Alpino Malcesine

... to Siena for a day trip and Jason nearly got arrested tryint to use a public toilet. I guess it costed 50 cents but he only had 3x20 cent coins and wasn't sure if the machine would take not exact change so jumped the turnstyle instead. Got screamed at and chased down by the italian bathroom police (a highly specialized elite force) so he put the money in and had the pee scared out of him (literally, as he ...

... made with milk, so of course it's rich, but the ladies I was sitting with added 2 packets of sugar to each of theirs. Then they said when they make it at home they usually add cream as well! How the hell are they not all grossly overweight?? I swear, if I don't come home with cavities it'll be a miracle. As the week went on I just sank lower and lower into my debbie downer attitude until I had mentally retreated from the family and was just a ...

... toilet. We took the obligatory photos at the Rialto then just planned to walk towards a different section of the Grand Canal, but ended up just wandering through the back streets soaking up the atmosphere. There were tourists everywhere we went and of course shops selling Murano Glass and other souvenirs- I don’t know how they all survive. We ended up losing our way constantly until we got the Grand Canal opposite the ...

... and Tara went into the toilet and found it was one in the ground that you had to squat over so she refused to go.<br><br>We then went to have gelati and search the old city for toilets and found some near the tower which everyone refused to climb as they said they have climbed enough towers. They also refused to go into a church as well. We decided to have lunch before we went to the Roman ruins north of the river. These included a small amphitheatre and lots of ...

... We also went from having German co-travellers to Italian ones. It was certainly pleasant hearing Italian for change. Arriving into Verona, we appreciated that it was a bit warmer. We checked into a nice motel which was great as the bathroom was nice and we had our own little room where we could shut the door.<br><br>We were a short walk from the old city where you walked through the arches of the old wall to a piazza where the ...

... keep up the espresso lifestyle, but if I can, watch out world. I will be the next Picasso. Although I can't paint. Well. I'll be the next something.<br><br>I don't have major news to report. It's sad when the 'same ol, same ol' is "I had one of the best pizzas of my life, I went to one of the most fascinating wine bars of my life, I wandered around and was as happy as I've been in my life..." It starts getting old to hear, I'm sure. But to ...

... on Mondays. I promised myself that if I stayed longer in Verona I would go back. They also have live music tonight, so it should be fun. Don't worry, I'll bring Lucy's alarm for when I take the bus home at night. :)<br><br>OH! And because I have a washing machine I have washed everything I have. It is SO nice to have clean clothes and not do the sniff test each morning and go, "Nyeah, I think I can get away with that ...

So much so, that it is about to take the title of 'longest stay' while in Italy. I will spend 5 total nights here. Woohoo! I'm about to leave my fabulous hotel that I love to go to an apartment in the city, where I can live like a local with my own kitchen and everything. I am psyched! The only drawback is that it doesn't have internet. So I will do my best to bring my laptop with me and post updates while I'm in town picking up produce. EEEE! :)<br>

Verona may just give you a run for your money.<br><br>I'm in a glorious hotel, drinking German beer -- courtesy Olga at the front desk. And I am right in the very heart of Valpolicella country.<br><br>I've decided that in Paris and Rome I was touristing (though I recognize I didn't see nearly enough in either) but Verona is going to be relaxing time. Which I also recognize is ridiculous since I go on a cruise in less than a week. But whatever, it's my trip, I get to decide what I'm doing. :)