Three videos and three galleries are in this posting.
Us in Venice (Gallery 1 of 3):
Architecture(Gallery 2 of 3):
Art (Gallery 3 of 3) – Unfortunately we did not get video of the birds chasing the swimming rat, but at least we got a good photo of their unsuccessful pursuit:
Chocolate fountain:
Better to watch a gondola ride than to be trapped on one, I say…
San Marco Piazza
Video compilation below. Us and our host at Bearsandbreakfast.com (Gallery 1 of 3):
Scenery, Vistas and Architecture (Gallery 2 of 3):
Public Works of Art (Gallery 3 of 3):
Video below. Pictures with us there (Gallery 1 of 2):
Scenery (Gallery 2 of 2)
We got to meet my dear friend Sharan’s sister from Italy who happened to be interning for her advanced degree in Reykyavik. We brought her a framed picture from Sharan to save a bunch on shipping charges. Valentina’s English is very good, but it was nice to be able to speak Italian in Reykavik too, which strangely I have done regularly both times I visited Iceland.
We got a cute Airbnb rental which was pretty convenient, although quite a walk to downtown if truth be told. The cabs were pretty plentiful, although expensive at this point with the current exchange rate.
We had the good fortune to host a number of dinner parties this year.
From our hotel room and walking along the strip…
We stopped by the Venetian, so Shando got to see the FAKE Rialto bridge in Vegas a few months before seeing the real one in Venice!
We also went to Fremont Street (found a terrific vegetarian restaurant nearby called Vegnation).
Pink Panther Theme at the Bellagio
We got to see Christina Aguilera in concert, although ironically it was Celine Dion’s last weekend during her residency there.
Aquarium at Mandalay Bay
This was in front of the table setting for Thanksgiving dinner this year!