Day 63 - Genoa - Venezia - Housesitting
Sunday, September 2nd, 2018.
Today we woke up at 6:20am and got ready to leave the house at 7:00am to take the 8:00am bus. We didn't call a taxi because, first of all, they don't have access to the historic downtown and because we don't trust them. Remember we had live in this country for a year and we have many stories to tell. We walked to the taxi stop where we figure we would find one, well, surprise, surprise. There was no taxi to be seen. I was so upset, even after I had asked the taxi driver if they worked on Sundays early morning. I took out the card that the driver had given me and called. Of course, we got an answering machine saying" Please call during business hours! Ahhh, I wanted to scream. Welcome to Italy! I ran to the corner of the street to see if I could see a taxi but I guess it was too early and Sunday when no one works!
We were going to walk to the bus stop if we had to that's why we had planned to leave one hour early. We saw some people with suitcases across the street so we figure they were taking the bus to the terminal. We ran and cross the street when the bus was arriving. While Gregory was paying the driver, we all got onto the bus, little did we know that you are suppose to buy your ticket before you get on the bus! Oh well, I told him not to worry and he said: I'm not worried, it is 7:30am in Italy!
The bus stopped at the train terminal and then it was a short walk to the bus stop. Of course, our bus wasn't there because we were half an hour early. Finally, we boarded the bus, I was really upset that the driver didn't let me put Sunshine's guitar on top with us and also because he sent us to the back of the bus because he wanted to leave the four front sits open, for what? not sure!
I took a deep breath and heard Sunshine say: "I already miss France." Me too but we will enjoy this beautiful country and adjust like we have so far. Plus the children, need to live and experience each different culture and make their own impressions, this is what I love about traveling like a local and not in tourist groups. Plus, we are all excited to take care of a bird, a bunny, and a cat. That's right, I forgot to mention that we are housesitting a house outside of Venice! We get to stay for free in exchange for taking care of their pets. The family that chose us, because there are many applicants will come to pick us up at 2:00pm. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying writing on the bus, looking at the rain and taking an Italian class by listening to two older ladies behind my sit!
We arrived at 2:10pm and Manuela, our hostess was already waiting for us She welcomed us with a hug and kiss. She was so sweet. When we got home, she showed us around and told us what to do with the two pets that we have to babysit. The bird was given away, so we only have to take care of a rabbit named: Kiki and a cat named: Penny and we don't even have to clean their bathroom. The house is amazing with a nice backyard that looks like a little forest! After an hour, Manuela made some pasta for us. We were not that hungry because we had eaten on the bus but we couldn't refuse a dish of pasta with a special tomatoes sauce of "la nonna". We chatted for a while and around 4:00pm, we took her to the train station. Gregory and I came back home right after because the two grocery stores that we found, were closed, of course, it was Sunday!
I thought we were going to stay home and rest but Gregorio had his mind made up and we were going to take the bus to Venezia. The kids also complained, after all, we had woken up at 6:00am but like Gregory pointed out, we didn't do anything in the bus, plus Manuela told us that we had to see the city at night. I was just worried that we were not going to find a bus coming back home at night.
We walked for 5 minutes to the bus stop and the tobacco was closed to buy the tickets but we didn't worry because Gregory had read that we could buy it on the bus. Well, when the bus arrived, he said he didn't have any tickets left! Welcome to Italy. I didn't worry but Gregory downloaded the bus app and bought the tickets online. I'm glad that he did because, for the first time in our two months of traveling, we had the guards checking the tickets!
We made it to Venice around 6:30pm. It was a 20-minute bus drive from Mestre, where we are staying. It was fascinating, magical and amazing! All our tiredness and sleepiness went away. We walked and took many pictures. We had dinner in a small place where we had salmon salad, piazza, and cappuccinos for dinner. We made it to the Piazza San Marco around 9:00pm. We sat there for a while and admire the view. Gregory and I dance with the romantic music in the background, while Sunshine and Daniel hide from us!
We got a little bit lost on our way back home. I kept stopping to ask for directions. A nice waiter even gave me a map and explained to me how to hold it. For the first time in history, Gregorio confessed to being lost, plus the GPS signal kept getting lost! Finally, I stopped a local girl and asked her for the name of the bus stop and directions. We finally made it to the bus stop, took the 10:20pm bus and made it home past 11:00pm. I was very happy we did it but we were all exhausted and told the kids that we could have a late school start tomorrow!
