TEARLACH'S TRIP - Italy

        Well I rented a car from Innsbruck on me way to Venice, great highways and great scenery. Have a nice room over looking the canal. In Venice there are 409 Bridges spanning the canal. There are allot of canals connecting each other in Venice. It cost me 60 Euros for the Gondola trip with a singing oarsman.

        I sat outside of a restaurant and had a good pizza with some wine. After a walk about in Venice, truly a lovely place. Venice was built out of a swamp, with large pole stuck in the bottom and finally soil to rid the area of the water, leaving just the canals.

        Took a bus to Milano where I spent the night. Had a good veal supper and off to bed. I did get a tour of the city, and found old and very interesting old buildings. People here very friendly and do not seem to hurry alot. Milano is a very large city.

        Now with the car have stopped off in Genoa for a rest and just to walk around. Very lovely city.

        Here I am now in Florence where I will spend the night. Here in Florence have a nice room with a pub and a pretty nice resturant. The museum has 12th century art. I�m not up on art, but amazed at how well kept it is. A party here in Florence and its Rock and Roll for the young ones. Younger ones dance like in the US. I went down the street to another party playing Italian music, and was invited to stay for food and drink. I left early as I�m beat, after all the food, music and dancing.

        I�m on me way now to Pisa, got a room here not far from the Leaning Tower of Pisa After a good breakfast sat out to see the city. After seeing this very old structure I was amazed at the Tower. They have been able to stabilize the structure as does not lean as much.

        On the road again and stopped off in Umbria to see the church of St Francis of Assisi where he is buried. The church dates back over a thousand years, and where he is buried. They built another church to enclose the church inside. This church is over 2000 years old.

        Im on me way to Cortona. Gas is expensive. Have gone through alot of small towns. Always try to stop for some water and to meet the people. Well Im in Cortona a city in the providence of Tuscany.

        I'm staying at the Hotel Nuevo Centrale. Population of Cortona consists of 11,000 men and over 12,ooo women (Im looking-ha-ha) Population of Tuscany providence is over 2 million, with alot of small towns. Will be here for 3 days, as the city is so charming.

        I spent today just walking and seeing the people. Stopped for a ice cream cone, delicious indeed. Sat outside for some pizza which was great, and a glass of wine.

        Later some older people seeing me Irish shirt, invited me to a party in the park. Nice little lake watching swans swimming. What a nice day, wine, always music with strolling musicians. Had all types of pizzas, all types of pasta, salami all types of cheese and of course the wine, need I forget that.

        Wine aye and on a full stomach and a warm day, caught up to me, found a grassy area underneath a olive tree and soon took a nap, along with the rest of older people. It's great to be old.

        Spent time just to walk around speaking to alot of friendly people, and a big piece of fresh bread with Salami and it was hot and delicious. Im stuffed to the gill.