Sunday Travel to Venice

We wake up to our first cloudy day since we arrived in Italy. As we take the train north from Assisi, the green fields slowly turn brown. Large piles of snow begin to appear along the tracks. Last weekend, all of Assisi was covered with snow. Two weeks ago, a major snowstorm shut down the entire area. Roads were closed, trains were cancelled, and electricity was off. Very unusual event for this area.

As we continue north, hilltops are adorned with villages, churches, and an occasional castle type of building. Olive orchards cover other hills with rolling vineyards in the valleys. A splendid country.

We arrive in Florence and are not certain which station to get off. Our ticket does not tell us. I stand up in the packed car and start asking, “Does anyone speak English?” Everyone is staring at me. I start walking through the train asking the question again. Someone is smiling. With great relief, I ask her if she speaks English. She says yes. She tells me to get off at the next station and then take a short train to another station in Florence. There we will find the train to Venice.

We get off the train in Florence, pay $1.50 to use the bathroom and then begin to hunt for our next train. It appears that a train is to leave Firenze-SNM on Platform 7 at 12:38 and the first stop is Firenze–Rifredi. Except the train on Platform 7 says a different destination and it does not leave until 12:47. We again look at the list of departures. This is the train that is supposed to be on Platform 5. Which sign is correct? And where is the train that is supposed to be on this platform leaving at 12:38?

We board the train and start asking if anyone speaks English. No luck this time. I keep asking one after another if this train stops at Rifredi. Most shake their head no – which later I realize means “no they do not understand me.” We get off the train. I keep asking people who are boarding the train, and no one is able to help. Finally I see young people coming towards me that look like potential Americans. Do you speak English? Not only did they speak English, but they were able to answer our question. Yes, this is the right train. We get back on it and ten minutes later arrive at Firenze-Rifredi, where we eat our homemade cheese sandwiches for lunch as we wait for another train to Venice.

The sun is now shining on tall mountain peaks with bright blue sky. We are on our way to Venice! We take time to reflect and pray. We pray for everyone back home as you are preparing for worship.

We just went through a long tunnel and when we come out the other side, much of the ground is now covered with snow. We are in the mountains. More tunnels – more snow – more mountains. Looks like Pennsylvania winter except mountain peaks are taller. We arrive in Bologna. It is 2:30 in the afternoon, but is now cold, dark, cloudy and wintry. We leave the station and it begins to rain. Our cabin for six is now a cabin for just Judy and I. We stretch out across the seats for a short Sunday afternoon rest.

A few minutes later, the sky is blue, sun is shining, and the land is flat. Not even a hill in sight. Vineyards and olive trees have been replaced with orchards of pear, peach, or apple. Small canals go through large green fields. It is like another world.

We step out of the train station in Venice and are met with stunning views of the Grand Canal. As we travel down the Canal to our hotel, the setting sun paints brilliant colors and reflections on the water. It is far greater than we ever expected. Hope to show photos later.