Saturday was Hot. Hot. Hot.
After Jim and I stopped by the library we decided to have a sandwich out. That would be supper which was fine with me. But, we came just as they locked the door at Einstein's Bagels - which is next door to Manoli Canoli - where I had lunch with Susan Gordon yesterday.
"I bet you'd love the grilled shrimp salad Susan had yesterday." Jim agreed he would. I knew in this heat I would have another Caprese plate ( sliced homemade mazzarella cheese and tomatoes with olive oil and olives.) And, one of Jim's shrimps.
We waited while the waiter re-set the sidewalk tables which were still wet from an earlier downpour. Another man stood in the sun with us - he took the red-checkered table and we took a near-by blue checkered one.
Jim turned to the man at the red-checkered table and laughed, "We like to imagine this is on the Fondamenta beside a canal in Venice." The man smiled, surprised. "I was just in Venice in April. The best vacation my wife and I have ever had. We stayed a week. Our 30th wedding anniversary. It was fantastic."
What an opening gambit for a memorable conversation.
For the next half hour the three of us shared our experiences and our conviction that Venice is a unique experience that you open yourself to. We traveled - separately and together - but all in the same place.
In venice there is no one place to see - no special sight - Venice is an expereince. The man was there for a week and fell in love. Jim and I had our five weeks there and romanced the city - or did Venice romance us. We would go back in a minute. It is our favorite destination.
As he left we shook hands. "maybe we will meet again - in Venice."
A minute later the waiter arrived with a glass of wine,"for you, from the gentleman."
Jim and I agreed - if Einstein's had been open - we would have missed the boat for this encounter and the ride on the Grand Canal.
On the Via Garibaldi, Venice
Traveling.
2 comments:
I love these chance encounters. Today we were in a little town and I was snapping photos. A man passed by and I grinned at him and said can't you tell we ain't from here? In the ensuing conversation we learned much about the town's history, where to eat dinner, the oldest house, his grandfather's unusual name and about a tragic railroad tunnel collapse--all in about 10 minutes.
Your chance encounter provided so many rekindled memories for you. What a gift (not to mention a free glass of wine!).
A real "close encounter" - great!
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