No School After All

I knew it was too easy.

I let Annie sleep late then watch some more of the Barber DVD. Show, dressed, and packed her packpack with her stuffed Camel, some American books, Highlights for Children and her emergency contact information. We had talked at length about this adventure -- the teacher would be able to speak English, all the kids would want to know about life in America, etc.

We decided to take the traghetto so she could say she'd gone to school in a gondola, and then we walked over to the campo where we had arranged to meet Luca at noon. Got there early and sat down. Decided to check the phone. A voicemail from Luca - please call. It turns out that the school director had decided there was problems with liability/insurance. Obviously very sorry; could we have play date instead. Arranged something for tomorrow.

Annie didn't know how to take the news. Partially disappointed, partially relieved. And how we had a found afternoon!

Went into Zanipolo, the biggest church in Venice (we were already in Campo right in front of it.) Amazing - the Venetian Santa Croce, with funeral monuments to 25 of the Doges. We negotiated so Annie would read her Highlight for Children while I looked around. Which I did.

Oh, as we were coming in the woman before us was trying to pay the 2.50 entrance with a 20, and Signore in the booth was having none of it. So we graciously treated her and struck up a conversation. She was French (as was the conversation). We talked about how most of the foreign tourists in Venice seemed to be French. Ah, the French love Italy! she said. She was also quite impressed to find a Francophone American (I get that alot).

We found a handware store on the way home and after much gesturing explained we wanted something to light the stove (will explain later) and bought it. Then five minutes in Santa Maria dei Miracoli, perhaps the prettiest church in all Venice -- a jewelbox of marble. Walking home we found a computer store and bought a few blank CDs (still trying to get already written text on this blog) and ... rain boots for Annie! It's gorgeous today, but now we're prepared for any eventuality.

Home and now blogging while Annie watches the end of the Barber DVD. She will be -- as Massimo and Jane say in my dialogues -- prontissimo -- extra-ready for the opera tonight.