Frenzy

30, September

Today is for frantic shopping. But first let's throw in a possible train strike tomorrow on our day to travel. That could cause a small problem since we need to catch two (possibly now on strike) trains to reach our next stop...Lake Como. The wonderful hotel owner suggests we go to the travel agent (you just go over the bridge) and he will be able to tell us everything we need to know and make any necessary changes. Jim and Debi arrive at 9:50 (they open at 9:30). There is a sign on the door "be back in 10 minutes"....at 11:15 when they finally arrive they bring with them the good news...no train strike after all! There are masks to buy and glasses to search for, there are t-shirts to exchange and more to buy, a glass fish and bowl also join the cast. That looks like a lot of stuff to pack...no problem we are going right from here to the post office to ship it...what! Closed! It can't be closed! Oh, there is another one on the Rialto, let's just run over there and...what? You don't have any boxes bigger than an orange??? Before we panic we head back to the hotel and he directs us ...yes...over the bridge to the DHL shop. There we meet Roberto, the shipping savior in purple pants, who not only stays open an hour late to take our package, he treats us to an aperitif while we fill out the paperwork!! Only in Venice! Meanwhile, Sheila and Pam, unaware of the postal crisis in progress, go exploring. We find quiet neighborhoods, a quaint little park with a pond and statues of Garibaldi, complete with a mysterious message about turtles (don't abandon your pet here; give it to the Turtle Club!) the Public Gardens and the Lady in the Sea statue. It is wonderful to experience the quiet, slow-paced side of Venice before we leave!