The Sinking City

What a weekend. I have so much to catch y'all up on. I want to start off with this: Happy (late) Father's Day to the best Dad I could ever ask for. I am so blessed to have this man as a Dad and I love him more than anything. It has been so long since I have been able to be with my Dad on Father's Day and I miss him so much.

Friday night was a pretty reminiscent night for all of us. We finally made it to the Hard Rock for the American-esque food that we had all been craving for so long. It was a small slice of the States that I know I truly needed. The table was filled with burgers and salads and beers. We discovered that we all have a deep love for mayonnaise and that we all had been missing mayo very much. For the first time ever, I found a group of people who love mayonnaise just as much as I do. Out of all the things to miss, mayonnaise is evidently at the top of my list. Sorry if that grosses you out. The rest of dinner we talked about what we liked to do at home, music, memories, and family. Bryn and I had to get a chocolate milkshake obviously because I haven't been able to find a place that serves milkshakes here. Then weirdly enough while we were waiting on the waitress to bring the check, she tells us that we have to evacuate the building because the building next door has a gas leak of some sort and we had to get out, but not before paying. I so thought we were going to get away with a free dinner, which ultimately we probably could have, but nope.

One of my favorite things about Florence is night time. The city is so beautiful and not many people are out and it is absolutely incredible. On the way home we came across a street show and decided to stop and watch.

On Saturday, we woke up and took a three hour bus ride to Venice through a tour guide company called Florence for Fun. As soon as we got on the bus, there was already a big group of juniors and seniors in high school on our bus. As snobby as it may sound, I have never been more annoyed by high schoolers in my life. It started off with their chaperone who was a male teacher sitting right behind us. This guy was named Mr. Funsucker. He was the absolute worst.
We stopped at a rest stop to use the restroom and as soon as he got back on he was yelling at the high school girls saying they take way to much time in the bathroom. (Sorry bud, it's not as convenient for us.) I don't think this man had ever smiled in his life. As the bus ride went on, I heard a concert of what sounded like KidsBop 2012. The kids were singing anything from Shania Twain to My Chemical Romance to Justin Bieber. We then had to take a 30 minute train ride into Venice. Of course, we picked the train cab were the air conditioning was broken #firstworldproblems. The train ride in reminded me of the long bridge into New Orleans with water on both sides and being able to see the city from far away. I was so glad to finally get there. As soon as we got there we took a water taxi to the Basilica of Saint Mark. The water taxi was probably my favorite part of the day because we were just riding down the Grand Canal and I kept seeing images of Casino Royale. Venice looks exactly like you think it would. I could have just ridden around in the water taxi all day. When we got to the Basilica, there were so many people around. It was ridiculous. We went to a glass blowing demonstration which was incredible to watch. We then went on a walking tour all around Venice. Instead of telling you all about the day, I'm just gonna show you pictures.

Right outside the train station 

Taxi Ride 

Glass Blowing demonstration

Horse

Token Lunch Pic

The birds in front of St. Mark's

Just call her bird lady 

My reaction to a bird grabbing my neck

Our glass rings

St. Mark's Basilica 

We rode a gondola for 2 minutes across the river. Check that off the list. 

Bryn and I

Our new friend James

HAHAHAHAHA we have no clue who this man is

Once was Steve Job's home 

Dreamin' of yachts

Woody Allen's home in Venice

Yet another leaning tower

Fruity drink native to Italy that I can't remember the name of

On the way home, we watched "Love Actually" which thanks to Phillip's sister, Riley, I finally got to see this year. Thanks for letting me borrow your movie Riley! This line sums up the attitude of the high schoolers on the bus: "We can't wear short shorts but we can watch this movie?" Needless to say, Mr. Funsucker was none too happy that we were watching this movie because it was rated R. And I got to hear about it the entire way home. He had to comment on every scene. I was so happy to finally get off that bus and back to the apartment at about 11:30. It was an overall great day and I was very happy to see Venice seeing as one day it may be under water since it sinks two and half inches every year. 

Yesterday we went to Viareggo beach with our SAI program. It was a much needed day of sun. There were only seven of us including our SAI director, Camilla, who we've grown to get to know very well. The beach was so long, as in from the road to the water. There were rows and rows of umbrellas and chairs. There were so many Italians on the beach wearing swimsuits that were too small for them. And I got a sight of some things that I did not want to see because I think a few ladies were a little confused and thought it was a topless beach. It was a shock to say the least. But kinda funny at the same time. Another annoying thing is that solicitors will come up to you every five minutes holding purses, bracelets and any kind of junk you can imagine. They get in your face and say "special price just for you." That is one thing I will not miss when I get home. We laid out for a bit and then ate our lives away. We had a literal five course meal with seafood pasta, tomato pasta, tempura fried seafood and vegetables, salads, and ice cream. The food just kept coming and coming and coming. It was ridiculous but so delicious. I didn't get many pictures from this day but you know that I got pictures of the food. It was so good and free (which made it that much better). We laid out for a while more under the blistering sun and then rode the train back into town. 

So much fried goodness

I luckily called my family while they were all sitting around the dining room table so I was able to talk to everyone. It was so nice because I felt like I was there. We gave Daddy an iPad for father's day. He looked so cute wearing his glasses and playing with his iPad. The family was having a discussion of which year was better for music: 1985 or 1988. Random years, I know but those are the years my siblings were born. Claire was rooting for 1985, her birth year, and Russ for 1988, his birth year. They were looking at Billboard's Top 100 on Dad's iPad and Dad was saying which songs were the best. They tied, naturally, but I'm pretty sure that '85 wins truthfully. It made me wish I was sitting there with them. I haven't been at home for a Father's Day in four years because I have been at Young Life camps every year. I love my dad so much. 

Oh, listen to this. When I left, I told my brother he could drive my car while I was gone because he loves the Tahoe so much more than his Silverado. But little did I know that he would decide to make it his own. He emailed me this picture.

HE PUT A DRAKE STICKER ON THE BACK OF MY CAR. Truthfully, I don't even know or care to know what Drake is. But I told him to that that off as quickly as he put it on there. I never thought that letting him borrow the car would turn into him literally taking it as his own. He can save the Drake and Ducks Unlimited Stickers for his own car. If I get back and that is still on my car, it may be WW3. 

That was super long but that was the weekend. I'm almost half way through with my trip here. Crazy to think about. I miss everyone at home. I hope y'all have a great day!