Anne here. 
No, I'm not in Venice (more's the pity) I'm just a wistful virtual tourist heading towards a deadline and chained to my computer, while watching my friends gadding about the world. Pat, Mary Jo and Andrea, after speaking at the RNA conference, are separately and together exploring various corners of the UK — Scotland, England and Ireland, and Susanna is in Denver, Colorado, at the RWA conference. Add to that a number of other friends also overseas and posting glorious photos on FaceBook, and . . . my feet are itchy.
I love travel, but in the last few years the only time I've been away has been work related — conferences usually, with a bit of sight-seeing on the side. So I thought I'd share a story about a trip I made many years ago when I was backpacking solo around the world for almost a year. Travelling alone is not as daring or as foolish as it might sound — I was nervous to start with, but I soon learned that when you're on your own, you meet nice people so much more easily than when you're travelling in a pair. And I was always pretty careful.
This story takes place on one of the last legs of my journey. I was leaving Greece, and sailing up to Venice (where I'd been a month earlier) and then heading for Switzerland, where I would fly out to Asia.
I caught the ship in Piraeus (the port area of Athens). It had sailed from Egypt to Piraeus via Crete, and was heading for Venice, passing through the Corinth Canal. It was a big ferry, rather than a cruise ship, carrying cars and people and all sorts, and there were two overnights (or maybe three, I can't recall) so I'd lashed out and booked a bunk — sharing a cabin with whoever the company placed me with — rather than sleep in a chair.
I was put in with an elegant little old Italian lady, who smiled, said "Buongiorno" and took to her bed for the entire trip — except for meals, when she put away more pasta than you'd imagine a little old lady could. So it was a very easy share situation. All I had to do was creep in and out and not wake her.
One night it must have been a little rough because when I woke in the morning, I saw my shoes had slipped across the floor and were resting against hers. I'd been wearing runners I'd bought in the USA, built for comfort and lots of walking; hers were a dainty pair of Italian leather shoes, half the size of mine, designed purely for gorgeousness. My feet are not that big but the contrast in size and style made me laugh. They looked like the shoes for different species.
I spent most of the trip out of the cabin, on deck, gazing at the scenery that slipped past, spotting dolphins—magical, joyous creatures—and, while we were passing through the Corinth Canal, steering the ship. Not really, but wow, there wasn't much room between those towering stone walls. It felt like I could reach out and touch the sides. And the variations in the stone strata were fascinating.
I pretty soon met other people, including another woman travelling solo. She was a German girl who'd been living in Crete for some years, but who'd broken up with her Greek boyfriend and was moving back to Germany — driving a Kombi-van filled with all her possessions. Her English was brilliant, and she spoke Greek and Italian as well.
We got on really well, and met each morning for breakfast, and spent the rest of the day spotting dolphins, talking, and swapping books. And eating the delicious Italian food provided at each meal. On the last day she offered to give me a lift up to Switzerland. I, of course, was delighted to accept.
We sailed into Venice at dawn. It was early December, so it was cold, but not bitter. The sea was mirror calm but shrouded in drifts of fog. As the ship drew closer, Venice appeared, floating in the fog, all rose and gold and silver in the dawn, like some magic mythical place that might disappear if you blinked. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and if you ever get a chance to sail into Venice at dawn, take it. 
So then it was time to disembark. My friend went to the area where her van was parked, but I had to disembark down a separate gangway for travellers on foot, so we arranged for us to meet ashore. As a lowly backpacker, I was one of the last to leave, and as I walked down the gangway, I saw my friend, waiting beside her Kombi.
There were uniformed police and customs officers everywhere. And at the bottom of the gangway stood two uniformed men and a beautiful Alsation dog. Now recall, dear reader, I had been away from home for the best part of a year, and was particularly missing my dog. So I walked down the gangway and without thinking, I stopped, bent down and started patting the dog.
Cue loud noices of frustration and uniformed hands thrown up in very Italian disgust. It occurred to me then that I probably shouldn't have patted a police or customs dog, but when I started to apologise, the men waved me on impatiently.
When my friend stopped laughing, she explained. They'd asked her why she hadn't driven away and she'd told them she was waiting for a friend. (And remember the ship had started in Egypt.)
Who was this friend?
A woman she met on the ship. An Australian backpacker.
