We landed in Venice, which is actually a nice small little airport on the mainland. We arrived in Venice around 7:00 am (an hour earlier than expected) and everything was going perfect...too perfect in fact....so something went wrong.
We needed some cash to take the bus ride into Venice, so we go to pull some cash out of our ATM and nada...apparently our "card is not authorized for international use, remove your card and contact your bank...p.s. this machine will self destruct in 10 seconds"
We planned to use cash for most purchases and our Visa card for all others. So, accordingly we contacted our bank to make sure we would be able to use our ATM card abroad and put all our money in that account. We also informed our bank and the Visa company when we would be in Italy so there wouldn't be any issues. Well, you guessed it....there were issues.
So, we used our USD to purchase a calling card and had fun trying to contact our bank.
Things we learned the hard way:
- The country code from Italy to the US is 001
- Pay phones are a rip off, even with a sweet calling card
- 800 numbers do not work internationally
- Italy is 5 hours ahead of EDT
- Cash advances are not cheap
"Somehow through the winding alley ways we found #1016 door. Home at last! After a quick call to "Costanza", our little helper walked us over the wood planks to the back door. Costanza greeted us & showed us to our cozy, arrogant, pink-walled room. We took naps for 1.5 hours...walked to San Marco square, took plenty of pictures, ate some pizza and a brawtwurtz (all J), watched gondolas, window shopped, ate some gelato, admired fresh flowers 4 sale, ate more pizza & drank the thickest hot chocolate around. did I mention we ate? g-nite!"
-Italy Journal
Stay tuned for our next post...
5 comments:
Wow, how fun!!!! I went to Venice once for a day when I was 17. There were pigeons everywhere in that big square by St. James' cathedral. One of your pictures reminded me just how bad the pigeons were!!
Can't wait to hear the next installment.
You guys are the coolest couple we know...no really you are. :) I think my husband would immediately have a heart attack if the bank thing happened to us. The pictures are fantabulous (as usual), it's fun watchin your adventures un-fold! :P
I'm very jealous of your trip despite the hard things! Your pics are adorable. And OF COURSE we will all get together in the fall. I seriously can't WAIT!
That was seriously my favorite- Gelato on every corner!! Venice is absolutely amazing... "a whole new world" really. So fun to see your pictures!
What a fun trip...one day we hope to follow along in your footsteps. You did the trip and pictures in perfect J and Bee style...miss that style!
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