Giants in Jandals

Italy is not normaly known for the large size of their stature, but rather for the large size of their appettites. So enter two giants wearing jandals into a country which does not speak much English (except in major tourist cities), and it paints an unusual picture. Incredibly fashion conscious, italian leather shoes, with nice pants, shirt and a jacket when for us... we were debating whether we should go tops on or off! The weather is warm-hot, but supposedly it just gets hotter... I can't imagine travelling on a bus in the middle of summer!

Everything here is a contradiction. The incredible style of Italians who wouldn't be caught dead without their Gucci sunglasses, yet they cannot organise themselves out of a paper bag. As foriegners, we have to be very patient, and learn that a 7pm appointment is probably going to start about 8:45pm. And sorting people into 4 cars can take an hour. It is incredibly conservative, where males would not even flat with females, and you definately would not live with your girlfriend/boyfriend until you were married. But in clubs you can get away with wearing next to nothing (I cannot confirm this yet!).

Venice (or Venizia as the Italians call it), is amazing. Very touristy, but the most romantic city I have ever seen at night. If only Rick would stop trying to hold my hand. Yes, just the two of us strolling through beautiful canal-side restaurants with buskers in fine suits making music that you would pay a pretty penny for in a concert. Pizza and Pasta of course was on the menu 24/7, but we did try to squeeze a few salads in their. One point of interest is the many black men who lay out all their fake Gucci or Armani handbags, watches, belts, sunglasses on a sheet on the side of the street. I mean it is literally lined with them. And then, as soon as the police turn up... they disappear within an instant.

Next we went to Macerata, where Kathi lives. We discovered that the further away from the tourist cities you go, the less everyone knows English. So our tiny bit of italian was put to the test, but we found our way to the ancient hill-side walled city of Macerata (near Ancona on the eastern coast). For the first time in Italian history, our bus arrived early. I think there may have been a mention on CNN Network about that! We have been to the markets, to the beach, and a great Italian Reggae concert. Since then I seem to be getting sick again, so it has been a quiet couple of days. Unfortunately my Birthday has been more of a recovery day! Kathi has a singing concert tonight, and soon we will head on our way around some more of Italy. We have already been offered a fruit picking job in summer in the south east of Italy. Caio!