Robbed!

Well, not really. But I got your attention, didn't i?

Buon Giorno from Italy!

I paid € 21 (that is the Euro currency sign, if it 

didn't come through) for a Vivaldi concert in Venice at 

a church. When I went back for the concert, the door was 

locked and no one was around. I got ripped off! BY THE 

CHURCH!!! AAAARG!

Spent most of my second day in Venice actually on the 

Island of Murano where they make glass. I suspect a lot 

of the world's glass comes from there. I spent hours 

looking for one stupid piece that I saw at the first 

shop that was outrageously overpriced, then I never saw 

it again. When I went back to the first place, it was, 

of course, closed. Oh well, back to Venice for a very 

nice dinner at a place run by three sisters who didn't 

speak a lick of English. A wonderful experience.

News flash! I love Italian Food! Or more properly, 

cuisines from Italy. Italians say "Italian" food does 

not exist. There is Tuscan, Venetian, Roman, etc. Anyway, 

it's all good. And of course wine must accompany any 

meal.

I am now in my last night in Florence (Sunday night 

10:20 now). I love Florence, or Firenze in Italiano. 

There is too much to do here in 2 days, but I have done 

a lot. Gallerie d'Accedemia, where Michelangelo's David 

is, The Duomo, The Campanile di Giotto, Uffizi Gallery, 

Pallazio Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Boboli Gardens, Piazzale 

Michelangelo (nice views of all of the above). The best 

part of all was watching Walker Texas Ranger in Italian 

TV! Just kidding, but it was funny.

Today I slept until 11:30! I haven't slept that late 

since the hangover of New Year's Eve, 1999. Got a late 

start on everything, but I did most of what I wanted to 

do in Florence. 

Today I confronted my fear of heights again and climbed 

the Campanile di Giotto, the bell tower next to the 

Duomo. It has wires to protect you and prevent you from 

throwing things down, but the fear of heights doesn't 

care about that. Anyway, I got some good shots and some 

nice people took my picture too. I also (though 

prohibited) took pictures of David. I had to hide from 

the "David Police." Some people are very stupid. They 

use the flash on their cameras for the picture, which is 

unnecessary and draws attention to themselves, drawing 

the "David Police." They come after you, sternly 

saying "It is forbidden to take pictures!" So, hide and 

don't use the flash.

One more must in Florence is to have a Gelato, or in 

American, Ice Cream. Most places have standard, mass-

marketed gelato, but I found one that makes their own. 

Next to Uffizi is Cafe Carroza (may not be spelling it 

right), but I had chocolate with a chocolate mousse 

topping. Exquisite. The differences in the 2 types of 

Gelaterias, is like the difference between Baskin 

Robbins and Amy's. No comparison.

Now, I'm going to buy more wine and tomorrow I'm off to 

Siena, then the Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera-a 

vacation from my vacation. See you there, Kim. See you 

and Daniela, Rachel, Brandon, Robyn, Tiffany in Lyon. 

Wait, I don't have Tiffany's email. Oops.

Lance is kicking some tail again. 4 minute lead now. 

Getting my yellow t-shirt and Texas Flag ready for 

Paris! Come on over, Brian and Carolyn!

Ciao!

Darryl