So you never met her before?
No.
But you're giving her a lift?
Yes.
Apparently there was a bit of Aha-ing and some hurried consultation, and then several more customs men gathered eagerly at the gangway. Clearly they were expecting some desperate foreign backpacking hippy drug smuggler.
And then the desperate foreign backpacking hippy drug smuggler went and patted the drug-sniffing dog and told him what a good boy he was.
After that, we drove north through some beautiful country, and when we got near the Swiss border, I hopped out, said goodbye to my German friend, and caught a train to Zurich. It was only a few days out of a year of wonderful travel and adventure, but I've never forgotten that trip and the magic of sailing into Venice at dawn. And the disappointment and disgust of the customs guys when I patted their dog.
So what about you? Are you itching to travel somewhere? Ever taken a trip that turned out magical? Or are you happy to stay comfortably at home and indulge in a bit of virtual travel, in books or on line?
Hi Anne
What a brilliant memory. I backpacked a lot around Europe as a student and it ticked many boxes in terms of experience. My friend and I took the ferry from Patras to Brindisi and so with only one night on board, we did not pay for a cabin – boy that was a cold night but the sunrise was fabulous. We had to get home so trained it non-stop from the toe of Italy to Paris. But I finally got to Venice 25 years later and it was worth the wait. My husband is an Alsatian lover and he thought your story was great too.
Alice
Hi Anne
What a brilliant memory. I backpacked a lot around Europe as a student and it ticked many boxes in terms of experience. My friend and I took the ferry from Patras to Brindisi and so with only one night on board, we did not pay for a cabin – boy that was a cold night but the sunrise was fabulous. We had to get home so trained it non-stop from the toe of Italy to Paris. But I finally got to Venice 25 years later and it was worth the wait. My husband is an Alsatian lover and he thought your story was great too.
Alice
Hi Anne
What a brilliant memory. I backpacked a lot around Europe as a student and it ticked many boxes in terms of experience. My friend and I took the ferry from Patras to Brindisi and so with only one night on board, we did not pay for a cabin – boy that was a cold night but the sunrise was fabulous. We had to get home so trained it non-stop from the toe of Italy to Paris. But I finally got to Venice 25 years later and it was worth the wait. My husband is an Alsatian lover and he thought your story was great too.
Alice
Hi Anne
What a brilliant memory. I backpacked a lot around Europe as a student and it ticked many boxes in terms of experience. My friend and I took the ferry from Patras to Brindisi and so with only one night on board, we did not pay for a cabin – boy that was a cold night but the sunrise was fabulous. We had to get home so trained it non-stop from the toe of Italy to Paris. But I finally got to Venice 25 years later and it was worth the wait. My husband is an Alsatian lover and he thought your story was great too.
Alice
Hi Anne
What a brilliant memory. I backpacked a lot around Europe as a student and it ticked many boxes in terms of experience. My friend and I took the ferry from Patras to Brindisi and so with only one night on board, we did not pay for a cabin – boy that was a cold night but the sunrise was fabulous. We had to get home so trained it non-stop from the toe of Italy to Paris. But I finally got to Venice 25 years later and it was worth the wait. My husband is an Alsatian lover and he thought your story was great too.
Alice
Thanks, Alice. I took the Ferry from Brindisi to Corfu, and sat up for it too but it wasn’t that cold at the time — or at least I don’t remember it being cold. That’s a long train trip. I spent a lot of time on trains that year, as I had a Eurail pass. I used the Thomas Cook guide to pick out the most scenic rail trips and crammed as many of them into my month of Eurail travel as I could. Ah those were the days.
Thanks, Alice. I took the Ferry from Brindisi to Corfu, and sat up for it too but it wasn’t that cold at the time — or at least I don’t remember it being cold. That’s a long train trip. I spent a lot of time on trains that year, as I had a Eurail pass. I used the Thomas Cook guide to pick out the most scenic rail trips and crammed as many of them into my month of Eurail travel as I could. Ah those were the days.
Thanks, Alice. I took the Ferry from Brindisi to Corfu, and sat up for it too but it wasn’t that cold at the time — or at least I don’t remember it being cold. That’s a long train trip. I spent a lot of time on trains that year, as I had a Eurail pass. I used the Thomas Cook guide to pick out the most scenic rail trips and crammed as many of them into my month of Eurail travel as I could. Ah those were the days.
