After we checked out of our room in Venice, we had all day to explore more of Venice, so we went out the door and attempted to go in the direction of the first restaurant (Dan’s birthday dinner spot) because we hadn’t investigated that area as much. In true tourist form we took a wrong turn somewhere and got lost. We were, in fact, “lost” for much of the day. But it was great fun. We did finally end up at a place Dan had seen on our first day here, the Santa Maria della Salute. From there we went back to our inn (yes, struggling with just how to get there), and waited for our water taxi to take us to the train station.

Photos from the day:

One incident at the train station reminded us to be cautious: two guys were following us, or at least Dan felt like they were. I had noticed them earlier, as they were taking selfies and photos of each other. When we took a different path, they did as well. So we stopped. They then had to keep going … perhaps in order to avoid suspicion? I noticed them after he pointed them out to me, and I saw them go up to four other guys and chat for a moment, and then head off again. Later, when we were eating dinner, I saw two guys that might have been them standing around taking selfies for the longest time. Were they doing this to pretend to be tourists as they were scouting out the area? Maybe. And maybe they were truly innocent and we over reacted. Who knows? But we had read in several places that the train station is the spot for pick pocket, so we figure it was better to be cautious.

Dinner!

We finally got into our night train (it was late), and got situated. I had read that we’d be greeted with small bottles of sparkling wine. That didn’t happen immediately, but it did eventually. Trouble was, no glasses were given to us … we had to drink straight from the bottles! Then, when I was climbing into the top bunk, I tried to figure out the safety straps. It’s quite likely no one uses them … they were a bit tattered and torn, and we never could fully figure them out, but Dan set something up, just to be sure I didn’t tumble out. Maybe it wasn’t necessary, but I’d rather not fall out of a top bunk so I was fine with them there, as pathetic as they looked!

And then it was lights out … but keep reading since I’m writing about today as well!

We had a somewhat restless night — Dan more so than I. There were times the train stopped for a long while. We think they must have split the train in two: one section going elsewhere. But we don’t know for sure. Then, at 4:30 AM or so, we get this very loud knock on the door. Dan opens it, both of us bleary eyed and in pjs, and a blonde young man says something we can’t understand and then, realizing we are Americans, says, “Your passports. I need to see them,” or something like that. We had no idea we’d have to show passports in Austria, but sure enough we did. It was such a lovely way to wake us, don’t you think?

I did get back to sleep, and Dan woke me around 7 since breakfast was to arrive soon. So we got up, got dressed, and waited for the attendant to bring us breakfast. It came later than we expected, but I’m assuming it’s because the train was late. She first handed us one breakfast tray and said something in German. She seemed upset. Dan took that tray but we said we did have another one as well. She seemed upset (again). She did bring the second tray. We sat there wondering what to do: the attendant was supposed to be making up our beds into a bench seat with a table so we could eat. Finally I saw her again and asked. She looked like she was about to cry, and said something about “Not now. Later …” and I honestly thought she was going to lose it so we told her not to worry, we’d eat on the bed. She never came back to fix things for daytime, but did eventually return to collect our trays. Dan had taken one sip of the OJ and said it was awful, so I didn’t even bother to open mine. She suggested I hang on to the box and when I said I wasn’t interested she looked like she was going to cry again. I think the poor young woman was too stressed and I do believe she has a job she isn’t made for. In any case, we sat on the bed until the train arrived in Stuttgart. Then, after figuring out what to do to get a train (or whatever it’s called — trolley? Light rail? Dunno) that got us near to our destination we managed to get to my brother and sister-in-law’s place (thanks, Greg & Jan!) in … Heidelberg.

After getting settled, showered, and one wash load started we went to get lunch. In typical D&P fashion we took over an hour to find a place. But lunch was nice, and then it was back to the house again, so we could do the second load of laundry. (My load: I hope I didn’t ruin anything, as I suspect I maybe have set the temperature incorrectly. Oops!)

Photos up until what I’ve written so far:

Now we are waiting for Greg & Jan to get here from work. I hope it’s not too crazy to deal with us and the long drive we have tomorrow. If I have time and energy I might post more photos tonight, but stay tuned tomorrow for our next destination!