Lido 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 ...

... constantly, one side saying "what are you complaining for? You're in ITALY, you are spoiled with treats and sweet people, yet you want to return home? What is WRONG with you??" Then the other side pipes up in self-defense "these kids are exhausting! It's hard being here, not knowing the language, not having friends. Even when I'm done working I am still around them, I never have the mental break I need. Give me a break!" And then it ...

An early morning as we were heading to Venice for the day which was a bit over an hour by train from Verona. Both Greg and I had been before and it hadn't been our favourite place, but we wanted the girls to at least see it. We had warned them that we wouldn&#8217;t be going on a gondola as it is over 75 Euros ($150 AUD) for a ride. Katelyn said that we had already been on a gondola ride in Las Vegas so we didn&#8217;t have to ...

<br><br>A day to explore Verona so we started at the Arena where we bought a Verona Card which covers Verona's major attractions and proved to be good value as kids only then had to pay 1 Euro to get into whatever we decided to do. We usually avoid these as with the kids we usually don&#8217;t rush from one place to the other. The Arena was pretty impressive- it is a Roman Amphitheatre which is used today for traditional operas such as Aida and also other concerts ...

It was still raining so we got a taxi to the train station as we were heading to Verona in Italy. A funny thing happened at the station- we were in the supermarket there when the security thing beeped as someone went out of the shop- we looked and it was a nun leaving the shop- the shoppers all were smiling. As the trained climbed across Brenner Pass, the rain had turn to snow but as we got into Italy the weather cleared ...

... it anyway. And in fact, it was COFFEE SHAKEN WITH MINT. Go figure, that's almost the exact translation. So I had my first espresso. And holy missoula, it was delicious! And afterward, I didn't have my typical coffee-shakes. Most of you have experienced java josie. And need I say more than "malignant M&amp;M?" I don't think so. But I will tell you what. I have found the motor oil that this particular engine should run on, and it is chilled ...

... But I've been drying everything out on the line outside. I don't think I've ever really done that before. It's kind of fun. Again, clearly still honeymooning. But this little taste of domestic life in the midst of my exploring has been just what the doctor ordered. Then on Friday I head to Venice, Saturday is the cruise and then a week of floating around the Greek Isles. I would have to say that life is pretty darn good.

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 ...