Dvd and I arrived in Venice, Italy with pretty much no direction as to what we were going to do or where we were going. I'd not been there for over ten years and when I was I did not make use of the water buses but this time around we strictly relied on them as the Island I chose to rent on was Lido - across from Venice. A sleepy beautiful little city away from all the hubbub of Venice where the tourist outnumber the residents.

Our hotel was on the water's edge at the end of the town. A trellis covered the walk way filled with grapes. We were planning on swiping some but they were too high at that time. Thankfully in the morning at the complimentary breakfast, they used the grapes for juice and it proved to be incredibly delicious. Loved that hotel, was more like a bed and breakfast than anything else and the front desk staff was extremely pleasant and very helpful. We defn plan on returning to that hotel when we return to Venice.

Next stop... Barcelona. We flew in on Ryan air and stayed at a hostel far away from the main strip. Nice hostel actually but just far. When the train closes at midnight it kind of puts a damper on things like... going clubbing and partying.

Dvd shopped. And later we went on a bike tour of the city. It seems to be our thing whenever we travel now. Met some great people including some cat from San Francisco. Yet another connection up there. A. He's at least 6'7" very very tall. Nice guy. We traded myspace emails so will keep up.

Got followed a bit in Barcelona by a would be purse snatcher. He followed us as we walked past him. Funny thing though. I had no cash on me. He would have gotten a bag full of tattered items - gloves, scarf, notebook... I was carrying my backpack. Secondly I'm not sure he would have gotten it off my arm. I always put my hands in my pockets when around certain elements just in case. Makes it more difficult for them to do a snatch and run. Thirdly, both Dvd was ready for him. He's unassuming but underneath his clothing is a very solid man with massive muscles.

I told Dvd I never had any problems with people in Europe except in Barcelona. One of the biggest worst crime areas/cities in Europe though the past year they've cleaned it up a lot it still has elements.

Lastly we went to Paris. Fog. Flight flew around for about an hour then into a different airport. We had to take a shuttle bus to our own airport 2.5 hours away and then another bus into the city's center. Not fun. Not bad as we got much needed rest (we had went to the bus station that takes us to the airport at 11pm and the bus didn't leave until 350am. he didn't want to pay for a taxi so we spent much of the night outside with other b/c they closed the bus station - fucking cold) but still killed some time in Paris. We only spent two days there.

Discovered a new group I now love by the name of Il Divo Italian boys. Kind of Operatic? Amazing.

On the way to the airport our tickets no longer worked so... we hopped over a turn style and ran u p to the terminal. Was thankful we didn't get caught for that one but in my whole years of travel on the metro in Europe I've never seen the guys come around and check for tickets so... oh well.

Overall it was a good trip. Dvd drove me crazy on some occasions as I'm sure I drove him crazy but you know it was good. It always is with him. Coming back into the US however has proven to be... not of the good. I'm in the same place I was before I left so I know that it's time. Simple as that. It's just time.