From the Alps to the Grand Canal

Christmas break had given us four days to kill.

We had originally planned to take almost all of it and spend it snowboarding in Austria. We reserved a room in a hostel with a group of friends and everything. We woke up ridiculously early on Saturday morning and started the 2 hour drive to Naasfeld, Austria.

Nassfeld is one of the best ski areas I've been to. But since its only two hours away, it seemed hard to convince myself to stay the whole weekend up there. And coming home that night started to sound like a better and better idea. Why spend the money on a room when we could sleep in our own bed?


We had only made reservations at the hostel and no one had commited any money yet, so we wouldn't be screwing anyone out of money if we left. And so after about 5 hours of good boarding, Susan and I ditched our group and started to head back home.

Or so we thought...

On the way out of the resort area, I went the wrong way and ended up trying to turn around. The only thing is that the road I turned on to was an icy downhil slope. Not that much of a decline, but as it turned out, too much of a decline for our car.

Despite our new all weather tires, our Audi just didn't have the power or traction to get back up the hill. Good thing we had snowchains right?

Not so fast...

Yeah we had snow chains, but I should remind you that I am from Texas. I've never put snowchains on a car before. The last time I tried to put snowchains on my car was last year in Ljubljana, Slovenia. I really didn't have much luck and eventually gave up. We got about six nice Slovenian dudes to help us push the car to a cleared road.

So ever since then, Susan has been on my ass to get someone to show us how to put them on. And what did I do? I ignored her.

So now here we were- happy to be leaving for our trip home and spending the evening in our warm house watching a movie or something, but we can't get the car up a little bunny slope of a hill.

Swallow the pride. Susan went into a little hotel nearby to ask for help while I tried futiliy to figure out the stupid snow chains. In a few minutes, a healthy looking Austrian lady came out and said, "Move"! She showed me that even a half-witted monkey could put snow chains on a car. It was so easy.

We thanked her with one of the 6 bottles of cheap Champagne that we had in the car for whatever random Christmas parties we might end up at. That lady probably helps tons of people every year with their snowchains.

Cheers to you Austrian lady!!!

So we went on our way. And now even this Texan boy knows how to put snowchains on a car.

The remaining 3 of the 4 days of this Christmas break would not be nearly as eventful. Thankfully...

Saturday night, we enjoyed the company of a few of our closest friends. Playing board games, drinking wine, and spreading gossip about people we work with.

Sunday, Christmas Eve, we woke up and took an 1145 train down to Venice.

Venice is only an hour away from us and I think we take it for granted. Since its so close, we figure we can go anytime,... but then we don't. Well, we have actually gone down there several times, but not nearly as often as we should. It has a lot to offer. It is so picturesque, and has some pretty good pubs and stuff. It was nice to spend a few hours down there walking around and seeing it all decorated for Christmas. We took pictures, did a little shopping, and had some pretty decent pizza along the Grand Canal.

Here we are looking into a mirror in a store.

Some gondoliers taking a smoke and beer break.

Here I am sipping on some house wine while I wait for my pizza.

That's the Rialto in the background.

San Marco's Cathedral.

I guess gondola rides aren't as romantic as they used to be. This dude is on his cell phone!





So we headed back home that evening and spent Christmas Eve with some other friends who were having ahouse party. Not a lot of fun for me since I was a DD and also on stand-by. :( But it was still a good time.

And after all this, our last two days have been pretty anti-climatic. Christmas Day we were with friends yet again. Doing the usual secret santa thing and watching the Boondocks. Great show I must say.

Back to work on Wednesday. And time to start planning for NYE!!!