Day 38

  Hey, it's day 38!!! Only 20 more days!!! I'm not ready yet!!! I do miss all of you very much but this is just so amazing I need it to slow down a bit. And to think my dad thought I would come home early. Come on daddy!!!!     
  It was culture day for me, as well as other fun things. I didn't go to Burano because the weather wasn't good and it is a little bit far, so I decided to stay in Venice and enjoy my last day here. Which of course I enjoyed so much. I went to the Gallerie dell'Accademia di Venezia and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Both were great, very different as the Gallerie is old 15-17th century art and the Guggenheim is modern art 1900's. I am going to buy Peggy Guggenheim's autobiography when I get home. What an incredible women. I want to know more. Yesterday I also went to the Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna. There are many museums here and hundreds it seems churches.

  I often wonder how many miles I am walking everyday. It is crazy!!! I feel stronger and in way better shape than when I left. Even with all the food:). Did I tell you how much I love the food in Italy? Oh I love the food in Italy...
   When I was walking today I ran into the girl I was sitting with last night at the Concerto. She is from Paris doing an Internship here. That was funny running into her.
   I have crossed three of the four Rialto's in Venice, now that is a lot of walking. I kind of got lost today but I just kept walking until I saw something familiar.
    On the way back I noticed that this guy was everywhere I was and finally he came up to me, introduced himself (Vincenzo) and asked me if I wanted to go get a drink. I said I was married and going to meet my husband. (I felt married not just a boyfriend would be better), well being married wasn't good enough either. He really didn't care. He reminded me of my Ex... Relentless!! I know how to handle those types and I was on my way! ha... Experience has it's advantages:)

    Speaking of marriage, I know I say I don't ever want to get married again....But if I do....I want to get married in Italy and then stay for as long as possible. Of course anyone can visit and stay. I'm not saying it will happen but if it does that would be my plan:) Always thinking ahead I am:)
I think I am just around to much romance and it's starting to get to me. :)

   I did really well shopping here, there are tons of shoppes like I told you before and I have just stayed out of them... No boxes being sent home this time:) yeah!!! I only bought an amazing sweater and a few small things for me and my family:) Of course money is always a consideration when purchasing but I have realized weight is an equal consideration. I have seen a few pieces of art here that I would love to have. I think I will get a job first and then consider those kinds of purchases. I bet you are smiling right now huh Wayne? For those of you who don't know who Wayne is, he is a great friend and my financial advisor, who is very nervous about this trip:). I need someone I have to answer too:) Well I have to answer to Landon as well. Ha

Tonight I am going to this restaurant near my hotel that has a special dinner that is around one big table and the menu is prix fixe with wine pairings. I am looking forward to that, I think it will be really fun.

I can't believe this is my last night in Venice. I can't wait to come back. The only thing I chose not to do is go on a Gondola and be sung too. Way to weird for a party of one. I will wait to do that at the right time. Other than that I think I have mastered Venice. If anyone would like to invite me back to show them around I would be happy to accommodate:)

So I just got back from dinner and I want to tell you all about it. It wasn't a share table, it was just a shared menu. So here I was at a really nice restaurant, alone. Maybe a better adjective would be a very romantic restaurant, alone. Yes that's it. As I was at my table for two, being only one I told myself it was fine. The service was impeccable and right when I sat down they brought me a glass of wine (I must have looked like I needed it) and a glass of water. (good thing because I think I may be a bit dehydrated). I don't drink very much in the day because I don't want to have to go to the bathroom! lol  Anyway... the first course comes out and it is a Celery Puree and Calamari (really delicious), then an Artichoke Risotto and Bigoli Pasta with Venetian Sauce (which is Anchovy Sauce), the risotto was the best I have ever had, but the pasta not so much but I moved it around and it was fine. Then comes the main course Black Cuttlefish with Smooth Polenta. Have any of you had Cuttlefish? If you haven't I don't suggest it unless you're Venetian, they love it. First off the texture was weird, like rubber in a black sauce and I just don't like Polenta. I didn't want to hurt their feelings so I really tried, maybe 3 bites, then I just couldn't because I realized I was drinking the wine like water to wash it down. Quite the vicious cycle. The restaurant manager (who had been talking with me) came over and said "You don't like it?" I replied "I think it's just a texture thing with me, but not really, I'm sorry" He said "Let me bring you something else" Oh geez, how scared was I?, I knew I had to eat whatever he brought me out.....I took another drink of my wine. Then my new meal came out, it was a spectacular Sea Bass with fried Leeks, it was so good and then dessert!!!! Yes, I am so full I can't believe it. Like I said the manager (which I didn't know at the time) and I had been talking throughout dinner and after I paid and was getting ready to leave he came over and said that he brought me over a gift...he gave me 2 books on Italy and an Italian map, all in English!!! Wasn't that so nice? These are the types of people I am meeting. It's amazing. So the picture is of Vincenxo Serauto and me of course.

Then I came back to my hotel and my Chef friend was still in the restaurant, he came out to say goodbye (he knew I was leaving tomorrow) so I thought we should have a picture as well. His name is Gian Luca , so the second pick is the Chef and I:)

I don't think either of those two pictures is good of me but I sacrificed myself for my friends.

I am going to get some sleep as tomorrow I have an early day on my way to Firenze (Florence).

Goodnight to Venice, I am looking forward to returning sometime:)

I just had to put this pic in as I thought it was so funny. I named it FREEDOM. Sorry if I offended anyone. It was at the Guggenheim Museum and I just had to include it:)

Saying Arrivederci from one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Love, Laura

Quote of the day;

Changing

Place

Changing

Time

Changing

Thoughts

Changing

Future

Quote From the Peggy Guggenheim Museum