Ciao from Venezia!!

OH MY GOSH...I am definitely, 100%, for sure, at some point in my life going to move over here for a little while.  I LOVE ITALY...however, I will NOT be using Air Berlin to get here.  Or passing through Germany.  No offense to anyone of German descent but I really find the language atrocious and my airplane food tasted like plastic and bad breath with a spicy kick.  Not a good situation.  Two good things about my flight were the fact that I had an Advil P.M. to make most of it go by sleeping and that me and the kids got six seats to share between the three of us so we could all lay down.  Enough said.

Since I have lost a day (or gained a day I'm not sure...it feels like I have lived two days in one) here's yesterday's recap and some pics.  Final day in New York was spent showing the kids some cool stuff.  The American Girl store, Lego Store, Trump Tower, Tiffany's (where I showed them how to dream big dreams)St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park (with a guide who clearly hated his job) and one more stop at Luigi's for pizza.

Kids at Central Park

Gracie in front of The Plaza Hotel home of Eloise

Me and kids on the crappy carriage ride

Now, onto Venice.  The plane ride from Dusseldorf to Venice was really cool as long as I tuned out the German or Dutch or whatever language it was in (again, my apologies to those who get offended easily...and again I apologize if the fact that I think you get offended too easily offends you).  Looking out the window I saw forever green as far as I could see.  About 30 minutes into the flight we started over what I think might be the Swiss Alps or somewhere in Southern Germany.  It was breathtaking.  I just kept imagining the Germanic barbarians moving south into the Roman Empire to invade.  It seems almost impossible when you see the huge peaks and valleys and so much snow.  I also thought of sexy Spartacus because that's where he had to fight at one point.  But we don't need to talk about him. 

There's the view from the airplane window

Gracie didn't sleep all the way over from New York so on this little flight she totally passed out and her head was out in the middle of the aisle.  Some old man was in such a rush to get his bag and get off the plane he ran into her and almost snapped her neck in half trying to get by.  Poor thing didn't even know what happened and Jake and I were laughing so hard we were crying.  I know...mean mom award.  I actually laughed so hard I snorted...REALLY LOUD...and...I was in my workout pants and a big hoodie looking like trash so I was just a sight to see.  I really want to travel looking all pretty but it just isn't comfortable. 

Anyway, we finally arrived and then had to take a water taxi over to the island of Venice.  Here is what I saw coming in.  This is one of the neighboring islands.

In some ways I didn't even feel like I was in Europe.  Being on the water in the boat felt just like being at Bass Lake and I felt right at home.  After getting settled in the hotel, we went out wandering.  I LOVE IT HERE!!  I wasn't sure how it would compare to Rome and it really doesn't.  It's totally different.  But equally just as amazing.  It has it's own feel and is rich in a different way. 

In some ways it feels cozy because you really can't see past the building on the street you are on...the roads curve and twist and wind around.  There are open windows and old wooden shutters against even older plaster walls and beautiful flowers in flower boxes everywhere.  My favorite places are off the main paths and back in the quiet canals.  The sounds of the water lapping against the walls of the homes and the songs being sung by the gondolier and his accordian man are intoxicating.  I told the kids it is my little slice of heaven here on earth. 

Kids on a bridge

One of the homes on the waterfront

The kids have a Venice treasure hunt book and one of the challenges was to get a pic with a gondolier...Extra Points!!

Well that's it for now. I am really sleepy.  Profundity for today?  Jean Luc Picard said this:  "Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey.  It reminds us to cherish each moment, because it will never come again.  What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived."  I thought about that as I walked around with my kids today.  I will never have these moments again.  I cherish them all.

Buona Notte!!