Thanks, Alice. I took the Ferry from Brindisi to Corfu, and sat up for it too but it wasn’t that cold at the time — or at least I don’t remember it being cold. That’s a long train trip. I spent a lot of time on trains that year, as I had a Eurail pass. I used the Thomas Cook guide to pick out the most scenic rail trips and crammed as many of them into my month of Eurail travel as I could. Ah those were the days.
Thanks, Alice. I took the Ferry from Brindisi to Corfu, and sat up for it too but it wasn’t that cold at the time — or at least I don’t remember it being cold. That’s a long train trip. I spent a lot of time on trains that year, as I had a Eurail pass. I used the Thomas Cook guide to pick out the most scenic rail trips and crammed as many of them into my month of Eurail travel as I could. Ah those were the days.
What a fun story, Anne Gracie! I’ve never been to Venice though perhaps one day. I’m happy to do some traveling but I’ll admit that I’m equally happy to stay home with a good book. My last big trip was from the US to South Korea where my daughter has been teaching English for the last five years. She’s pondering the idea of going to NZ to do a degree in librarianship. If she does go there, I foresee a visit.
What a fun story, Anne Gracie! I’ve never been to Venice though perhaps one day. I’m happy to do some traveling but I’ll admit that I’m equally happy to stay home with a good book. My last big trip was from the US to South Korea where my daughter has been teaching English for the last five years. She’s pondering the idea of going to NZ to do a degree in librarianship. If she does go there, I foresee a visit.
What a fun story, Anne Gracie! I’ve never been to Venice though perhaps one day. I’m happy to do some traveling but I’ll admit that I’m equally happy to stay home with a good book. My last big trip was from the US to South Korea where my daughter has been teaching English for the last five years. She’s pondering the idea of going to NZ to do a degree in librarianship. If she does go there, I foresee a visit.
What a fun story, Anne Gracie! I’ve never been to Venice though perhaps one day. I’m happy to do some traveling but I’ll admit that I’m equally happy to stay home with a good book. My last big trip was from the US to South Korea where my daughter has been teaching English for the last five years. She’s pondering the idea of going to NZ to do a degree in librarianship. If she does go there, I foresee a visit.
What a fun story, Anne Gracie! I’ve never been to Venice though perhaps one day. I’m happy to do some traveling but I’ll admit that I’m equally happy to stay home with a good book. My last big trip was from the US to South Korea where my daughter has been teaching English for the last five years. She’s pondering the idea of going to NZ to do a degree in librarianship. If she does go there, I foresee a visit.
My hat is off to you Miss Anne Gracie. I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to travel alone like that. My traveling days are over now, and I do enjoy hearing stories like yours.
I did have the opportunity to visit Venice many years ago (mid 1960s) and I remember it as being interesting and beautiful. One thing that struck me as odd back then was the number of feral cats running around the city. It seemed to me that there were almost as many cats a people (an exaggeration). Several years later I was watching a movie filmed in Venice and it showed a rat scurrying along the canal, and I suddenly realized WHY there would be so many cats. (smile)
My hat is off to you Miss Anne Gracie. I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to travel alone like that. My traveling days are over now, and I do enjoy hearing stories like yours.
I did have the opportunity to visit Venice many years ago (mid 1960s) and I remember it as being interesting and beautiful. One thing that struck me as odd back then was the number of feral cats running around the city. It seemed to me that there were almost as many cats a people (an exaggeration). Several years later I was watching a movie filmed in Venice and it showed a rat scurrying along the canal, and I suddenly realized WHY there would be so many cats. (smile)
My hat is off to you Miss Anne Gracie. I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to travel alone like that. My traveling days are over now, and I do enjoy hearing stories like yours.
I did have the opportunity to visit Venice many years ago (mid 1960s) and I remember it as being interesting and beautiful. One thing that struck me as odd back then was the number of feral cats running around the city. It seemed to me that there were almost as many cats a people (an exaggeration). Several years later I was watching a movie filmed in Venice and it showed a rat scurrying along the canal, and I suddenly realized WHY there would be so many cats. (smile)
My hat is off to you Miss Anne Gracie. I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to travel alone like that. My traveling days are over now, and I do enjoy hearing stories like yours.
