April 18, 2017

Sleep evaded us last night.  We were picked up at 4 am and whisked away to Charles de Gaulle Airport.  As we made our way out of the city, we felt very sad to be leaving.  We took a final look at the Eiffel Tower, which was standing silently in the dark.  Hanging out the window, Pat snapped some pictures of the Arc de Triomphe as we passed by on the Champs Ellyses. 

(Note from Pat) Normally I wouldn’t take a shot like this but seeing that it was 4am and we were zooming by, it just seemed appropriate.

We arrived at the airport ahead of schedule, and our driver, Mr. Lao, was very helpful and found a baggage cart for the luggage.  I initially said we didn’t need one, but Pat immediately stepped in and said we should get the cart.  Wouldn’t you know it…she was right.  She’s always right.  She is the perfect traveling companion and has saved us from my idiocy a few times since we’ve started this trip.  
We checked the bags (which were overweight and cost 70 Euros to get them on the plane).  Then, Pat went through the metal detector and was immediately pulled over for an extra check.  She does look suspicious.  Then they singled out my carry on bag for an extra look.  Anyway, we made it to the gate, Pat found an opened Starbucks (or European equivalent), and we are just waiting to board the plane to Venice.  At some point today we will probably drop in our tracks but it’s now 5:50 am and we’re going strong. 

The Things We Will Miss About Paris

Cafe Creme, Omelet with salad, foie gras, breakfast wine, our bathroom (maybe not), our waiters and new best friends – Carl, Ahmed and the grey haired guy, walking out our door and seeing Le Tour Eiffel, Montmartre, and simply living every day in the City of Light.

We will always have Paris…unless we get dementia.

Goodbye, France…we’ll miss you.  On to Italy!  

We arrived in Venice in a downpour.  Venice is supposed to be wet, but this was ridiculous.  Our tour guide, Sabina, met us at the airport and took us to meet our private water taxi to take us to the city…about a half hour away.  The boat driver, Thomas, was expert in navigating through the tiny canals to get to our hotel.  It’s just beautiful here.

This is the view from our hotel.very cool shop Riley would love

Yet one more bride.. This guy’s going to be hating his hair.

The Gardia keeping us safe in St Marks Square

OMG! Anyone who knows me KNOWS how crazy I am about glass! Home of Murano glass..

Cute guy freezing in the rain

Our hotel, Dei Dragomanni.

St Marks Cathedral reflected in a rain puddle.  

Everything seems to point in the direction of socks with heels so wake up America!

I love this sculpture. It’s about the size of a Peugeot.

No comment.. It’s just too close to what I see in the mirror these days.

Glass everywhere..I want every piece I’ve seen. Amazing artists.

Two sizes too small PeeWee Herman suits are so fashion forward. I ordered a few for Jack. He’ll be so surprised.