in which Vivaldi composed. The acoustics were outstanding.

Piazza San Marco is beautiful. Every sight is a picture. Venice night life seems to be around the Square. After the concert we moseyed back through the huge square. It is after dark now, but there are huge outdoor restaurants, each with its own little orchestra. People sit only if they are ordering. The square is surrounded by stunning architecture and so is a concert hall sound. People are sitting, strolling, dancing, eating ice cream…

When we got back to the waterbus the ticket counter was closed. The ticket stamper machine was out of order – so we just got on. No one checked tickets. The bus was full. We are learning their sign system. There is WaterBus 1 and WaterBus 2. They go to different places and stops, so you need to know which one to get on. We weren’t sure but I saw Ferrovia. I had seen that name near our hotel but didn’t know what it meant. It is the stop at the train station which is across the canal from our hotel. The FS stands for Ferrovia Station. As we pulled into our stop with the hotel in view, Aub looked at me, smiled and said, “We did it!”

Our two heads together must give us an IQ off the charts. We are doing more things together than we probably would risk alone.

Tuesday April 20

We stayed at breakfast a little too long and miscalculated the time to walk to the station for the 8:58 train. We must have missed by only a few minutes. (Trains and buses run ON TIME) So we went back to the hotel to finish breakfast and pick more brains of Americans. Jeanette from Berkley and I have coffee together nearly every morning, now, until her husband and Aub come down.
We tried the 10:00 train to Verona – got on. No one looked at our ticket, so I guess it is ok.

The country side is very flat. Houses are colors of faded yellow, pink, orange or tan, mostly tile roofs. Farmers are plowing fields. The climate here is pretty close to late May in Ohio. We’ve had sunny days, each day getting a little warmer. Today is our 1st day without sweaters.

I see hills to the right now. It looks like snow on the tops. Could that be the Alps?

Some are traveling with babies or young children. I have a teenager with me. She will be 15 in August. I have not heard a “Whatever”, or “I’m bored.” No sighs or eye-rolling. She has been a delightful traveling companion. The only comment she made when we got back to Venice, not knowing for how long, was, “What will we do all day”. I have forgotten, though, how much teenagers eat!

Arrived Verona, 12:30 after 21/2 hour train ride. We, of course, now did not have our traveling friends we thought we would and had not researched Verona. We couldn’t find maps or what to do. Found out later that you need to take a tour bus to see most of the city. But here we are. We walked around a park and national monument. Verona is apparently where Shakespeare wrote or was the setting for “Romeo and Juliet”.

Found a McDonald’s and got a sandwich and coffee ‘take away’ American style.

We had a late start from missing the 1st train. We walked for about 1-1/2 hours. It was nearing 3:00 when I thought we’d better get our tickets to go back. We had on recommendation gotten only 1 way because of not knowing how long we would be there.

Aub is great on these self serve ticket machines. She punches faster than I can read it, then I stick in my credit card. We make a good team.

We learned to look for Bin1, Bin2 or Bin3 to get the right platform. We got our ticket. When we asked someone to head us in the right direction he said, “Bin4”. We were early for the time on our ticket. A train was there, so we hopped on. “Wow, It’s early!” But, great, we are headed back.

After a few minutes I felt I needed to check. I asked a young lady across from us and showed her the ticket, “Venice, Venezia?”  She couldn’t speak English, but said, “No, no Milano!”

Milan!   Oops!

The lady spoke in Italian to others on the train and found a guy who could speak both languages. She explained our situation. When we got to the next station he recommended getting off (my thoughts exactly) and buying another ticket to avoid fines and fees. Evidently you DO have to have the ticket for the specific train you are on. We could have been fined for using our ticket this morning for a later trip. Tickets were 46E each way for 2.

When we realized our mistake Aub said “It’s OK, Grandma. We’ll get there”.

So here we are waiting in Peschiera Del Garda station for the 16:13(4:13pm) train back to Verona and points east – Venice specifically. There are yellow boxes near the trains to stamp and validate your ticket. If not stamped we are subject to fines and fees. So far no one has looked. I have heard that many places are understaffed because workers are stranded as a result of the ash cloud. So maybe there are just not enough people to check everything.