I did have the opportunity to visit Venice many years ago (mid 1960s) and I remember it as being interesting and beautiful. One thing that struck me as odd back then was the number of feral cats running around the city. It seemed to me that there were almost as many cats a people (an exaggeration). Several years later I was watching a movie filmed in Venice and it showed a rat scurrying along the canal, and I suddenly realized WHY there would be so many cats. (smile)
My hat is off to you Miss Anne Gracie. I don’t think I would ever have had the courage to travel alone like that. My traveling days are over now, and I do enjoy hearing stories like yours.
I did have the opportunity to visit Venice many years ago (mid 1960s) and I remember it as being interesting and beautiful. One thing that struck me as odd back then was the number of feral cats running around the city. It seemed to me that there were almost as many cats a people (an exaggeration). Several years later I was watching a movie filmed in Venice and it showed a rat scurrying along the canal, and I suddenly realized WHY there would be so many cats. (smile)
Kareni, how interesting that your daughter has been teaching in Korea for five years. That’s such a commitment — clearly she’s enjoying it. And how wonderful to visit Korea with an almost local guide. If she does go to study in NZ you should try to visit — it’s a beautiful little gem of a country, and very easy to get around.
Kareni, how interesting that your daughter has been teaching in Korea for five years. That’s such a commitment — clearly she’s enjoying it. And how wonderful to visit Korea with an almost local guide. If she does go to study in NZ you should try to visit — it’s a beautiful little gem of a country, and very easy to get around.
Kareni, how interesting that your daughter has been teaching in Korea for five years. That’s such a commitment — clearly she’s enjoying it. And how wonderful to visit Korea with an almost local guide. If she does go to study in NZ you should try to visit — it’s a beautiful little gem of a country, and very easy to get around.
Kareni, how interesting that your daughter has been teaching in Korea for five years. That’s such a commitment — clearly she’s enjoying it. And how wonderful to visit Korea with an almost local guide. If she does go to study in NZ you should try to visit — it’s a beautiful little gem of a country, and very easy to get around.
Kareni, how interesting that your daughter has been teaching in Korea for five years. That’s such a commitment — clearly she’s enjoying it. And how wonderful to visit Korea with an almost local guide. If she does go to study in NZ you should try to visit — it’s a beautiful little gem of a country, and very easy to get around.
Mary, at the time I had no choice — not many people can get a year’s leave from their work. And though I was initially nervous, when you’re young, you’re adaptable, and honestly, I met so many lovely people along the way, people I wouldn’t have if I’d been with a friend. And of course, I didn’t take foolish risks.
Love your story of the feral cats in Venice — and yes, they’d be keeping the rat population under control. I don’t remember lots of cats when I was in Venice, but there were quite a few on Corfu, where I stayed for two weeks. There were some skinny little kittens that I fed and tried to pet, but they stayed wild.
Mary, at the time I had no choice — not many people can get a year’s leave from their work. And though I was initially nervous, when you’re young, you’re adaptable, and honestly, I met so many lovely people along the way, people I wouldn’t have if I’d been with a friend. And of course, I didn’t take foolish risks.
Love your story of the feral cats in Venice — and yes, they’d be keeping the rat population under control. I don’t remember lots of cats when I was in Venice, but there were quite a few on Corfu, where I stayed for two weeks. There were some skinny little kittens that I fed and tried to pet, but they stayed wild.
Mary, at the time I had no choice — not many people can get a year’s leave from their work. And though I was initially nervous, when you’re young, you’re adaptable, and honestly, I met so many lovely people along the way, people I wouldn’t have if I’d been with a friend. And of course, I didn’t take foolish risks.
Love your story of the feral cats in Venice — and yes, they’d be keeping the rat population under control. I don’t remember lots of cats when I was in Venice, but there were quite a few on Corfu, where I stayed for two weeks. There were some skinny little kittens that I fed and tried to pet, but they stayed wild.
Mary, at the time I had no choice — not many people can get a year’s leave from their work. And though I was initially nervous, when you’re young, you’re adaptable, and honestly, I met so many lovely people along the way, people I wouldn’t have if I’d been with a friend. And of course, I didn’t take foolish risks.
