Homeward Boind

Before I begin this my final blog, I would like to say, before I get hammered by everyone about how bad my spelling was on the last blog, I hit the wrong button and rather than saving it to edit I published it instead. Mia copa......

Now, the final blog.. "Don't cry for me" Indiana as I have had my moment in the journalistic spot light..

As we got up early, like 6 am, so Dd and I could join the Russell's and Doc on the ride to the airport ( both Dd and I were very concerned that they would get hopelessly lost without out skilled guidance) and besides, this gave Dd an extra hour or two with Karen.. Should I be concerned??

At the airport we said "goodbye" and tried to check and get seats together as we were told to get to the airport early to do so. After about an hour in line we were told we were too early to check our bags and we could not get seats together as the flight was full. We were at the airport about 5 hours ahead of the flight. As all of you would agree, I did not take this very well and asked for a supervisor which they got on the phone and checked in our bags and held them at the ticket counter till later, which worked out great as you will see in a moment.

We could not get seats as the flight had not been "closed" what ever that means.

We then went to security where Dd was stopped as she had a bunch if souvenirs including a sharp letter opener and several butter knives in her carry on. What was she thinking?? Dd does not look like a terrorist, but you would not know it by the reaction at security. Fortunately for us, Dd took the contraband back to the ticket window and put them in the luggage that they were holding for us.. No harm, no foul ( NBA rule )..

We then went to wait the 5 hours. We met up with the Russell's and Doc and sat for awhile and Karen, not Mike or Dic fit me a free beer from the first class lounge they had access to. She is a very nice person, much more so than her husband.. That is not fair, Mike is also a very nice person and a great friend..

The flight was full and I was told by no less than 5 people that we could not change our seats. I am persistant and got them changed anyway. The flight to New York was long but uneventful. Going through immigration in New York was tedious at best but we did it and it and took the shuttle to our connecting flight home to find out it was delayed by over 1 hour. We got home around 1 am  Thesday morning, thanks to Jordy picking us up at the airport and went to bed....

Epilogue :  Writing this blog has been a lot of fun. I hope you have enjoyed it and to a certain degree have experienced what we experienced, without having to pay for it, but you all will be getting my itemized bill in the mail soon. I am sorry for my spelling errors and my photos that were our of focus or otherwise less than perfect. Remember, I was on vacation and not at work, which gave those I work with a type of vacation for them.  Dd and I love you all and only wish you could be there with us, maybe next time. Now I will be signing off, after I check my spelling.

Alvin, a completed blogger and in the words of the late Robin Williams: " na new, na new" and as Jimmy Durante would say, look him up for those that do not know him, " good night Mrs. Kallabash, wherever you are "..

Last day in Italy

Well, it is now the last day that we will spend sight seeing in Venice and while we all, except Jane and Capt Gary who are in Ballagio, are sad about leaving we are determined to make the most of it..

Dd wanted to visit the Jewish section of Venice, which was very near our hotel, so off we went. Being Jewish, big surprise, it was very moving. Dd and Karen were determined to help the local economy and they shopped and shopped..

This is the only shopping area Dr Gary did not buy something at.

It was sad that in this Jewish section the mitart had a presence to prevent anti- a emetic attacks. In a large central area there was a wall with plaques remembering the Halacost. It was moving and sombering.

There was a Hassidic area where I was allowed to put on Tefillin, something I had not done for 50 years.

It felt great to do so. Here are some pics of the area.

Whe Karen and Dd were walking I took the following picture and then a stranger. Came up and joined the photo shoot.

It was time for lunch and we ate at a great little place where Dd quickly became friends with, of course, our waiter.

I also made a new friend with an Italian.

My food was soo good I are most of it before I took a pic.

Karen had a little difficulty in deciding.

Mike had no trouble at al..

In following a recurring theme of my blog I feel compelled to include this picture.

I was haunted everywhere I went by the call in the Ganbling G-ds..

