Europe 2011: Day 13 – Venice, Italy

Our alarm went off promptly at 5:30 AM and by 6:30 we were eating our last breakfast on the Splendour of the Seas. Because we carried our own luggage (backpacks), we were permitted to leave with the Express group. A large tour bus took us on a short ride to the bus stop where we got off ready to enter Venice. We had been to this beautiful city before (in 2004) and were pretty sure we could find our way around town. Holly had carefully written out specific instructions about how to get to our B&B by taking an Alilaguana (water bus), however, Ross thought we could save some money and walk. Do you all see where this story is going? Two hour, yes, two hours later we arrived at the green wooden door leading to the courtyard of our B&B at 3749 Ponte Chiodo. A nice Italian man welcomed us in, offered us something to drink, took off our backpacks, and immediately made us feel at home! He gave us a much needed map, some suggestions for eateries, answered some questions, and escorted us up a narrow marble staircase to our quaint room. He seemed a little stunned that that we had walked all the way we did. Normally the journey from the ship would only take about 20 minutes. Our window opens up to the courtyard and is just charming. After freshening up and connecting with the kids back home, we set off to explore the wonders of Venice.

It wasn’t long before we began to get really hungry. Instead of going to a café, we decided it would be fun to go to the grocery store. It really was fun shopping with the locals and seeing all the interesting things they have to offer. I imagine that a typical European would feel completely overwhelmed going to something like Dierbergs here in the States. There are just so many choices, even when it comes to selecting something simple, like a can of peaches. So, what did we select after all the delicious food we enjoyed on the cruise – a container of pineapple juice and a bag of Bastoncini cookies. We were so hungry that as soon as we got out on the street, we tore open the bag and began eating as we walked. We continued eating our cookies on the steps of an old monument when some pigeons approached us. I crumbled one of the cookies , gave it to them, and immediately, fellow pigeons came from out of the woodwork! I loved it! However, Ross would have none of that. He insisted that I stop feeding them as it made the birds selfish and mean toward each other. I countered that I hadn’t recalled seeing a “Don’t Feed the Pigeons” sign, and besides, this wasn’t the zoo! Well, a little girl started shooing the birds away when Ross said, “See, Lin, they don’t like pigeons around here.” Well, anyway, I’m sure those poor birds were conversing amongst themselves about the mean American pigeon hater. It was definitely time for a much needed nap.

We made dinner reservations at Al Timons for 7:30PM. When we arrived we could tell that it was definitely very popular with the local crowd. People of all ages, from grandparents to small children, met and seemed to know each other. What a fantastic sense of community they enjoy! Why even their dogs, which are always welcome in restaurants here, seemed to be friends. The waiter kindly told us the daily specials and we decided on a steak for two. When he brought us our meal, we couldn’t believe our eyes! On a circular wooden platter, the size of a large pizza pan, sat a beautiful steak at least an inch thick, surrounded by roasted onions, roasted red and yellow peppers, roasted portabella mushrooms and cucumbers, and last but not least, the best roasted and seasoned potato slices we’ve ever had. We scarfed down the entire meal. The waiter seemed very pleased with our ability to consume his food. As we stepped outside, we heard thunder in the distance and a light rain began to fall. No more walking tonight! We scurried back to our little place behind the green wooden door.

View from 3rd floor window overlooking B&B entrance