Rainmaker

A cliche always has some element of truth-

Last night we started at Eddie's bar.  Eddie is a friendly Albanian who looks like a thicker version of Tom Cruise.  He's warm and transformed the bar into what it is in just a few weeks.  He told us that a month ago, no one ever came to the bar and it was a bit rundown.  If it were to be classified, it's a sports bar.  There's a baseball mitt and bat hanging (and one stowed under the bar for unruly customers.)  There's also a gigantic flat screen and some slot machines in the back.  He has a goofy Chinese man who also helps out.  The past few nights we've been plopping down in his outdoor seating area.  His attention to table service is very attentive and prompt.

On the way there, there were some men who were a bit confused as to where to go.  I figured I'd repay the favor and lead them where to go just like our beloved Argentineans did a few weeks ago.  A few were from Florida but there was a very annoying Canadian who was trying to speak Italian to me-
"DOH-VE EL DIS-CO-TECH-A?"  Come on dude, look at me, you're a moron.

We were passing piccolo mondo and of course it was closed.  It was only 11:30.  We dropped them off at Santa Margarita and they were thankful.  Hey, why not share the love, but that little dude really erked me.

Venice is a small, small place.  People are familiar and you cannot escape them.  These two familiar men parked themselves near us at Eddie's and just sat and watched.  Big time cultural variance.
America:  "Hey, How are you, can I buy you a drink?"
Italia:  They just sit, prey, and plot your moves.  
Sorry boys, I've got a good noggin on my shoulders - I'm a bit of a challenge.

As we were all sitting there, there were these two lagoon creatures with adorable pups in tow.  The one, unleashed was named Mario.  The owner of Mario was clearly cracked out.  His face was dripping with sweat and his mannerisms were insane.  He serenaded us as he was leaving:  "We come from New York Citaaay, best metropolis in the world!!!"  That tune was a new one to me...

His friend freaked me out as well.  The pup he had was adorable.  Small, but with very large ears.  He asked me where I was from but was unsatisfied with New York.  So I told him my family was from Italia and that seemed to work.  There were a bunch of bellas directed towards me mixed with other intoxicated flattery and then he went in for the kiss.  This is why I don't do drugs.  I gave him a cold cheek and sent him on his way.

Meanwhile- the vultures were still preying in the background watching this tragic comedy.  A few of us went home from our group and the lovely lady Carolina was in it for the long haul with me.  The triumphant return of party kim was underway!  My cold was clearing and I think Caroline was happy to have me back.

The vultures made their move once we were alone.  Come on dudes- grow a pair.  Ends up- they weren't even Italian, they were were Albanian.  Their names were Tony and Gomy (HA!)  I met Tony the other night in passing and he asked me if I remembered his name - clearly not.  He tried to call me something other than Kim and he was sadly mistaken.  Sorry - must have been your other innocent prey.  Gomy was Eddie's cousin and Tony was well dressed in a crested blazer.  Conversation was interesting but unimportant.  One thing I did learn was that it's believed and said that you have to look into the eyes of the person that you're toasting with otherwise you will not "love" for 7 years.  Eddie's girlfriend was visiting from Albania as well.  She was an understated beauty but sat quietly in the corner on her computer.  Eddie was shitfaced. If I was her, I would have either partied with him, or slapped the crap out of him, but that's just me.

Eddie's mojitos were really great, which is strange to me.  Caroline and I sucked down two and were plotting our escape from the Albanian tallons.  We ended up at piccolo mondo (the small world/scum club) and low and behold our Americans were there!  Thank goodness!  Pumba and Timon got the memo and we were free.  There was a girl at the club who was completed too far gone.  Her flipflops gave away her tourist status.  Her high wasted shorts were unflattering and completed with a silk scarf belt.  She was destin for a porcelain future so I had some fun mimicking her.  Her spaztic dance moves were entertainment for both me and the people watching, I think she was having a good time too.  I kinda felt bad.  It's undesirable to be that far gone - but hey, it happens.  America bought us a drink and we headed on our way.  On the way out, my cough acted up.  I was surprised that the hardened bartender offed me a glass of water.  This woman is great.  Her exterior and personality is rugged but I would be too if I had to deal with this unruly transient riff raff on a continuous basis.  I looked at her glass of water as a peace offering and the slight chance that she possesses a soul.

I accidently went to bed as the sun came up- whoops.
Torrential, and I mean torrential rain woke me up at around 9.  There's a locked door in my bedroom that  leads to a rooftop terrace.  I was unaware that it was a tin roof.  This one girl on the trip has an undying love for the potato chip.  At first, in my sleep, I thought she was eating some in my room, but it was just the downpour.  The thunder was great to listen to.

I was up and functioning relatively well on 3 hours of sleep, just in time for lecture.

P.S. The sun is shining. :)