Love your story of the feral cats in Venice — and yes, they’d be keeping the rat population under control. I don’t remember lots of cats when I was in Venice, but there were quite a few on Corfu, where I stayed for two weeks. There were some skinny little kittens that I fed and tried to pet, but they stayed wild.
Mary, at the time I had no choice — not many people can get a year’s leave from their work. And though I was initially nervous, when you’re young, you’re adaptable, and honestly, I met so many lovely people along the way, people I wouldn’t have if I’d been with a friend. And of course, I didn’t take foolish risks.
Love your story of the feral cats in Venice — and yes, they’d be keeping the rat population under control. I don’t remember lots of cats when I was in Venice, but there were quite a few on Corfu, where I stayed for two weeks. There were some skinny little kittens that I fed and tried to pet, but they stayed wild.
Italy has been taking security REALLY seriously in recent years. It was a point strongly driven home in Bologna, where the main square had soldiers guarding one end, Carabinieri (military police) at another, regular police at yet another end, and more Carabinieri guarding the cathedral!
As you would know, travel from Australia is a nightmare. The last time I went to Venice (last year), it took *45* hours to get there!
I always say: ‘Why do I keep doing this to myself?’ And yet I’m going to Ireland next month, England tge month after that, and China the month after that. I’m already traumatised!
Italy has been taking security REALLY seriously in recent years. It was a point strongly driven home in Bologna, where the main square had soldiers guarding one end, Carabinieri (military police) at another, regular police at yet another end, and more Carabinieri guarding the cathedral!
As you would know, travel from Australia is a nightmare. The last time I went to Venice (last year), it took *45* hours to get there!
I always say: ‘Why do I keep doing this to myself?’ And yet I’m going to Ireland next month, England tge month after that, and China the month after that. I’m already traumatised!
Italy has been taking security REALLY seriously in recent years. It was a point strongly driven home in Bologna, where the main square had soldiers guarding one end, Carabinieri (military police) at another, regular police at yet another end, and more Carabinieri guarding the cathedral!
As you would know, travel from Australia is a nightmare. The last time I went to Venice (last year), it took *45* hours to get there!
I always say: ‘Why do I keep doing this to myself?’ And yet I’m going to Ireland next month, England tge month after that, and China the month after that. I’m already traumatised!
Italy has been taking security REALLY seriously in recent years. It was a point strongly driven home in Bologna, where the main square had soldiers guarding one end, Carabinieri (military police) at another, regular police at yet another end, and more Carabinieri guarding the cathedral!
As you would know, travel from Australia is a nightmare. The last time I went to Venice (last year), it took *45* hours to get there!
I always say: ‘Why do I keep doing this to myself?’ And yet I’m going to Ireland next month, England tge month after that, and China the month after that. I’m already traumatised!
Italy has been taking security REALLY seriously in recent years. It was a point strongly driven home in Bologna, where the main square had soldiers guarding one end, Carabinieri (military police) at another, regular police at yet another end, and more Carabinieri guarding the cathedral!
As you would know, travel from Australia is a nightmare. The last time I went to Venice (last year), it took *45* hours to get there!
I always say: ‘Why do I keep doing this to myself?’ And yet I’m going to Ireland next month, England tge month after that, and China the month after that. I’m already traumatised!
*the* month 🙂
*the* month 🙂
*the* month 🙂
*the* month 🙂
*the* month 🙂
i wish I’d been there! What a fabulous snippet of your journey. And I bet those Italian cops are still scratching their heads and mumbling about the desperate backpacking hippie drug smuggler.
i wish I’d been there! What a fabulous snippet of your journey. And I bet those Italian cops are still scratching their heads and mumbling about the desperate backpacking hippie drug smuggler.
i wish I’d been there! What a fabulous snippet of your journey. And I bet those Italian cops are still scratching their heads and mumbling about the desperate backpacking hippie drug smuggler.
i wish I’d been there! What a fabulous snippet of your journey. And I bet those Italian cops are still scratching their heads and mumbling about the desperate backpacking hippie drug smuggler.
i wish I’d been there! What a fabulous snippet of your journey. And I bet those Italian cops are still scratching their heads and mumbling about the desperate backpacking hippie drug smuggler.
Ma’am, what a perfect example of the wonderfulness of people all over the world.
