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Bangkok, Thailand to Venice, Italy, September 18th, 2007 Flight : Compliments of EMIRATES, our most favorite Airlines. We enjoy their in flight service, no doubts one of the best. Many will add : Of course, when flying for free, what would one say different. After having flown for 35 years with all kinds of Airlines I have found one that is worth flying with. Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars spent, I prefer to spend it with Emirates. This is all I have to say. Its worth every dime, they know what hospitality stands for, they take care of passengers. Multi lingual staff for those who prefer (or would rather like) to communicate in their native language makes it easy to make your wishes known. All smiling cabin crew makes your flight an experience. I am now a Sliver Member of their "Skyward" program extra baggage allowance, Priority boarding, and free entrance in their business lounge makes it all the more worthwhile. And what a business lounge it is. See the sumptuous buffet, only to look makes your taste buds go hey wire. Arriving in Venice, a storm is drawing up. The Italian driver has no scruples, he drops us in midst the rainstorm, each passenger gets soaked in seconds. We rush to the nearby Cafe (Venezia Mestre Train station), everyone running for shelter under a rather tiny umbrella. Within a minute the owner (barkeeper) makes it clear that we are not wanted, and starts to close the umbrella on us, leaving us stranded under the open sky. This is also Italy. We rush to the 300 or so meters distant Railway Station to look for shelter. By then all are wet to the bones. The rain is cold, kids, elders alike are soaked. Our thanks go out to the Italian Barkeeper, I wish him the best for his future, and I am not the only one. A fully fetched complaint to the Italian Tourism Authority is in place. We are all shocked from the incident. In 15 minutes the train leaves for Venezia St. Lucia, and we jump on it. Our onward booking to Nice is set for tomorrow, but we opt for leaving today, especially after experiencing the unpleasant surprise at Mestre. Venezia Santa Lucia is crowded with Tourists, and locals alike. The main station is the only hub from and into Venice. We are so disillusioned that we do not notice the surroundings at first. Suddenly, I ealize the scenery outside the railway station, and all my previous grudge against everything Italian disappears. The view that awaits me is simply, to say the least, breathtaking. Not exactly a novice when it comes to enjoying sceneries, I succumb to the sheer beauty of Venetian architecture. Just as the sky opens and the rainclouds disappear, Venice portrays its magnificence. A true jewel amongst the worlds most beautiful sites, I gaze at the Canal Grande, the church adjacent, the opposite buildings that line the Canale Grande. As by command, the many Tourists now stream on the Piazza to savor the sun. I venture to the streets, along the Canal. Amongst the "Gondoliers" the many Piazzas, the restaurants, and the strolling people, I find back my happiness, forgotten is the unpleasant surprise.
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