We then took a water taxi to Murona to look for glass for Karen and Dr Gary.  Last time we were at Murano the owner of the factory we were at said there was nothing to see, buthe was clearly slinging BS as there were tons of shops that the ladies and Dr Gary went to see.

Both Karen and Dr Gary accomplished their goals and bought Murano glass while Mike and I sat at a Cafe and relaxed..

Satisfied that we had helped the economy we returned to Cenice for a quick bit and then to the hotel to pack..

Here is a pic received from Capt Gary of Jane enjoying the view in Ballagio.

Alvin, a tired but happy blogger

Ciao Baby

I am sitting at JFK airport after an  8 hour flight and just finished my blog on Verona and then I hit the wrong key and erased it all, so I need to start over. Here goes..

We all met for a simple breakfast before we left the ship. We said our good byes to the Duncan's as they were going on their own mini adventure.

The rest of us took a water taxi. To our hotel and checked in.

The a/c in our rooms was not working properly and it was very hot. Dr Gary needed to get more Euros, as his rug and 4 ring purchases put a dent in his reserves.

We walked to the train station and on the way I saw. Capt Gary walking.

That is his surprised look. He needs to work on it a bit. We all got on the same train and we paid first class to ride with the Dumcans but round up in a different car. The train ride was an hour or so and it was nice.

Dd and Karen had fun as always.

They have not stopped laughing nor talking the entire trip...

Nature called and I used the pay toilet at the station.

Gives new meaning to the term " stop and squat".

 We got off the train in Verona, it was in an ugly part of town and the first thing we saw was a man urinating on the side of the street. We had no idea where we were and DD and Mike tried to read a map.

 

They did not have much luck, so Dd asked a couple that helped us out.

When we got where we wanted to go it was spectacular. The pics will give you a feel for how peaceful and beautiful Verona is.

We had lunch at a nice place where the owner sat with us for a picture.

Mike had his usual ..

I fell in love with an Italian beauty.

Can you imagine my joy when I found out that she had a twin..

We took a sightseeing bus on 2 tours and it was wonderful. My feet loved it.

The train station had a strange McDonald's..

The ride on the train home was fun and although our rooms were hot as hell we went to bed tired, exhausted, but very happy. Tomorrow we bit adieu  to Italy.

Alvin, a man having a great trip with great people visiting great places..

Last day at sea

It was a quiet day, one of relaxation and one of introspection, which means giving your feet a rest.

 We all met for breakfast, except, Dr Gary, who needed his beauty sleep. We  had a difficult time finding deck chairs so the girls had a mini Spa treatment and Mike and I played Casino, actually only I plated. Mike just lost.. That is nothing new for Mike as he has never won a match against me. It is not bragging if it is true? I think not. Capt Gary went and worked out. His metabolism must be off the charts. He was a blast to  be with and his humor us very funny..  He however can not sit still. How he sits in a cockpit for long flights is well beyond my understanding.. Jane says those innocent things  and Mike and I twist them to something obscene. I know, It is  a gift, but what can we do?

Dr Gary got up a little after noon and we all are at the Solarium. 

Dinner was at Chops and Dd and I are free as a reward for winning the black jack tourney. The others had to pay. It was good being me. 

All the couple looked very good .

Dr Gary had a brain fart as he did  not show up till late but he was a sport, or sort of, and we all had a good meal. Dd and my meal was great, as it was free... Did I mention that I won the black jack tourney?????? I am not bragging I am just trying to keep you all properly informed..

We then returned to our rooms to pack so our bags would be ready to be picked up. After the packing Dd and I brought one of the wine bottles that we bought and shared it with our group. Yes, even Mike had a little. For those of you that think Mike is a tea tottler, remind me to tell you about Cancuin, a mexican drink and his winding up wearing a very large sombrero... We then called it a night until we met before leaving the ship.

Alvin, a tired traveler that will miss his comrades at sea...