30 Sep 5:20 pm Arrive Venice
Today is Jan Borja's birthday. We promised Kristin that when we got to Venice, we'd lift a glass of wine to her. I envisioned an outside cafe, a bottle of rouge, maybe some bread...the sun setting and the lights on land and sea coming on around us. Truly, we toasted in the confines of our room...about the size of one of the bedrooms at the cabin (and this one includes a bathroom...smaller than the cabins.
Taking off from Denver, the frau or fraulein cabin attendant who strapped herself into a jump seat facing me was terrifying. As we taxied to our runway she looked skyward with deep furrows between her eyes. As we rumbled down the tarmac, the furrows got deeper. She closed her eyes. Her hands seemed to be clasped in prayer. As we lifted up into the afternoon sky, she looked as if she might cry. "What does she know that I don't?" I thought. "Oh jeez, Lufthansa...the airline whose copilot flew the plane into a mountain. Is her boyfriend going to crash us? Did she just break up with someone?" But finally we were airborn, she unbuckled and went about her business.
We flew from the stormy skies of Denver, out over the Great Lakes and then eastward, droning on into the black of the night over the Atlantic ocean. There were a lot of babies on board and they took turns crying through the night. Some screaming. Some snuffling. As soon as one would quiet, others took up the yelling. The man next to me traveled with his elbows at a 45 degree angle from his body...during drinks, dinner, and the whole night through. Pam sat across the aisle, so I had not the comfort of leaning into her away, from this stranger. I slept on and off with him pressed into my left arm. Finally it was daylight and we were over the British Isles, and then the mainland of Germany.
In a few short minutes we'll land in Venice. I will be glad to escape the confines of Lufthansa Airlines, and Germans in general, food foremost. For my part I feel like an ugly American already. As Lee said it would be, the Frankfort airport is huge. We walked 20 minutes following signs to our gate, only to be met by an airport employee telling us our gate was in the complete opposite direction. We were two of about 30 people in the same boat. When we finally reached out gate, it wasn't out gate and we had to walk another 10 minutes to find the correct bay. On the way, we discovered some lovely lounge chairs and had a nap. Waking, Pam thought we should get some food and so we walked to the nearest food place. She had a pork sandwich and I ordered a chopped salad. It came with bar-b-cued chicken and french fries. "How's your sandwich?" I asked Pam. "Fatty..." Seriously? I really preferred my stash of M & M peanuts.
Upon our arrival at the Venice airport, Pam had everything well in hand. As I waited for our bags, she got tickets for the water taxi and an hour and a half later, we arrived at the Ca'dei Dogi Hotel...down two back alleys off the main calle, or street. As we cruised the waters, the sun went down and we were treated to a beautiful look at Venice as the lights came on. After climbing the stairs to our room, we opted for the tiny bottle of white wine in the wet bar, a can of Pringles chips and a toast to Jan. Happy birthday, friend. You of all people would understand. Tomorrow we're off on a guided survey tour of Venice, and in the evening? A special dinner. Ciao, everyone. Here are a few shots from our travels.
Well, not really 'cause we're about to depart Denver, but I thought the backdrop and the girl were cute.
Taking off from the airport in the water taxi, I asked a young man sitting at an open window to shoot a photo of the skyline with my iPhone. "Small," he said,but I liked the light on the water.
Main "Calle" after landing from the water taxi.
Happy Birthday, Jan...we'll do ya better tomorrow.
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