We are on a different kind of train going back to Venice. We asked 3 different people if this was the correct one. They just announced our stops so I know it has to be. But the other one had no announcements. You had to watch station signs. This one had way fewer stops and returned in 1-1/2 hours.

Oops! Aub thinks we are in 1st class. We just figured out the number system. We were to be in car 9. The train is not full so we just sat down. The regional ones aren’t. It’s air conditioned and there are little tables for computers. Aub has decided she wants pizza and ice cream for dinner.

We are almost there and no one has challenged our seats. If anyone did we were going to say, “Sorry, sorry, Scuzi, (scoozi), scuzi”, and move on. I said “Maybe we look like we belong here, not like riff raff.”
Aub said, “Not yet, but we will.” It’s been a long hot day.

I’ve been awake since 6:15. Decided to do my hair and makeup. I’ve looked like a wreck for 2 days now. I’m brushing my teeth when I’m pretty sure I hear a plane. The windows are open. The sky is clear blue. It’s been mostly cloudy since we have been here. I couldn’t see anything. But, yes definitely a plane. That gives me hope.

I talked to our travel agent today and she couldn’t do anything to help us. She doesn’t deal with airlines she said. She said we could do as much if we got our own reservations. The one thing she did tell me was that we could order refundable tickets that we would have as backup if we did not get out on Thursday. I called and ordered refundable tickets for Tuesday, April 27, the earliest I could get. Aub’s mother was beside herself to get her daughter back.

VENICE – You can only ride a boat or walk. One would expect a night life here. But Aub and I were at a ‘tourist’ restaurant last night. We got the 12E special actually advertised on their sign “Tourist Menu”. It was a three course menu: lasagna, chicken and fries or salad. I was not sure about eating fresh uncooked food because of intestinal stuff we may not be used to. In the end we ate salads and fruit with no problems. We needed a balanced meal, too. No matter how good the pizza, Italian sandwiches and ice cream were, we knew we needed better.

Here they are in no hurry to turn tables. Our 1^st night last week the waiter said, ”Slow down, enjoy. Americans in too much hurry.” So they eat leisurely meals here. They take their time getting your order, bringing it and bringing the bill. Jodi taught us to ask for “still water” otherwise you get seltzer water, and that they don’t bring you the bill automatically. You can sit forever – then you signal the waiter when you are ready. Also, the printout for credit card does not have a place to add the tip. It is customary to leave it separate on the table. In all the credit card (table cloth) restaurants there was a cover charge of 1€ per person.

So, when we finally got out of the restaurant it was dusk. The busy crowded streets had cleared and only a few people here and there were out. As we walked back to the hotel there were two here-one there-till none by our hotel. (I learned later that we were up on the train station, bus station side away from tourist areas. A lady told me they were down by San Marco Piazza and it was so noisy all night they asked to be put to the back of the hotel away from the canal side.

The city is beautiful. It is old with wonderful architecture. Every view is a picture. I have heard the city smells. Maybe this is true in the heat of summer but in the cool April air there was only the scent of briny sea water.

I am writing this at the hotel breakfast having coffee and apricot croissant.

Aub asked, “Do I have to get up?”

We’ve had some tense days. She can sleep in today. And with the hotel adapter we’ll be able to do her hair. Me, too. Clean styled hair and makeup and I feel better PLUS hearing a plane take off. (Heard it was a small one -not international.)

It was so quiet. With the windows open – if you wake up in the night you hear nothing. Earl and I have been in other international cities and you hear traffic, people, horns or construction all night. I woke about 6:15 and heard nothing. After a while a few birds and then about 7:00, church bells.

I just looked back in my notes and noticed my large relaxed handwriting compared to this quick pinched scribble. That could explain my constant low grade headache. I am working on relaxing.

Anyway, back to Venice. Our hotel is on the Grand Canal which curves in a large backwards “S” around Venice. The main tourist streets are marked on the hotel map in yellow. The concierge said;

“You can get lost in Venice. But…that is the best way to see the city.”

So we always carry our hotel map with us.

