Weejun, I agree, I spend way too much time on this site. My computer is in my sewing room and when I come in here I automatically log on. I think tomorrow I will read the posts early and then turn my computer off completely and see if I can get some other things done. I hope I don't go through withdrawal!!!!
I read the post while watching TV, so I am not just doing this. I will go off and do other research or play games, then come to check on who has posted. I found once I got caught up, I spend less time here. Miss a few days and it takes forever. I then pick and choose what to read whereas I normally try to read or at least glance at all the topics.
Lynne, when you're in Capri go to the Blue Grotto. The people in the boat ahead of us wore bathing suits and were able to jump out of the boat for a brief swim. That's my idea of heaven.
BRIEGULL: Wow, I had quite a lot of Petrossians caviar when I was fortunate to spend the evening at the home of a famous writer who was able to pay the $$$ to have the caviar shipped in. We were eating it like guacomole if you can believe! It's a matter of shifting my mindset and I don't know why I find it so difficult. The night in Kansas City when I so desperately wanted a nice dinner it was unbelievably crowded at each of the restaurants I peeked into. I'd like to believe if that hadn't been the case I would have gotten up my nerve to go in.
Lynne, I remember Sorrento from when we were in Rome for my 50th birthday. We took a day trip down Amalfi Coast which was so stunning and had an hour or so in Sorrento. Even though it was touristy for sure I still thought I'd enjoy having some time there for the awesome beauty of the place. I loved Rome with a passion. Actually I think I could have handled dinner alone, especiallly sitting outside, in Rome.
Briegull--any advice on Venice? We are going there soon--our 4th time--it is our favorite spot. Taking a cruise from there to Turkey, Croatia and Greece and back to Venice. Want to do some different things this time, haven't done any research yet.
MarilyninMD - I definitely can recommend a place to stay in Venice. We were there for a week Christmas of 2005. It's a small inn boutique style hotel just off the Locanda Orseola just off St. Mark's square. Check our the ravings on trip advisor for that place. Those reviews are what sold me and we were not disappointed. If they have not changed hands they were owned by a young couple with much enthusiasm and good English. Really nice breakfasts including crepes or basically anything to order. They were such a help especially with restaurant recommendations for places we wouldnt have found otherwise. If you read those reviews you'll want to be there NOW. Let me know what you think. We had been planning on staying in Venice for 3 days and then going elsewhere in Italy but after reading those reviews I decided why not just stay in one wonderful place. I still have the really sweet Christmas ornament they left on our bed on Christmas eve - a glass gondola & gondalier. Which cruise line do you use? I've never been on a cruise and am thinking maybe it might not be a bad idea.
Remind me if you do go and I'll see if I can turn up the names of a couple restaurants we liked so much.
Someone mentioned prosecco. I love it and started ordering it here when we returned.
I did a tiny amount of business traveling, and I ate in a really good New York City restaurant alone during one trip. I took a book along with me. I also did an occasional good restaurant at lunch when I was working "downtown" in Orange County, California (I, born and raised in New York City, think it was a downtown, but most people insisted there was no such thing in Orange County). I didn't take a book into the Japanese Restaurant I went to pretty regularly, but I sat at the sushi counter, and was busy with the whole "event" of making sushi there.
Oh, and I LOVE prosecco. From time to time my daughter and her husband will find a good deal and get an extra bottle to bring to me so we can share it. Can't re-cork it, after all. Once it is open you need enough people to drink it up.
I hadn't been to Venice in,truly, fifty years! So I was reaquainting myself with all the obvious things. Other than just walking, walking, walking, I can't recommend too much. I did do a website of that trip, though, so if you're interested it's http://www.briegull.com/Italy06/
The hotel finder I used all over Italy, to great advantage was www.venere.com. I stayed in an absolutely delightful little hotel near the train station (so I could walk there).. the street was completely deserted. Strange. I asked the concierge and he said, well, there's a prison at the other end of the street (3-4 blocks away). Oh! But it was quite safe there.
Terry--Our travel agent already booked us at the Metropole Hotel and it's paid for, otherwise, I would look into your recommendation! Will check it out anyway. Restaurant recommendations would be great.