Even though you made friends with a professional dog (I would have done the same thing), it seems all those customs people should have been happy that you were simply a nice person. I mean isn’t it good that there are more nice people than rabid criminals?
Thanks for sharing the sunrise over Venice.
Ma’am, what a perfect example of the wonderfulness of people all over the world.
Even though you made friends with a professional dog (I would have done the same thing), it seems all those customs people should have been happy that you were simply a nice person. I mean isn’t it good that there are more nice people than rabid criminals?
Thanks for sharing the sunrise over Venice.
Ma’am, what a perfect example of the wonderfulness of people all over the world.
Even though you made friends with a professional dog (I would have done the same thing), it seems all those customs people should have been happy that you were simply a nice person. I mean isn’t it good that there are more nice people than rabid criminals?
Thanks for sharing the sunrise over Venice.
Ma’am, what a perfect example of the wonderfulness of people all over the world.
Even though you made friends with a professional dog (I would have done the same thing), it seems all those customs people should have been happy that you were simply a nice person. I mean isn’t it good that there are more nice people than rabid criminals?
Thanks for sharing the sunrise over Venice.
Ma’am, what a perfect example of the wonderfulness of people all over the world.
Even though you made friends with a professional dog (I would have done the same thing), it seems all those customs people should have been happy that you were simply a nice person. I mean isn’t it good that there are more nice people than rabid criminals?
Thanks for sharing the sunrise over Venice.
Yes, Sonya, this was quite a few years ago. I’m sure they’d be a lot more vigilant (and less amused) these days.
And yes, the long trip from Australia to Europe or the USA is exhausting. But the rest of the world is enticing, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Ireland, England and China.
Yes, Sonya, this was quite a few years ago. I’m sure they’d be a lot more vigilant (and less amused) these days.
And yes, the long trip from Australia to Europe or the USA is exhausting. But the rest of the world is enticing, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Ireland, England and China.
Yes, Sonya, this was quite a few years ago. I’m sure they’d be a lot more vigilant (and less amused) these days.
And yes, the long trip from Australia to Europe or the USA is exhausting. But the rest of the world is enticing, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Ireland, England and China.
Yes, Sonya, this was quite a few years ago. I’m sure they’d be a lot more vigilant (and less amused) these days.
And yes, the long trip from Australia to Europe or the USA is exhausting. But the rest of the world is enticing, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Ireland, England and China.
Yes, Sonya, this was quite a few years ago. I’m sure they’d be a lot more vigilant (and less amused) these days.
And yes, the long trip from Australia to Europe or the USA is exhausting. But the rest of the world is enticing, and I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time in Ireland, England and China.
Thanks Faith. It was pretty funny — they were all keyed up for a nice dramatic little drug bust and all they got was a dog-deprived woman.
Thanks Faith. It was pretty funny — they were all keyed up for a nice dramatic little drug bust and all they got was a dog-deprived woman.
Thanks Faith. It was pretty funny — they were all keyed up for a nice dramatic little drug bust and all they got was a dog-deprived woman.
Thanks Faith. It was pretty funny — they were all keyed up for a nice dramatic little drug bust and all they got was a dog-deprived woman.
Thanks Faith. It was pretty funny — they were all keyed up for a nice dramatic little drug bust and all they got was a dog-deprived woman.
Thanks, Annette — they were fine, really. I think it’s just that they had a boring job and finally it looked like they were going to have something to show for all their waiting and watching. They were all keyed up for an arrest — and then . . . me, patting their dog. LOL They were nice to me — yes they were disgusted, but also rueful and very polite. And one or two might even have been amused.
Thanks, Annette — they were fine, really. I think it’s just that they had a boring job and finally it looked like they were going to have something to show for all their waiting and watching. They were all keyed up for an arrest — and then . . . me, patting their dog. LOL They were nice to me — yes they were disgusted, but also rueful and very polite. And one or two might even have been amused.
Thanks, Annette — they were fine, really. I think it’s just that they had a boring job and finally it looked like they were going to have something to show for all their waiting and watching. They were all keyed up for an arrest — and then . . . me, patting their dog. LOL They were nice to me — yes they were disgusted, but also rueful and very polite. And one or two might even have been amused.