During the day the streets are very busy with people walking. So many different languages, everyone eating ice cream (gelato). The ice cream in the many shops is more decorative than our shops. It is piped into pans in mounds then sprinkled or drizzled with chocolate or fruit. There are colors of lime, lemon, pink berry or white yogurt. The chocolate is very dark, not milk chocolate as we are used to.

We would like to go to a concert or opera but would get back so late that I would prefer to go with a group. My main concern is always the safety of Aubrey. She has been such a trouper through all of this. When I asked the costumed girl handing out handbills for the Vivaldi symphony if it is safe to walk back at night she looked surprised and said, “This is Venice!”

I am sitting by the sign we made:

U.S.Citizens Meeting

9:00 am in breakfast area

Let’s help each other

Judy and Aubrey

But so far we haven’t met anyone else. The sign is difficult to see. Aub had the best idea. Lay it on the floor of the elevator! It is 9:10 am. I will get Aub up so we can go to the internet café. Then we will follow the “Yellow Brick Road” to Piazza San Marco. Aub met me as I was going up so we are having breakfast and I heard American English. I talked to an older couple from Berkley who was on another cruise. It is good to make connections with other U.S. citizens in the same predicament.

The lady from Berkley stopped by our table again and said she was a graduate of Oberlin – did we have any connection there? Have heard of it but not familiar.

I checked again on Delta – no change. Our flight is connecting in Amsterdam: Amsterdam to Minneapolis to Akron/Canton.

We found an Internet Café, finally. Look down a narrow alley for the little square yellow sign with a cursive red “a”. Who knew? We stood in line about 30 minutes. There are still lines to everything. People are still trying to make connections. We are listening to English/British accent in front of us. A lady behind us is from the U.S. She is going to Vivaldi concert in Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square) tonight. We wanted to do that, too. We decided to start our walk there this afternoon instead of this a.m. and just go once since it is about an hours walk.

I finally asked the people in front of us if they knew, ”Do you have to use their computers if you want wireless on your own?” She shooed me to the front to ask the “chap”. They ushered us right to a side room and we waited a few minutes for a password. Aub is my techy-she is in charge here. Yea, she got on facebook!

Before we left the hotel, I was waiting to drop off our laundry at the desk and a family from Connecticut was making some kind of adjoining room arrangements. They are scheduled to fly out on Wednesday. I was talking to their 2 children who seemed to be a girl – 20 and a boy – 15?16? Very friendly. All of a sudden the father started YELLING at the guys at the desk. I’m not sure what the issue was but father yelled, “I’M PAYING YOU A LOT OF MONEY! I SHOULD GET BETTER SERVICE!”

The mother was like, “Come on Dear. Let’s go. Forget it.” But he kept yelling. Aub was upstairs getting our sweaters. I had wanted to introduce her to my new friends. There were few kids her age. Spring break was over for most. He was yelling as he went out the door. And the desk clerk in his Italian accented English, said under his breath, “Thank you, sir. Today I weel keel myself.”

The guy heard it and ran back in yelling, “I WANT AN APOLOGY! I WANT AN APOLOGY! I WANT YOUR NAME!”

I turned around and an elderly lady and I exchanged raised eyebrow glances. I think I spoke Italian with my face.

I met and lost friends all in 2 minutes.

Aubrey asked me why I talked to so many people. I told her each time we talk to someone we get a bit more information how to navigate this place. At breakfast she said it was, “like we are in a video game.” I said, “I think we just made another level.”

We went to a bank to buy Euros but they don’t exchange money. Met an Australian. He was stranded in Milan where the airport was still closed, and he wanted to see Venice for the day.

The bank pointed us in the right direction.

You have to go to an Exchange along the tourist route. The hotel will exchange only cash, but we weren’t home yet and I didn’t want to give up my U.S. dollars. We had seen the exchange but didn’t know if they were legitimate.

We bought 135E for $200. I guess it is like a cash advance which we never in our life have done. Next time it would be worth a trip to the airport to exchange money. Live and learn.

[Hotels have some of the worst exchange rates. See my post on Exchange Rates.]