An evening to remember

The temperatures in Europe/Italy/Venice have been almost 40°C. In Fahrenheit that is about 100°. And the humidity has been above 85%. Hot and muggy and rarely a breath of air.

In Prague last year I took a beer and tapas tour with an Australian company called Urban Adventures. Since it was fun and I got to try some beers and snacks in some places that I wouldn't have otherwise, I booked a similar wine and tapas tour in Venice. Camilla was our tour guide and I was put off a little at first because she was so young. She shined before the evening was over.

The plan was six wines and tapas in five bars. The first surprise was that we found our meeting place. From there we went to the oldest bar in Venice, seven hundred years old if I recall. The second bar was only 350 years old but did have a functioning toilet. More wine and snacks at the third place. On our way to the fourth place the wind started to blow and the clouds were black over our shoulders. Everyone was trying to blink the dust out of their eyes.

The fourth place was a popular bar with a younger crowd. Just as we got inside it started to pour. While it was going to mess with our itinerary, the Venetians certainly needed the rain. And Camilla got the chance to prove her meddle. Because everyone was trying to get in out of the rain, the bar was packed and our nine tourists were split into three groups. Camilla shuffled between them trying to explain about the wines and the tapas all the while keeping an eye on the weather.

A couple of drinks later it was clear that there wasn't going to be a fifth bar so Camilla started giving directions to each group on how to get back to their hotels. We became part of a herd getting on the water bus heading back to the tram/bus station at the north end of the island. If we were lucky we would catch the numer 2 and the trip would be direct. We caught a number 1 so it was eight exciting stops later that we reached the Pizale Roma. Because of the winds the water was rough and docking became a version of bumper cars.

Once at the terminus we got in line for a taxi. Since Venice is at the end of a two mile cul de sac and no taxis were dropping off tourists at 9:00 PM, we waited fruitlessly. A tram was parked a bit away and had some shelter from the the light rain. We waited fruitlessly there for awhile. Even though there wasn't anyone on board the doors wouldn't open. Finally it was back in line for a taxi and a thirty minute wait in the rain.

On the ride back to the hotel we saw a police vehicle blocking the street that the tram runs on. Our suspicion was that in the wind and rain a tram had been involved in an accident. With but a single track, when you block it the tram system is shut down.

Eventually we were safely back in our room.