Making the most of Venice

This month's winner is NORMA KLOECKENER of Greenville, SC:

Having spent many years in Italy, I was anxious to go back, so about five years ago I planned a trip for three girlfriends and myself.

Our last night was in Venice. As we exited Harry’s Bar at midnight, I realized that we had not taken a gondola ride. Unthinkable! “Run,” I panted. “There’s a gondola station at our hotel.”

When we arrived at the hotel, there was only one sour-faced, tired gondolier, and his price was outrageous. “OK,” I finally said as we struggled to get into the gondola… without any help.

As the gondolier pushed off, I called to him, “What are you going to sing for us?”

“I don’t sing,” he muttered with a frown.

“No problem,” I responded. “I’ll sing.”

When he turned around this time, he was smiling: “If YOU sing, signora, I can charge more!”

So, with many laughs, we ALL sang as we had a delightfully long ride.