Ciao Italia
Today we woke up at 6:20am and got ready to leave the house at 7:00am to take the 8:00am bus. We didn't call a taxi because, first of all, they don't have access to the historic downtown and because we don't trust them. Remember we had live in this country for a year and we have many stories to tell. We walked to the taxi stop where we figure we would find one, well, surprise, surprise. There was no taxi to be seen. I was so upset, even after I had asked the taxi driver if they worked on Sundays early morning. I took out the card that the driver had given me and called. Of course, we got an answering machine saying" Please call during business hours! Ahhh, I wanted to scream. Welcome to Italy! I ran to the corner of the street to see if I could see a taxi but I guess it was too early and Sunday when no one works!
We were going to walk to the bus stop if we had to that's why we had planned to leave one hour early. We saw some people with suitcases across the street so we figure they were taking the bus to the terminal. We ran and cross the street when the bus was arriving. While Gregory was paying the driver, we all got onto the bus, little did we know that you are suppose to buy your ticket before you get on the bus! Oh well, I told him not to worry and he said: I'm not worried, it is 7:30am in Italy!
The bus stopped at the train terminal and then it was a short walk to the bus stop. Of course, our bus wasn't there because we were half an hour early. Finally, we boarded the bus, I was really upset that the driver didn't let me put Sunshine's guitar on top with us and also because he sent us to the back of the bus because he wanted to leave the four front sits open, for what? not sure!
I took a deep breath and heard Sunshine say: "I already miss France." Me too but we will enjoy this beautiful country and adjust like we have so far. Plus the children, need to live and experience each different culture and make their own impressions, this is what I love about traveling like a local and not in tourist groups. Plus, we are all excited to take care of a bird, a bunny, and a cat. That's right, I forgot to mention that we are housesitting a house outside of Venice! We get to stay for free in exchange for taking care of their pets. The family that chose us, because there are many applicants will come to pick us up at 2:00pm. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying writing on the bus, looking at the rain and taking an Italian class by listening to two older ladies behind my sit!
We arrived at 2:10pm and Manuela, our hostess was already waiting for us She welcomed us with a hug and kiss. She was so sweet. When we got home, she showed us around and told us what to do with the two pets that we have to babysit. The bird was given away, so we only have to take care of a rabbit named: Kiki and a cat named: Penny and we don't even have to clean their bathroom. The house is amazing with a nice backyard that looks like a little forest! After an hour, Manuela made some pasta for us. We were not that hungry because we had eaten on the bus but we couldn't refuse a dish of pasta with a special tomatoes sauce of "la nonna". We chatted for a while and around 4:00pm, we took her to the train station. Gregory and I came back home right after because the two grocery stores that we found, were closed, of course, it was Sunday!
I thought we were going to stay home and rest but Gregorio had his mind made up and we were going to take the bus to Venezia. The kids also complained, after all, we had woken up at 6:00am but like Gregory pointed out, we didn't do anything in the bus, plus Manuela told us that we had to see the city at night. I was just worried that we were not going to find a bus coming back home at night.
We walked for 5 minutes to the bus stop and the tobacco was closed to buy the tickets but we didn't worry because Gregory had read that we could buy it on the bus. Well, when the bus arrived, he said he didn't have any tickets left! Welcome to Italy. I didn't worry but Gregory downloaded the bus app and bought the tickets online. I'm glad that he did because, for the first time in our two months of traveling, we had the guards checking the tickets!
We made it to Venice around 6:30pm. It was a 20-minute bus drive from Mestre, where we are staying. It was fascinating, magical and amazing! All our tiredness and sleepiness went away. We walked and took many pictures. We had dinner in a small place where we had salmon salad, piazza, and cappuccinos for dinner. We made it to the Piazza San Marco around 9:00pm. We sat there for a while and admire the view. Gregory and I dance with the romantic music in the background, while Sunshine and Daniel hide from us!
We got a little bit lost on our way back home. I kept stopping to ask for directions. A nice waiter even gave me a map and explained to me how to hold it. For the first time in history, Gregorio confessed to being lost, plus the GPS signal kept getting lost! Finally, I stopped a local girl and asked her for the name of the bus stop and directions. We finally made it to the bus stop, took the 10:20pm bus and made it home past 11:00pm. I was very happy we did it but we were all exhausted and told the kids that we could have a late school start tomorrow!
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| Building from 1300 where we stayed in Genoa. The hostess was a restorer. Check the wall |
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| Bye-bye Genoa |
Ciao Italia
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| Welcome to Venice! |
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| There was a regatta going on when we arrived. |
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| Venice at night |
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| I just can't get enough pictures! |
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| Basilica di San Marco |
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| Palazzo |
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