The first day

We barely made our connection in Atlanta to Venice but the plane was not full and we got to have an empty seat between us. I watched 3 movies and DD slept most of the way. The flight was not bad and we arrived in Venice an hour earlier than planned. Picked up our luggage and waited for the Russell's and Dr. Gary.

DD used the time to keep up with her emails. The Russell's and Doc made it with no problems, as they flew first class. After all, no one would expect them to fly economy like the Katzman.

The reunion was a happy one, as Dd and Karen were beginning to suffer withdraw systems from spending almost 11 hours not talking to each other.

We took a water us to the Hotel Arcadia, which  is fine for a Europe hotel.

We had our first Italian meal at a small little restaurant and it was very good . We them met a representative from a Murano glass blowing company and took a water taxi to Murano.

The tour of the factory was great and we watched a glass blower do his job and he made the below horse in about 5 minutes..

We met the owner and his nephew and they were very warm and friendly. Dd toolk an immediate liking to the nephew. No big surprise there.

The glass was amazing and Dd is deciding on whether to buy a beautiful and very colorful case. They made us a very good offer and time will tell if she wants it.

It should be noted, that while I was working on the deal of the century, others in our rag tag group were not as interested in the proceedings at hand and failed to learn from my skill as a negotiator. Karen, in other words pooped out......

We went back to Venice and walked and walked and walked trying to find the Rinalto bridge and ultimately we did but not before Doc had his first gelato.

I thought my legs were going to fall off. but the views were great and here are a few of then....

After finding the Renalto Bridge , I felt like Stanley finding Dr. Livingston, check out the reference with someone older if you do not get it and then we took the water bus around the Grand Canal to San Marco's Plaza.Words can not do it justice so just enjoy the pics, especially Dd and Karen riding a stone lion... They look way to happy.

We took a water bus back to our Hotel area and had an excellent dinner and then fell in bed  like exhausted travelers. My fit-bit said I walked over 8 miles and my feet felt like  that was an understatement. In signing off on this journal entry here are a few more personal photos. All my love...

Alvin, World traveling journalist.