Briegull--Will check your website. I hope this trip isn't too bittersweet--Venice has always been special to us--I think this will be our last time there together. Fortunately, we are meeting two other couples there (who have never been), so we'll probably just tag along with what they do.
Briegull - THANK YOU for posting your trip report. I just relived by Venice trip pouring over your photos. I hadn't thought about Burano for awhile - it was such fun seeing those amazingly vivid colors absolutely EVERYWHERE. We bought a candelier in Murano which was shipped to us in pieces with the instructions in Italian! Back to your site and on to Rome. What fun!
What I loved in Venice was the boats. We were with an architecture "study" group and had a five-day pass so could take any boat in the canals and to the islands, anytime. I had a lot of fun figuring out the system and then going all over, I don't know how many times we sailed the Grand Canal. Our hotel was on the island Lido so we started each day with a boat ride. Wonderful city. We were warned to bring boots in case of high water, but you don't really need to because you can buy plastic pull-up boots to cover your shoes and shins. We did have some high water to wade through.
Terry--We don't leave for a couple of months. We've never done Murano, Burano or the Lido--would like to this time. Hoping for no high water (acqua alta)?
Back to how AD has changed me - I am retreating. I don't like to answer emails or respond to people. I have two grandkids from my daughter that lives with their dad and his parents. We have not seen them since March and I have no desire to see them. My grandson is ADHD and both are still hurting so bad from my daughter abandoning them. To her credit she has tried calling and sending stuff but they will not let the kids talk to her nor give her anything she sends. Most of what we give them is the first to go to Goodwill or their younger cousins that also live there are allowed to destroy the stuff.
Today I was talking to Art about how bad his reading was and other things I have noticed. It really hurts that he is loosing so quickly. A man who. was not the smartest, but always found a way to support his family, worked hard to make sure we had what we needed. Nothing fancy, never made it to what is considered middle class, but we always had what we needed. Now I think he is torn between giving up - maybe he is wanting this to go fast, to wanting to fight it.
I need to work on finding things we can do for enjoyment, to have some fun while we can.
Charlotte, I'm so sorry for all your challenges with children, inlaws, etc. It's just not fair!
I guess the way AD has changed me is that I don't discuss AD with my husband anymore. He doesn't want to talk about it, and he may (or may not) know that he cannot read anymore.. For as long as I can remember, he has been a Lay Reader in church. About 4-5 years ago, he stood up to read the Lesson of the day, and it was awful. He stumbled, lost his place, and it took everything in me not to get up and go to the lecturn and take over for him. On the way home, he said that of everything he did, he most enjoyed reading in church, and he couldn't believe he made such a mess of it, that he would have to quit. It broke my heart.. Mostly, he has preferred to just not talk about his limitations, and I have honored that. What good would it do him to bring it up now.
I bring up the limitations as a way of letting him know why we are so limited on what Workamp jobs we can do. I haven't decided whether to apply for jobs as a single and hope he can find something to do there or stay here at my sister's where he has the shop to putter in. He still wants to travel so we may do that in September around the NW. We have $500 stashed away - we can travel however much that will allow us. Hopefully gas will start going back down a little then. $2.50 a gal would be nice instead of the $2.90 or so it is now.
That's the beauty of owning an RV. Lucky you! They are comfortable in there...nothing is different inside (to your husband), as motel rooms would be. I hope you can find a little work this year in the South...maybe hire on as a single and then he can be hired later...or do odd jobs to add to the cash kitty. I think you would benefit from the socialization...I'm sure all the campers love you.
MARILYN - Have you read Donna Leon's mysteries all set in Venice? She lives there and writes great little mysteries. I read several before we went and DH and I both read more after we returned. If you haven't give them a try!
HEY CHARLOTTE: What say the four of us get together while DH is in Portland and have some fun? We'd be happy to meet you two somewhere. They might enjoy each other's company. DH used to be fairly reserved, but since dementia he's open and friendly and likes to have a good time.
Terry and Jeanette--yes, I've read one of her books--don't remember the title. I'm not a mystery fan, but enjoyed it because of the location. Didn't know that Aqua Alta was one of the titles--just know it means high water in Italian and that's what the Venetians call the floods! Someday, when I get time to do reading for pleasure again, will try to read more of her work. So far, that's been one of my big frustrations, not much time to read. (Maybe if I spent less time here? But this is my therapy!)