Venice...Bella Serenissima

 A truly wonderous city....and it's only the day that I left that I found that it is a World Heritage Site. It makes sense because I had the same reaction to Quebec City!

It's a place that we all have to see atleast once in our lifetime. 

So...how was this visit to one of the most beautiful and romantic cities....with a teenager?? Interesting to say the least! Lol!!

The boy has his moments where I'd like to throw him into the canal but I was really proud of myself that I stayed patient. But he was also a sweetheart in that he helped me out a lot. Would he want to go on another intense sightseeing mission with me?? I doubt it!!

After the intense sightseeing in Rome, we relaxed quite a bit here...our hotel location was perfect and the suite they gave us was gorgeous. We felt like we had to go back and enjoy it after a long morning of walking. Who wouldn't want to take a shower in this bathroom after a long hot day out??

Or have breakfast like a movie star?!!

So proud that we actually did get lost on an island where it's impossible to get lost. The boy lost me on one of his moody "I'm gonna walk ahead becos I don't want to talk to you" moments. One of those tough love moments where I knew he was somewhere familiar and could find his way back to our room but he'd be freaked out by the crowds without me. So I took the alternate way back to hotel and waited for him in the lobby. He did show up about 10 mins later...scared out of his mind. Sometimes we all need a wake up call so we know what it's like to lose someone we take for granted. 😈

We roamed the streets...took pictures of doorways...wonder how the residents feel about tourists peeking into their courtyards and taking pictures of their homes. In the US that could get you shot!

The food wasn't much to write about. All the pizza, pasta and cheese can get quite boring after a while and we were so happy to chow down on a proper American burger when we got back.

Lido which is where venetians go to the beach looked like any other modern day quiet little beach town. 

The best part of the visit to Venice was the transportation. I loved the idea of getting on a boat to go anywhere. Maybe it's the Alappuzha blood in me although I've never done that back home. 

The last day in Venice, I stepped out on my own early in the morning as the market vendors were still opening their stalls...and the tourists were not out yet. It's a peaceful city at that time of the day...without the throngs of tourists...just normal people going about their routine. 

Sunrise at Piazza San Marco without the crowds was quite a sight!

It was also a validation for me that I can travel on my own and I don't need a companion. But....the great thing about having a companion on a trip...they can hold your spot in line while you go check out something interesting !!

When in Rome....day 3

The isle of Capri was on the agenda for day 3. We had an early start to the day...but my feet and I were so looking forward to not walking. 

2 hours on the bus with a 20 min refreshment break. 50 minutes on the ferry to the island. 

The island itself is very pretty and it looked a lot like the US Virgin Islands that we visited a few years ago. Vibrant market scene and then u drive to Anacapri that is the upper village. Narrow roads, hairpin turns and gorgeous views...it's an accident waiting to happen...so I guess it's a good thing that the locals drive. 

We raced for the chairlift as soon as we got our free hour. It's a little like parasailing...the silence as we floated along. I was surprised at the many empty chairs...and the fact that it wasn't as crowded as we thought it'd be. The guide said that for whatever reason, Sunday's are their busiest season and that he had a group of 75 just the prior day. 

Took the pictures at the top of the island...had the obligatory shot of vodka and then floated down. One day I'd hope to come back and watch sunset here. 

Lunch and some shopping later...we were on our way back. I did espresso the Italian way...and wow!! That's a shot to wake you up! You take it in a little shotglass sized teacup, standing at a bar. 

Back to the hotel...exhausted...crabby guy at the reception....takeout pizza from next door, a luxurious shower and crash into a dreamless slumber. 

Tomorrow...Vatican city!

When in Rome...day 2

If day 1 was exploratory....day 2 was hardcore sightseeing and in 100 degree heat no less. 

We set out early...but not early enough. First stop at the termini station to pick up our day passes. The people there are either very friendly or cons trying to gain your trust to rob you. Either way...we went about and made our way to the colosseum. 

The ruins are quite a sight and while we took in the grandeur we also realized that there was quite a line to get in. Hmmm...do I want to stand in line for 2 hours and then go in to get roasted or be done with colosseum, roman forum and palatine hill in 2 hours??

The guide was way overpriced for the job she did...and the sun and heat were relentless. The boy did not want to continue the tour to the roman forum, but I insisted and dragged his sulking body along. That part of the tour was actually fun with a guide who had a little more personality. 

The Borghese gallery was difficult to get to...but I thought it was worth it. No one really cares for the no pictures rul...but this is one museum I felt like I shd have gotten the audio tour. Both Ketan and I knew some of the stories of Greek and roman mythology so we followed along with the pamphlets they had on each room. My favorite sculpture here was the Rape of Persephone. You could literally see the terror in her face and the violence that was being perpetuated on her. 

