Hotel Astoria Malcesine

... well. Well, untill he tried to order vinegar in the fruit market instead of Dill (he had just learned / memorized the work for Dill (aneto) but under the pressure, it came out as vinegar (aceto). Otherwise, am very impressed with his language skills. A few more days and he could totally pass as a native, especially with shorts and sandles like he wore today in late october.<br><br>So now we are in ...

... of Allison, playing with the kids, there, but not there. In a moment of craziness, I told Ben to move out here, knowing in the back of my mind it wouldn't work, but I was desperate. The next day, once I got my sanity back, I instead sent eails to some people at home, asking if they had positions available for me when I got back. I do have one hopeful employer, I haven't heard back from him in a couple days, but I'm hoping he's trying to ...

... as we had had enough of Venice and decided that we would rather be in Verona. <br><br>Even on a Monday night, there were lots of people out and about enjoying the restaurants &#8211; we notice that while we are having dinner, most people in Europe are having drinks or coffee and they eat later. We also have a theory that TV in Europe is pretty lame (American shows from years ago) because everyone is out, rather than home watching it.

... in a small courtyard which is free to get into and there is a statue of Juliette and everyone was trying to get a photo with her- her boobs are shiny from people rubbing them. The tunnel to the courtyard is covered with love notes. As we were leaving, I couldn&#8217;t see Greg, so I said &#8220;Romeo, Romeo, where art thou Romeo&#8221; and the girls didn&#8217;t think that was funny!<br><br>We got out of the madness and went back to the hotel for a siesta before dinner.

... wouldn&#8217;t see on a Saturday night in Sydney. There were market stalls in one of the piazzas and I found someone selling chestnuts so I was happy- I hadn&#8217;t seen any in Innsbruck and they didn&#8217;t seem to be too common in Verona. As we were looking for somewhere to eat, we noticed that all of the restaurants had similar menus, and go figure, it was all Italian food. We hardly saw restaurants for any other type of food.

... it, that's a spectacular and different story. Everyday, every hour, every minute I am so grateful to be doing what I am doing. Even when it's just watching a movie while the wash is going, or killing time for 2 hours because the Italians don't eat until 8pm. I love it.<br><br>All of that said, for my daily readers, I do apologize for not posting when I could. You are welcome to come visit me in Verona and tell me what a terrible person I am ...

... 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. :)

... for a change with spring rolls and chicken wings for appetizers, spinach and ricotta ravioli, and icecream for dessert! We watched a few Italian gameshows including their version of "Deal or No Deal" and a show we never quite figured out that really just had a girl in a bikini who danced around a lot.<br><br>(Steve) <br> <br>After saying our goodbyes in Augsburg, we left my parents and caught a train to Verona after ...