Venice

We loved the Cinque Terre so much we tried to stay an extra day. But it was an Italian holiday and everything was booked up. So we hit the college town of Bologna for a day. There's noting to special about it, it's a medium sized town that has a major university. The one good thing is that it's cheap, a rarity in Italy. So after resting up, we headed for Venice for our friends' wedding.

Well, I'm sure you don't need to hear from me how beautiful Venice is. It's quite an amazing city that has a look (and price) like no other. I live in the other Venice (California) so it also holds a special connection to me.

But we weren't here just for scenery. Our friends John and Patty decided to have a destination wedding here. And after this experience, I might just have to do the same some day. Our second night in town some of the wedding guests threw a party at their unbelievable apartment they rented. This place was amazing - a high-end 3 bedroom modern apartment right on the grand canal. It was really cool to see people I knew on the far side of the world. Even those there that I barely know back in Los Angeles become instant close friends just by the fact that were meeting up halfway around the world.

The next day John and Patty got married at this small palace in a non-touristy part of town. Afterwards they had water taxis shuttle us thru the small canal alleys to an extravagant hotel on the grand canal. We ate dinner at a rooftop terrace hotel restaurant. Now everybody says how good the food in Italy is, and I'm always skeptical since I'm not all that into Italian food (don't get me wrong, I like it, but I'll take sushi over Italian anyday) but this was one of the BEST meals I've ever had the pleasure of eating. It was 6 courses! The salad alone was amazing - it had lobster and truffles. On top of all that, the view of the grand canal at sunset was just as amazing. Needless to say I was impressed. After dinner they moved us inside to a private room for cake and coffee. There were speeches and hugs, when it was all over we said our goodbyes.

It was also the last night for Ariel and I. The next morning I took a train to Rome and she headed for the Dolomites. My trip is coming to a close, but the party's not quite over yet.