As we started to go down the escalators at the Spagna metro I noticed there was a Harry's Bar and of course...I dragged the boy's unwilling butt right back up to go get a drink. Now that was relaxing and my poor feet really needed that break. 

So ended day 2....hot, tiring, full of ancient roman sights and then a refreshing drink. 

When in Rome...day 1

It took me an epiphany from a birthday that I spent alone...when I hadn't expected it...to make the decision to always try to be away from home and exploring a new place on my birthday every year. 

This year...it's Rome and Venice in Italy...with my 14 yo. I've had some reservations about taking him along but he has surprised me with his navigator skills although I'm not very thrilled about his I'm-so-much-better-at-this-than-you attitude. Excuse me!! I've been doing this a lot longer than you!! And there's a method to my madness...thank you very much! Oh well...he may need to turn 40 to get that. 

First day...we check into our hotel and promptly take a nap. Then we set out for the Spanish steps and end up in the completely opposite direction at a different set of steps that I was pretty sure were not the famed Spanish steps. Turns out we took a wrong turn and did end up opposite to where we intended to go...but we saw the Capitol and the colosseum from a distance!

We finally did make it to the Spanish steps and all the luxury stores on that street. 

There were so many little stores calling out sales that I wanted to browse but when you're on a mission to get to your destination, there is no time to explore. 

Maybe tomorrow. But I did get to have my two glasses of vino as we looked out into a piazza with a fountain and watched people take selfies. 

Not too bad for our first afternoon in the ancient city. 

Travel Travails

It's interesting how people bond when they are placed in a shared situation of inconvenience. Life stories are shared, small courtesies are offered and you connect with a random person in the universe who otherwise would've just been another ship passing in the night. 

So, when the pilot on my 45 min ride to Atlanta announced that he had to divert to Augusta to refuel, my first instinct was to start laughing. I knew I wasn't going to Vegas tonight. But the eternal optimist in me still figured the flight would wait 10 mins for me....I mean...why else would I run a mile and half through the airport in high heels??

I'm telling you...the F word escaped my lips when I realized that gate A01 was the very last one when I looked down the row of gates starting from A18. And the icing on the cake was when the agent at A01 told me that the gate was closed and I had to go back to the help desk. Where was the HelpDesk? Back at A18 ofcourse!!

I can't say it's been a rough night of travel. Compared to what could've been, I had my flight rebooked before I landed, my luggage taken care of, access to food, accommodation provided and free transport to that accommodation. The room was warm and secure, clean bathroom and a comfortable bed. Did someone try to enter an occupied room just moments after he jokingly hoped that he was given the key to a room that didn't already have a sleeping occupant?? Absolutely!! And I was lucky enough to witness the whole thing!! Haha!!

So....why do people still complain? Yes, it is an inconvenience and upsets carefully laid plans. But at the end of the day, we have no control over it and the best thing to do is to grin and enjoy the ride. And most important, embrace the opportunity to have that conversation with strangers who are along for that unexpected ride. 

My seat mate happened to have a condo in Vegas, my destination. She had some fun stories to share.

While I ran around looking for my hotel shuttle, shivering in the freeze because the compulsory Floridian in me refused to take a jacket, a man was kind enough to tell me what van to look for. 

On my return shuttle to the airport, there was the alpha male who made sure that first arrived was first served and stood up for an older couple who was not treated very respectfully by the driver. 

The airport so early in the morning is a quiet and friendly place where agents are not hassled yet with the crowds. There's a cheery good morning to all and the urge to help someone.  I'm one of those travelers who like to travel light and relax, grab my breakfast, find a vantage spot, people watch and read the news while I wait for my ride. 

It going to be a fun weekend with the girls in Vegas. I'm a little bummed that I lost a night with them...but considering the big picture, I've got nothing to complain about. It's just another wonderful day in my life!!

Love or infatuation

At what point do you realize that it's infatuation and not love? Would I go out of my way to make my significant other happy? Would I allow him to treat me like I'm not that important?

Absolutely not! I think a woman must first love herself and be comfortable about who she is before she can love someone else. 

I love my child...my family...but would I be quiet while they walked all over me? No! Love is about respect. When we respect our partner or potential partner...enough to show that we care...then we take the first step toward love. 

Love cannot be rushed. Love cannot be conjured out of thin air. And at my age, there is no loving someone just from a phone conversation and texts. I need that person in physical proximity to gauge subtle mannerisms. I need to see the shift in gaze, the body language, and how they behave in public. I can tell from how they look at me in front of other people whether they are into me. 

As romantic as it may sound...there is no such thing as love at first sight. It's lust or infatuation. Period.