9-9-08 through 9-10: Mestre & Venice, Surprise No. 1

9/9:
We arrived on schedule, all luggage arrived intact on visual inspection. Checked into a hotel, after pulling our loads behind us - bike luggages, and two duffle bags loaded onto our folding truck. We navigated the streets from the bus stop at 11pm, found our hotel, and went to bed. This morning we left our luggage at the hotel, and went on foot to look around, ask questions regarding leaving luggage. This is the first surprise: nowhere in the area could we store our boxes for more than 5 days! This can spell a disaster. We based our trip on information given in our cycling book. Yes, Lonely Planet Guide. It said we could store long term at train stations. Not so. So now we are all stressed out on the subject.

9/10:
At 7pm, we were to meet with our hosts, Stefano, and Germana. We are to spend the next two nights with them while we tour Venice on foot. Stefano, and his wife Germana are the sweetest people. They received us warmly, and were very helpful with bike issues, as they are themselves avid cyclists. In fact, Stefano is involved with the Italian Cycling Federation (FIAB)managing its website. This organization is responsible for bike developing bike paths around the country, and their members are all cycling enthusiasts.

When Stefano, and Germana found out about our situation, they offered us a place for the luggage. Otherwise, we have no idea what we would come up with.

So we go to Venice feeling better. Walked around town, rode the boats, savored coffee, gelato, and other Italian delights. Venice was sweltering hot, but fantastic, romantic, and a must-see!
As we were taking a short break sitting on San Marcos Square, Elaine got "indoctrinated" by a local pigeon...bulls eye!