Thanks, Annette — they were fine, really. I think it’s just that they had a boring job and finally it looked like they were going to have something to show for all their waiting and watching. They were all keyed up for an arrest — and then . . . me, patting their dog. LOL They were nice to me — yes they were disgusted, but also rueful and very polite. And one or two might even have been amused.
Thanks, Annette — they were fine, really. I think it’s just that they had a boring job and finally it looked like they were going to have something to show for all their waiting and watching. They were all keyed up for an arrest — and then . . . me, patting their dog. LOL They were nice to me — yes they were disgusted, but also rueful and very polite. And one or two might even have been amused.
I enjoyed the entire travelogue, but the very, very funny ending makes it perfect! Please keep sharing your travels (past and present) they make up for being homebound by old age.
I enjoyed the entire travelogue, but the very, very funny ending makes it perfect! Please keep sharing your travels (past and present) they make up for being homebound by old age.
I enjoyed the entire travelogue, but the very, very funny ending makes it perfect! Please keep sharing your travels (past and present) they make up for being homebound by old age.
I enjoyed the entire travelogue, but the very, very funny ending makes it perfect! Please keep sharing your travels (past and present) they make up for being homebound by old age.
I enjoyed the entire travelogue, but the very, very funny ending makes it perfect! Please keep sharing your travels (past and present) they make up for being homebound by old age.
I admire women who head off like that and have a great time. My eldest girl did it about seven years ago. I didn’t sleep for the first six months that she was gone:-(
I don’t know where she gets the itchy feet from because I’m a very bad traveler and get my adventures from reading. I’m probably missing out on a lot but hey we’re all made differently and can only be who we are. I envy you though Anne, sounds like a brilliant experience.
I admire women who head off like that and have a great time. My eldest girl did it about seven years ago. I didn’t sleep for the first six months that she was gone:-(
I don’t know where she gets the itchy feet from because I’m a very bad traveler and get my adventures from reading. I’m probably missing out on a lot but hey we’re all made differently and can only be who we are. I envy you though Anne, sounds like a brilliant experience.
I admire women who head off like that and have a great time. My eldest girl did it about seven years ago. I didn’t sleep for the first six months that she was gone:-(
I don’t know where she gets the itchy feet from because I’m a very bad traveler and get my adventures from reading. I’m probably missing out on a lot but hey we’re all made differently and can only be who we are. I envy you though Anne, sounds like a brilliant experience.
I admire women who head off like that and have a great time. My eldest girl did it about seven years ago. I didn’t sleep for the first six months that she was gone:-(
I don’t know where she gets the itchy feet from because I’m a very bad traveler and get my adventures from reading. I’m probably missing out on a lot but hey we’re all made differently and can only be who we are. I envy you though Anne, sounds like a brilliant experience.
I admire women who head off like that and have a great time. My eldest girl did it about seven years ago. I didn’t sleep for the first six months that she was gone:-(
I don’t know where she gets the itchy feet from because I’m a very bad traveler and get my adventures from reading. I’m probably missing out on a lot but hey we’re all made differently and can only be who we are. I envy you though Anne, sounds like a brilliant experience.
Wonderful story, and so reminiscent of my adventures backpacking through Europe. I used to meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they seemed to be particularly intrepid. Often I would pair up with other travelers, like 2 young women from Tasmania that I spent 2 glorious weeks with, at a cheap beach hotel in Corfu.
Wonderful story, and so reminiscent of my adventures backpacking through Europe. I used to meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they seemed to be particularly intrepid. Often I would pair up with other travelers, like 2 young women from Tasmania that I spent 2 glorious weeks with, at a cheap beach hotel in Corfu.
Wonderful story, and so reminiscent of my adventures backpacking through Europe. I used to meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they seemed to be particularly intrepid. Often I would pair up with other travelers, like 2 young women from Tasmania that I spent 2 glorious weeks with, at a cheap beach hotel in Corfu.
Wonderful story, and so reminiscent of my adventures backpacking through Europe. I used to meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they seemed to be particularly intrepid. Often I would pair up with other travelers, like 2 young women from Tasmania that I spent 2 glorious weeks with, at a cheap beach hotel in Corfu.
Wonderful story, and so reminiscent of my adventures backpacking through Europe. I used to meet a lot of Australians and New Zealanders, and they seemed to be particularly intrepid. Often I would pair up with other travelers, like 2 young women from Tasmania that I spent 2 glorious weeks with, at a cheap beach hotel in Corfu.
