Roamin' The World: Europe And Beyond...

 Yes, it is most tragic that my otherwise great visit to this city was tainted by this horribly traumatizing experience... and the SECOND time this has happened to me...unbelievable!!! (The first time was in Mexico City, a couple years back....)  ALL THE PHOTOS TAKEN IN GENOVA WERE LOST.... I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY DIDN'T BACK UP... SO... ARE GONE FOREVER WITH THE PHONE!!!!!!  SOOOOOO HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED: I was in the train station, taking my leave of the city this past Wednesday... after purchasing a croissant to eat while waiting for the train, I sat down (on the ground at the platform--as usual, no one had the courtesy to let this senior have a proper seat!!) to eat the croissant.  I THOUGHT I remembered having the phone in hand--along with the croissant bag--as I walked to the platform from the pastry shop. But, when I went to check the time on my phone...well, it was simply...gone. NOT anywhere!!!! Did I set it down on the ground next t...

 After I spent a full day wandering the streets of Verona (on Saturday), I decided to make a day trip to Venice on Sunday... just 90 minutes from Verona by train. Well! Going in the morning was pleasant enough... the train coming BACK, however, was SO packed as to be reminiscent of local trains in India! There were even crazy people making their way through the train, and no conductor coming through to check tickets or monitor the passengers... how totally bizarre! I DID, at least, meet a very lovely pair (brother and sister) on my return trip, which helped redeem the crowded conditions (as well as the horrible experience of having to worm my way through all the people standing in the isles--with their luggage!!-- in order to get to the bathroom!!!)  They--Nena and Giannino--live in Milano, so I have an extended invitation whenever-- IF ever-- I make my way there some day. We shall see... In any event, that was actually the highlight of the day. The LOW light was being accoste...