Vienna

I just had to post this photo of Venice. We boarded the water taxi for the trip across the lagoon just as the sun was setting in a magnificent display of colour. The perfect end to a wonderful day.
Early the next morning we were off to Vienna where we attended a Mozart/Strauss concert at the Kersolin. The program featured selections from Mozart as well as wattzes and polkas from all members of the Strauss family. There was a ballrom dance demo as well as numbers from a seprano ( singer, not gangster) and a tenor.
On Thursday we did a city tour. I had a eerie feeling standing before the balcony where Hitler announced the annexation of Austria in the days leading up to WWII. Some members of the group left to attend a presentation by the Lipper...Lippener... Leapp.........those white horses from the Disney movie. I asked about the Vienna Boys Choir and was advised that concerts are held on Sunday evenings. This is definitely a city we will come back to.
In the evening we went to Gumpelbrindercouchinkirkensteinenslaussen for an authentic Austrian meal at a wine tavern where we were entertained ( to a degree) by an accordion player. I think his name was Olie Olayhewho.

The creation of the European Union has made travelling in Europe much easier. There is a common currency in 26 countries and no border checks, until you come to Germany, where their lust for rules and efficiency make for an interesting time:

Germany
Officer - "Plez to be presneting your pazzport."
I oblige.
" You are Osstrailyung, no?"
"No."
"Vas? Zis bus is being fool of Osstrailyungs. Ach, yes, you are Canadian, no?
" No, I am Canadian, yes."
"Ach, you are being mit me the schmart arrrse. Soon you will be to your bus vaving good-bye mitout one schmart arrrse on bort!"

In Ireland it was a different story:
Ireland
Officer - " Now boyo, it says you are Canadian. This ice and snow must make you homesick."
"No, not really."
"Okay, boyo, tirist or terist?"
" Pardon?"
" Whudya here fer boyo, terism or tirism?"
" Um... what's the difference?"
" Terist carry a camera, tirist carry a bom."
" Terist."
"No boms then?"
" No."
" Would you like to buy one? No, boyo, I'm just takin' the piss. No boms? Cross yer heart?"
" Ah...Cross my heart."
" Then off you go boyo. Be sure to have a Guiness. It's good for the langer."

Venice

It was on January 5, 2011 that I reached Venice and got to No. 13 0n Doc Campbell's list, The Doge's Palace!! And wouldn't you know it, The Bridge of Sighs was under repair, but they do an interesting thing here, they cover monuments under repair with tarps bearing a picture of the structure, ergo, the picture of a picture of the bridge. We made two trips into Venice, one in the evening to see the city by night, and a second the next day to do the touristy things like a gondola ride. Our group travelled in a convoy of gondolas with one carrying a singer and accordion player. He sang exactly what you would expect a Gondoliere to sing, Love Me Tender, Yesterday, and Rock Around the Clock. I think we were on the Ryan Air gondola service. Actually he sang Volare and several other popular Italian songs, in Italian, and only switched to the rock stuff after encouragement (tips) from the rowdy Aussies.
We visited the Rialto Bridge, complete with its advertising banners, and then roamed around the city's tiny back
streets looking for leather bargains. Here you can negotiate over price and some people bought leather coats and
jackets at 50% off. Debby found a nice coat for only $1150 but they offered a 30% discount. When Debby came to
we went for a coffee to revive her.

The tide was coming in as we visited St Mark's Square so there were "duck boards" for people to walk on so you wouldn't get wet. These are like low picnic tables and ran from the dock to the main door of the bascilica and The Palace. The flood made the Aussies homesick.

The Aussies are upset by news of the flooding in Queensland but are confident that the government will do a better
job than W did in New Orleans. None of them are directly affected but they all know somebody who is. They live in
places like Tooliranga, and Bungadoolie but do manage to laugh over names like Ecum Secum and Tatimigoosh. They
love the way I say "out" and "about" and think "suck me arse you ignorant bastard" is quaint.

