Day 11, Paris to Venice, September 30th

Get lost in Venice?  Check.

Woke up this morning, briefly chatted with our new German roommate, and then checked out.  Went to a laundromat for about two hours, which was surprisingly expensive.

We then rented bikes for two hours (no helmets!).  It reminded me of driving in England, but the speeds and stakes were lower.  Visited many of the sights we had already seen: Eiffel Tower, River Seine, Tulliers, Obelisk, Champ de élysées, Arc D'triumph.  Then hurried to lock bikes and pick up luggage from hostel.

Took a few metros to Orly airport, then slowly figured out security.  Reiter had bought a glass Eiffel Tower filled with brandy, but it was over the liquid limit to they threw it away :(.  Plane arrived late and was poorly coordinated, but eventually we left.

Landed in Italy and took a bus to Venice.  I love Venice already.  Hostel is great.  The rooms are scattered all over the city, and completely disassociated from one another.  We are in a room at least 15x15, with our own bathroom, and it's less money than Paris.

The novelty of the canals mixed with the authenticity of the buildings inspired us to take the half hour walk to San Marco, leaving the hostel at 10:30.  Mask and glass stores everywhere, as well as pizza and gelatto.

Got to San Marco at about 11.  I had a different image in mind, but pretty.  Then, decided to take a different way back and got hopelessly lost.  Passed the same place several times. Pulled out my compass app and with the map we eventually found our way back to well lit streets and home.  Excited for tomorrow!

My thoughts on Paris were a bit lukewarm.  The government needs to get the panhandlers under control, and their abundance shows either a lack of will, power, or interest.  It was super touristy most places we went, and, despite exploring numerous side streets, I never saw the Paris of my imagination. All the lovely little cafes and bistros were grossly overpriced.  Souvenir shops inside cathedrals just completed the picture for me.  It felt like a normal, mid-tier city that just happened to have some national landmarks, but, instead of treating them with respect, Paris wanted to squeeze them for all they were worth.  I get the sense that the Paris of movies comes from an older time when travel was harder, the tourists richer, and the streets less filled with people trying to take advantage of you and more filled with skilled performers.  I saw not one mime!  By comparison, London felt like a living, breathing, important city that just happened to have some national treasures, and was willing to share them if you promised to appreciate them and much as the natives did.

FYI, Internet is super spotty out here, so this message is going out late.

Miss you all!