7.12.09 Venice/transfer to Paris

Sad, sad day. This was our last day in Venice, and we were not happy about it. This morning we slept in a bit, enjoying every last second we had in our incredible hotel. We were supposed to be out of the hotel by noon, so we stayed until then. The hotel let us check our bags there, so off we went again to St. Marks to try and make it inside this time. We made the walk there and waiting in the long line to get in, however realized the line wasnt to go inside, it was to pay 4 Euro's and go to the top, which we didnt want to do. After we hiked back down the stairs we then realized the inside was closed; however we were able to admire the foyer and entry arches. Unreal! The mosaic work there made St. Peters look like childs play. Well, not really, but EVERYTHING is St. Marks is mosaics: the walls, ceilings, arches...everything.

The mosaics in St. Marks. Which are all over...

So, after we did our admiring, the chicas wanted to shop and I didnt want to wander aimlessley without going in any stores; so I took a sebatical from the ladies for the day and sketched. I found a nice spot on the river right by the Rialto bridge and soaked in the atmosphere for the afternoon. We then met back up and I realized that we had been in Venice for three days and not attempted to fulfill me (and Katie Brammer's) life long dream- eat pasta, while sitting in a gondola. So, after finding no where to get take out pasta, I almost resulted in buying raw pasta from the store. I figured eating gelato in a gondola could also be acceptable, so I bought some. When I explained he situation to the gondola man, asking just for a picture in it, that was the end. I wasnt about to hand over 80 Euros for a ride, and he wasnt about to just let me sit in his for a picture for free. I even offered to pay for the picture too. After a good debate with the man, we had to throw in the towel. So Katie, I tried so hard. I tried and it was not happeing. But when we are loaded we can come back and do anything we want. Done deal. We then headed back to the hotel to grab our bags and walk to long walk back to the train station. We opted not the pay for the water taxi, but drag our bags to and fro, over four bridges and an uncountable amount of steps. But we made it, and I got a good workout for my traps carrying my bag and Ashleys up and down over all the bridges.

Fab 5 waiting outside the train station

We then chilled at the train station awaiting our departure to Paris. We were told that our train "compartments" slept six and were arranged like the train on Harry Potter with two benches facing each other. Wizards and witches, let me say that there was no magic upon that train. There wasnt even a nice British lady walking down the hall with sweets on her trolley. Nothing.

There was nothing magical about it...

It was a 5x6 compartment, sleeping six people in coffins, not beds, coffins. But we made it a real great time. Realizing that we were all starving, although we did eat some big pieces of pizza before we left,

This is pizza friends.

we gathered all our rations and made ourselves a nice three course meal out of everything...

Course 1:
Little triangles of DELICIOUS cheese with crackers.

Course 2:
Granola bars and Cheese & Peanut Butter crackers. Different then the cheese and crackers from course one. Thank you Ali Tanner for the clarification.

MALU Extreme chocolate delights:
a palate cleanser before course 3

Course 3:
A dessert course consisted of a various assortment of sweets, including:
Bit-O-Honey's, Sweedish Fish, Nibs, Fruit Roll-Ups as well as Sour Watermelons.

It was moments after we finished the candy that we learned there was a restaurant in the back of the train. So, now that we were all sick to our stomachs we popped some Ambiens and off we went...

We tried to all hold hands while in the compartment...
but the sleeps aids had already taken affect...

Thank you Venice, you were amazing. Hooray now for Pairee. That was spelled phonetically for effect. Your welcome. Ciao, for the last time.