(Almost) Everything they say is true!

We were sad to leave Germany so quickly, and we certainly could have stayed for several more days. Munich was one of those addictive cities with so much to see and do, so much history to absorb, and so many biergartens to sample...but alas, we are anxious to get to croatia so we hopped a (miserable and freezing) night train through the Alps.

Bologna, Italy was beautiful and ancient...we climbed thousands (well, maybe hundreds) of stairs to the top of the larger leaning tower for an incredible view of the city. The steps were absolutely tiny, and I'm sure my knee surgeon would be proud of my activity level! Other than the hike into the sky, we were pretty low-key for the rest of the stay...spending most of our time people watching in the large public square and downing wine and gelatto. (I swear the foodstuffs of this place will be the end of me!)

The street performers were interesting...if not hilarious...including a group of "native Americans" in full dress playing flutes, and a large, uber-masculine, long haired man in all leather badly lipsyncing to "world peace" songs - (with his tiny little poodle bobbing along beside him).

The stereotypes of italy have been mostly (wonderfully) true - gelatto and scooters at every corner, outdoor cafes, gorgeous stucco architecture, charming public plazas, glitzed up women and macho men, cheap wine and expensive clothing, and a landscape like no other (green trees, rolling hills, and an impeccably blue sky). I certainly could not afford to spend a great deal of time here, but we've had a lovely experience thus far.

We're now in Verona, which is steeped in cheesy (wonderful) legends about Romeo and Juliet - with whom, as many of you know, I am rather obsessed. Shakespeare has a wonderful presence in this beautiful little town, and we were even fortunate to see 'the house of juliet', complete with a very appropriate balcony. You can imagine my giddyness. When I am home, I immediately plan to curl up with the greatest play of all time- in my opinion at least! It's a very romantic city, and very steeped in history. A great deal of roman architecture - including the 3rd largest ampitheater - still exists and is in good working condition.

I am running out of time, so I will have to leave you here. We'll be heading to Venice this afternoon - where the internet cafes are a horrifying 7 euros an hour. Thus, you may not hear from me again until croatia!

Until then...Ciao!