Sue, that’s why I wrote this post — feeling homebound, except by deadline rather than old age while so many of my friends were away on their travels. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Sue, that’s why I wrote this post — feeling homebound, except by deadline rather than old age while so many of my friends were away on their travels. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Sue, that’s why I wrote this post — feeling homebound, except by deadline rather than old age while so many of my friends were away on their travels. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Sue, that’s why I wrote this post — feeling homebound, except by deadline rather than old age while so many of my friends were away on their travels. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Sue, that’s why I wrote this post — feeling homebound, except by deadline rather than old age while so many of my friends were away on their travels. Glad you enjoyed the story.
I get my itchy feet from both my parents, Teresa. They adored travel and would head off at the slightest excuse. My older siblings, on the other hand, haven’t done nearly so much travelling.
I get my itchy feet from both my parents, Teresa. They adored travel and would head off at the slightest excuse. My older siblings, on the other hand, haven’t done nearly so much travelling.
I get my itchy feet from both my parents, Teresa. They adored travel and would head off at the slightest excuse. My older siblings, on the other hand, haven’t done nearly so much travelling.
I get my itchy feet from both my parents, Teresa. They adored travel and would head off at the slightest excuse. My older siblings, on the other hand, haven’t done nearly so much travelling.
I get my itchy feet from both my parents, Teresa. They adored travel and would head off at the slightest excuse. My older siblings, on the other hand, haven’t done nearly so much travelling.
Kerin I think in my neck of the woods (Australia and NZ) it’s a bit of a rite of passage to go backpacking and explore the world. It’s a wonderful thing to do, I think. Apart from getting to know other cultures, it teaches you a lot about people — and yourself. It does you a lot of good to have to rely on your own resources. Plus it’s fun
Kerin I think in my neck of the woods (Australia and NZ) it’s a bit of a rite of passage to go backpacking and explore the world. It’s a wonderful thing to do, I think. Apart from getting to know other cultures, it teaches you a lot about people — and yourself. It does you a lot of good to have to rely on your own resources. Plus it’s fun
Kerin I think in my neck of the woods (Australia and NZ) it’s a bit of a rite of passage to go backpacking and explore the world. It’s a wonderful thing to do, I think. Apart from getting to know other cultures, it teaches you a lot about people — and yourself. It does you a lot of good to have to rely on your own resources. Plus it’s fun
Kerin I think in my neck of the woods (Australia and NZ) it’s a bit of a rite of passage to go backpacking and explore the world. It’s a wonderful thing to do, I think. Apart from getting to know other cultures, it teaches you a lot about people — and yourself. It does you a lot of good to have to rely on your own resources. Plus it’s fun
Kerin I think in my neck of the woods (Australia and NZ) it’s a bit of a rite of passage to go backpacking and explore the world. It’s a wonderful thing to do, I think. Apart from getting to know other cultures, it teaches you a lot about people — and yourself. It does you a lot of good to have to rely on your own resources. Plus it’s fun
Anne, what a fabulous story! Especially the hippie girl backpacker dog patter. *G* In fact, I’ve sailed into Venice at dawn, but it was a foggy morning and the famous canals and domes were very mysterious and otherworldly. And that was lovely, too!
Anne, what a fabulous story! Especially the hippie girl backpacker dog patter. *G* In fact, I’ve sailed into Venice at dawn, but it was a foggy morning and the famous canals and domes were very mysterious and otherworldly. And that was lovely, too!
Anne, what a fabulous story! Especially the hippie girl backpacker dog patter. *G* In fact, I’ve sailed into Venice at dawn, but it was a foggy morning and the famous canals and domes were very mysterious and otherworldly. And that was lovely, too!
Anne, what a fabulous story! Especially the hippie girl backpacker dog patter. *G* In fact, I’ve sailed into Venice at dawn, but it was a foggy morning and the famous canals and domes were very mysterious and otherworldly. And that was lovely, too!
Anne, what a fabulous story! Especially the hippie girl backpacker dog patter. *G* In fact, I’ve sailed into Venice at dawn, but it was a foggy morning and the famous canals and domes were very mysterious and otherworldly. And that was lovely, too!