We are getting to know our tour group. Besides us from the USA there is one other couple from Colorado, 3 couples from Canada, and 6 from Australia.
Some fun facts:
1. It costs from .50 to .70 euro to use the toilette when you are out and about. (pee smells funny regardless of the language you are speaking)
2. The light switches are the opposite of ours. You push down for on and up for off.
3. Most of the hotel rooms can't charge all our electronics at once, so we are being creative. The rooms also have a master switch. If it is off then no switches in the room work.
4. Being from San Diego we do not know what it is like to have water pressure. It is very nice. You can drink water from the tap! Imagine that!
5. Butter, cheese, and meats are incredible. Way better than what we are used to.
6. Everywhere we have been people speak English (maybe not real well, but an honest effort is being made). It is the language of commerce.
7. Tipping is not the same. Some places you do not tip at all. When you do it is ten percent.u
8. Drinks are not always cold. When you order a soda (which most Europeans do not often drink) they do not come with ice in them. Drinks out of a cooler are marginally cool.
Regular water is referred to as "still" water.
Diet coke is "coke light". Same label but less carbonated and tastes different. Have not seen Pepsi anywhere.
9. If a waiter ask you if you would like a specific wine/beer or the typical fare, opt for the typical fare. It will be the best, guaranteed.
Beautiful ride through the alps today. It is sunny and sorta warm.
Tonight we had a great Italian dinner, then a proseco in st marks square listening to a string/woodwind quintet. Then we took a moonlight ride down the grand canal.
