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May 10, 2009
 

You know you are in Italy when ...

After churning out all the trip logs last night with only one hour of sleep, I magically caught the train in Venice on time and now waiting in the lounge of Rome airport for my flight to Amsterdam. To sum up my first ever Italy trip, I've decided to compile a David Letterman style "Top 10 List" of You know you are in Italy when ... 10. You are getting impatient with those 2-hour dinners and ask for the bill many times but the waiters keep ignoring you and the customers waiting outside. 9. Cars are dirty, beat-up and parked (or double-parked) every where on and off the side walks, with less than 3 inches of distance between them. 8. Cigarette smoking is allowed in restaurants and parents have no problem smoking at their babies and children. 7. You wonder what the hell is cover charge in your bill, on top of a 12% service charge. 6. A cup of cappuccino (€2) is cheaper than a glass of coke (€4), and you hear the American tourist at the next table complaining how absurd that is. 5. 60-year-old are not allowed to sit on the "priority seating" for elderly on the bus as they are reserved for age 70 or above. But you notice that 70% of the passengers are over 80. 4. Men are either slim, handsome, well-groomed or all of the above. 3. If you wear high-heels you will be taller than most of the men. 2. Caucasian women in their 30s wear Hello Kitty clothing and carry Hello Kitty trendy bags. 1. There are 20 ways to flush a toilet.

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Filed under  //   fun   italy  

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May 9, 2009
 

Italy - Day 13 - Venice

My third and last full day in Venice, not sure if it is the crappy hotel room or the enormous amount of walking under the sun, I have not been sleeping well since I arrived here. I missed breakfast again this morning, and feel tired throughout the day.

Just wandering around the city for a few hours after lunch, the map from the hotel is pretty much useless, so I just don't use the map anymore. I kept walking, walking and walking, when I was exhausted, I stopped to grab a coffee. I tried to find The "Bridge of Sighs" (Ponte dei Sospiri) without success, just didn't bother to look it up - somehow I enjoyed this mode - no itinerary, no check-point and no time limit. I took a nap near the shore at Zattere, overlooking Chiesa del Redentore on Isola della Guidecca across the sea. It was terribly relaxing.
After another short nap in the hotel, I went out for dinner at 9 p.m. and landed at a nearby restaurant. It was, as usual, over-priced but I was convinced that I couldn't get any better deal unless I settled for a quick cafe with cold sandwiches. At the end of my meal I met a lovely couple from Liverpool, UK, across the table. We had a very nice chat, I promised to show them around when they visit HK. I am sure they'd be blown away by our food, shopping outlets and competitive prices.
To sum up my stay in Venice: I am quite disappointed. The place is gorgeous but too touristy. Places are packed, everything is over-priced and the service isn't one of the best. The quality of hotel and food, as compared to Rome and Florence, is below par. I wish I had stayed longer in Florence and took a tour to Cinque Terre instead. I nearly went into a Chinese restaurant here today, for I miss Chinese food so much, I guess I'd take a break from pasta and pizza for at least 6 months after I go back. Taking a 4.5 hour train tomorrow back to Rome to catch my flight. See you all back in Hong Kong!

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Filed under  //   italy   travel   venice  

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