San Marino

San Marino is a small independent republic located within Italy just south of Venice. It dates back to 300AD, long before tax havens and duty free shopping were invented. The city of San Marino, capital of San Marino, is located on the top of a mountain as you can see in these photos. We stayed in a very old hotel in the heart of the old city and had a pre dinner party with the Aussies on our balcony overlooking the Christmas lights of the walled town. As the Aussies would say, "It was migic!"

Note to Leeanne MacLeod-Archer - the streets of San Marino are lined with leather stores where you can buy Italian made shoes and boots for $30 - $1000 many with "come f*** me" heels too! They also sell bags and purses with the average price being $29!!!!!! Leather jackets and coats are even better deals.

Note to Greg Campbell - Arran Single Malt 17 years old - $21!!!!!!!! A 5 year old Glen Grant $10!!!! Wine $3-$6 litre!!!

In the last picture I am not trying to blow out the candle, I'm just hyperventilating after seeing the bill!

Hey Doc! What Do You Think of Me Now?

Doric



Ionic




Corinthian

Athens to San Marino

Jan 1 - we boarded the Superfast ferry at Patras, Greece for an overnight crossing to Ancona, Italy. The dock at Patras was crawling with illegal immigrants from Africa who try to stow away on busses and trucks making the crossing. Our bus driver caught one guy trying to crawl into the engine compartment of our bus and chased him away. Apparently if they are turned over to the police they are beaten then released. No social safety net here. As a matter of fact, the ecomomy of Greece is in such bad shape many restaurants have been forced to reduce their menus to just the basics as evidenced by the first photo.
In the afternoon of Jan 2 we arrived in San Marino, a small, independent country located within Italy. We are staying in the old town and it is an absolute delight. Santa is still around so I couldn't resist a photo op. Duty Free shopping is the order of the day with many leather and shoe shops.
We ended the day with a group dinner where I taught everyone the spoon trick.

A Day for the Doc in Athens

Dec 31 - we visited the Acropolis today which brings me within one of completing the Doc Campbell dozen plus one. It was awe inspiring to stand at a such a time honoured sight . The Acropolis is the hill on which the Parthenon stands as well as the Temple of Nike, the goddess of sneakers. The site is being restored to its previoud glory and should be finished by 2014. Now if those British pricks would just return the Elgin Marbles from the British Museum, the site would be wonderful.
We then visited the Temples of Zeus which provided an opportunity to see both the temple and the Acropolis at the same time.
The third photo is our Aussie friend, Liz whose daughter won a bronze medal in swimming at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and another bronze in shot put at the Sydney Olympics. The guide made a big fuss over this and got her to pose for pictures at the Olympic stadium.

As it was New Year's Eve we went out for a special dinner with our Aussie friends and were in bed by 11. We had a 6am wake up call so we oldtimers decided to have an early evening. The expected New Year's Eve fanfare in Athens did not materialize.

Olympus to Athena

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!I have been out of touch for a few days as internet service in Greece is spotty at best. We had a tour of the ancient site of the original Olympics at Olympia to start the day on Dec 30. The site was larger than I had expected and contained some very interesting ruins. I enjoyed walking the original stadium where athletes competed over 2000 years ago...and in the nude! They only had summer olympics in those days. The adjacent museum contains the marbles and statues from the site and were reassembled as best as could be interpreted.

We then travelled to Athens where we attended an evening tour of the Plaka district and saw the Acropolis by night. The Greeks have a thing for dogs. Stray dogs roam the streets and the people feed them so the amount of dog shit per square meter of sidewalk is astounding. We rode on a small train through the streets and were sometimes close enough to sidewalk cafes to take a beer from a table. Here is a shot of two of our new Aussie friends Liz and Ross from some unpronouncable place.


We ended the evening in a taverna where we dined and danced until the small hours. Debby learned a Greek dance from two women who were dining in the same restaurant and were kind enough to get up and show us how to do a proper Greek dance.


How to speak Aussie:

How do you say "egg"?

NZ - "igg"
Aus - " goog" ( it comes from a chook)
Dave - " ehg"

How do you say "I am full"?

NZ - " I'm fool."
Aus - " I'm chokkers."
Dave - " I'm stuffed."