Last night I learned that officially NOTHING is free in Rome. While at a train station I was forced to pay 80 cents just to pee...rude!! Not only that, but there were two MALE security guards who proceeded to guard either side of the gates in front of the bathroom, casually walking in and out of both the boys AND girls bathroom.  Talk about lack of privacy!!   Got back from Venice about 9pm last night.  It was a lot of fun, but it was my first experience with weather seriously becoming an issue with the potential to tamper with my happy-meter.  We got there friday late morning *after 3 busrides, a flight and a water boat ride- I'm becoming pro with my transportation skills* and it poured ALL DAY.  We had decided to spend a little more than usual for our hostel  *about 30 euro a person for one night* and it was worth it.  The place was nice and authentic looking- the stairs to get up to the reception looked like we were inside a castle.  Venice has a lot of baby stairs we also found, which doesn't work so well with our large american feet.    We spent the day dodging in and out of shops, walked through Saint Marks Basilica ( so cool ) and stopped for coffee at a place called Florians *I think* .  I forget the exact significance of the place, but I know its been around for a very long time- possibly one of the first places to serve coffee ever?  I'll have to look up the history.  Anyways, the place was very cool and victorian looking and the waiters looked like they'd just stepped off the titanic.  I spent about $13 on a cappuccino, but I'd like to tell myself it was worth the experience.   That night we went out to dinner and then attempted to find a Piano Bar a waiter had told us about.  But if you've ever been to Venice you'd know that its set up is more confusing than Rome  *never would have thought it possible* and we spent at least an hour running around-- getting farther and farther away from our hostel, in the pouring rain.  Eventually we found a bar, though not what we had been looking for.  I was tired and still sick and just wanted to go to sleep, so we asked for directions to get back home.  I am the one who knows the most italian in the group *scary* so I understood most of what the man told us, but it would have been helpful to know the city we were in *which I don't at all* so we were lost again in minutes.  Somehow the 6 of us got split up as well.     We spent another hour at least running up and down deserted alleys, completely soaked and miserable. Eventually we had to take a water boat *also missed our stop* and got back home late.  The next day Carnivale began, so there were tons of people on the streets that had been empty the day before.  Sadly all of my belongings/clothing were still drenched from the night before *I had to pack lightly, of course, and re-wore almost everything from the day before* so I spent the day wearing 2 pairs of wet socks, wet knit boots and wet jeans and a wet bag/coat -ick!  Carnivale was craziness,  I was disappointed we didnt get to stay for the opening ceremony but we definitely got a taste of everything.  It was kind of like a circus, but with more oddly dressed up people, singing and dancing and weirdness.  One of my friends said it reminded her of a Beatles video. I'd imagine that had one decided to trip on acid while there, it'd be a seriously scary experience.  All in all, Venice was fun, though VERY expensive and wet.  I think the wet and cold worsened my cold, and I am currently laying in bed feeling awful.  Tonight is the superbowl, and a popular bar here is throwing a party for it.  Kickoff isn't until 12:30am our time- and they plan on staying open until 5am so people can watch the entire game- but I'm thinking I'll go for awhile then call it a night- got class tomorrow!  I'll put up some pictures of Rome, Interlaken and Venice so you can see my adventures!
