All Our Bags Are Packed!

                                                    Europe April/May # 23

Violins and Venice

Rebecca and Heather saying good-bye - Heading to Rome and home

Playing "dress-up"

Walking around our pretty villa grounds

Unique tour: Visiting a string instrument maker

Federico designs, manufactures and repairs

His wife plays a 17th century cello

He also sings and plays electric guitar

At first, he was going to be an engineer. His "artistic side" took over

Repairing or changing "the look" of instruments is an ongoing business

Making a cello if he didn't do anything else could take 2-3 months. However, with all of the other projects he has, a new instrument could take 6-9 months or even more time

Jerry could relate. Besides wind instruments and drums, Jerry played violin and electric guitar

For some tasks, Federico had to design special tooling and fixtures. Measurements are critical

Horse hair for the bows

             Choosing the right type of wood and its age is critical

It's hard to fathom that one day these old, chunks of wood will be turned into beautiful, music playing instruments

This guitar was severally damaged. Now repaired, no one would know the extent of the problems

There are a myriad of steps required to make a string instrument

Time to get the nails done. Patricia did not speak any English. Sign language worked

We found a small store that sold "food to go." The owner had a small table in the corner and said it was "okay" to eat on the premises.

Time to say "Good-bye" to Perugia

Our last dinner at the villa

The air is thick with poplar tree seeds as they are blown from place to place

Another adventure: We drove to the Florence airport. The last time we did this, it was impossible to find the drop-off area for the rental car. Signage was non-existent. Jerry paid a taxi cab driver that happened to be driving by who escorted us to the right place. Eight years later - the same situation. We had to drive in and out of the airport area three times and only accidentally did we find the drop-off area. GPS, Google Maps and Waze did not help. Ugh!

The next step was to get a taxi that would take us to the train station and on to Venice. In poring rain, Jerry transferred the luggage, gave the keys to the Avis clerk and off we went. The Florence train station was chaotic but still much easier to find our train than in Paris

Our train is getting its windows washed

Getting on the train was stressful as was trying to find a place for the luggage. But, we did it and sat back for a fast, two hour train ride to Venice

At this point, we were going about 167 MPH

Jerry is struggling with an "easy open" package of cookies

This is in front of the train station. It looks like Venice to us. 

We're back!

The next step was to find the right water taxi and get the luggage on board

One of these buildings is our hotel

With less than 24 hours before we start the cruise, it's time to see what can be found. Ahh...gelato!

Pretty mask -we have our own Venetian mask at home from years ago

 More masks

Beautiful designer fabrics

Candy wrapped in a mask

Time for sweets

...and more sweets

After taking this photo, we discovered the same picture was taken during our 2018 trip to Venice. Funny!

Everyone takes a picture of the Rialto Bridge

Ornate fountain pens are sold in this store

By our hotel

Pasta can be used as a decorate feature

So many shapes

Now that we had sweets, it's time for artisan pizza. So many choices

Scissors used to cut a slice of pizza

Birds enter restaurants and eat the crumbs on the floor

Chocolate pouring out of a gondola

Throughout the year, Venice is high energy, touristy but fun

Photo ops in all directions

Our hotel was great - good location - friendly staff. Now, it's time to wait for another water taxi that will take us to the airport followed by one hour bus ride to the new cruise terminal in Chioggia. Venice can no longer be an embarkation point - water too shallow for the ship