in Italia!
We landed a little late, so Franklin was actually there and waiting (Italians are always late. You'll notice the theme). We dropped his stuff in his SUV and went back into the airport to grab our first Italian coffee. It was just over 2 euro for 4.. not bad to me. And pretty darn good. It was just what we needed to perk us all up from the day of vicious travel (you did see the previous post, right? remember how I didn't mention sleeping?).
By the time we all got to Villa-de-Franklin, we were exhausted, but in total awe. His house was amazing, as was Villa Franka (his town). It has a castle. Just on the edge of town. No biggie. But we were so tired that we all just went to bed on reaching his house. Oh - and late night Italian TV is all porn. Mikey was magnetized to the stuff.
[Friday] The first day was the tour of Verona. What a lovely city. We started out by walking under a roman arch, then through various squares to a more medieval section, ending up at what is claimed to be Juliet's house. We all got pictures touching her bare boob (which is the tourist thing to do ... supposedly brings good "luck"). And I got a picture of her balcony.. because... why not? We stoled by the arena next .. a mini-coliseum. And the walking trip ended by heading north through the medieval part of town, over the river and past the old roman amphitheater. On top of the hill, there was a great overview of the city where we stayed while the sun set.
That night was pizza night. Pizza is totally different in italy. The crust is better and the cheese is better -- which makes the sauce completely optional. Fewer toppings, too, but it all works. It was some amazing stuff. And yes, they do have pizzas with sauce - they were great, too.
[Saturday] On the next day, we drove to an overlook in the east side of Garda Lake. I can't explain how magnificent of a view it was; you'll just have to look at the pictures. And the caves we walked through to get up there were a ton of fun. Between my camera's flash and kien's flashlight-phone, we had quite the interesting spelunking adventure. Franklin was not amused (being far too tall for caves).
We drove through the town below the lookout in the pictures and at a sandwich. Unfortunately, everything was closed due to it being off-peak season. But even so you could tell the place was pretty much the German hot-spot. Some of the signs were only in german -- not italian. And after a bit of scenery driving, we stopped at Lazise -- an old walled medieval town. Being in a castle just never feels right. Finally - a gelato. That stuff is money. Oh - and Kien slept at Marchi's in Verona that night. Along the way, was stopped to see one of the coolest churches in Verona. It was huge & lovely. And the inside ain't to shabby either.
[Sunday] The daytrip to Venice. I never thought I'd go to that city -- far too exotic. Too special. Too much of a photographer's dream. Let me tell you, I had PLENTY of space on my memory cards that day.
By the time we all got to Villa-de-Franklin, we were exhausted, but in total awe. His house was amazing, as was Villa Franka (his town). It has a castle. Just on the edge of town. No biggie. But we were so tired that we all just went to bed on reaching his house. Oh - and late night Italian TV is all porn. Mikey was magnetized to the stuff.
[Friday] The first day was the tour of Verona. What a lovely city. We started out by walking under a roman arch, then through various squares to a more medieval section, ending up at what is claimed to be Juliet's house. We all got pictures touching her bare boob (which is the tourist thing to do ... supposedly brings good "luck"). And I got a picture of her balcony.. because... why not? We stoled by the arena next .. a mini-coliseum. And the walking trip ended by heading north through the medieval part of town, over the river and past the old roman amphitheater. On top of the hill, there was a great overview of the city where we stayed while the sun set.
That night was pizza night. Pizza is totally different in italy. The crust is better and the cheese is better -- which makes the sauce completely optional. Fewer toppings, too, but it all works. It was some amazing stuff. And yes, they do have pizzas with sauce - they were great, too.
[Saturday] On the next day, we drove to an overlook in the east side of Garda Lake. I can't explain how magnificent of a view it was; you'll just have to look at the pictures. And the caves we walked through to get up there were a ton of fun. Between my camera's flash and kien's flashlight-phone, we had quite the interesting spelunking adventure. Franklin was not amused (being far too tall for caves).
We drove through the town below the lookout in the pictures and at a sandwich. Unfortunately, everything was closed due to it being off-peak season. But even so you could tell the place was pretty much the German hot-spot. Some of the signs were only in german -- not italian. And after a bit of scenery driving, we stopped at Lazise -- an old walled medieval town. Being in a castle just never feels right. Finally - a gelato. That stuff is money. Oh - and Kien slept at Marchi's in Verona that night. Along the way, was stopped to see one of the coolest churches in Verona. It was huge & lovely. And the inside ain't to shabby either.
[Sunday] The daytrip to Venice. I never thought I'd go to that city -- far too exotic. Too special. Too much of a photographer's dream. Let me tell you, I had PLENTY of space on my memory cards that day.
