Uncle Bob's Legacy
Bob's Journey to Europe
(As told by Robert McGill through his June - August 1938 Diary.)
Venice & Milano
Tuesday, July 19, 1938
Rode all day on the train. From Budapest to Treieste. Got here at 8 o'clock very tired and hungry, Ate spaghetti, cheese and red wine.
The train for Venice leaves at 10:35. Changed $10 for £117 - got screwed.
the blon on the train helped us a great deal in making train connections. I don't know where we shall stay in Venice, but I dread looking for a place.
Wednesday, July 20, 1938
Arrived in Venezia this morning at 2:30 -The American's wife helped us a lot. We stayed the first night at the Splendid Hotel. I must never forget the First Gondola ride or the American girl we met on the train.
Spent the day woaking around those narrow streets. Found the American Express and also found another hotel - moved in the afternoon.
There are a lot of Americans here. Both boys and girls. We met 3 boys from new York and 3 from Virginia. Hotel splendid cost 114£.
Thursday, July 21, 1938
Slept late. Then ate breakfast and went down to American Express. bought tickets for 165 to go on boat trip to Borno and also stop at lace and glass factories for which Venice is noted.
Bought two small articles from each place. Tehy are very expensive. Or one very poor one of the two.
Spent the evening in Morco Square looking at a yaught in the harbor and listening to the singing and watching people and Gondolas. This is the strangest place I ever saw.
Friday, July 22, 1938
Went in the Mosque today. I slipped in! climbed the tower and bought tortoise shell cigarette case and leather case. Paid $5 for them here. They would cost $20 at home.
Met some American girls. We didn't have the money to take them around. Spent the day seeing what there was left to see. Mostly street and stores.
This is the strangest and quaintest place I ever saw in my whole life. I shall come back here some day.
Saturday, July 23, 1938
Today was really a good. We met our friends from Budapest and saw one of boat friends from Arkansas. 3 women about 50. They're really alot of fun. Told us all about zip, etc.
One of them knows a girl she wants me to date at W & L. Also Gibbens must date one. Told Americans we had to leave at 1:25 and would meet them in Paris.
Went for a Gondola ride with a widow 50 years old from Texas. I shall never forget it. she also bought us drinks and paid for G. ride. Rode up Grand Canal to station.
Sunday, July 24, 1938
Arrived in Milano this morning at 6. Another one of those days. Walked about 3 miles to American Express. We had 10£ between us. Bought 3.00 in £. Went to see Milano in one day. It is a very neat and beautiful city. Saw the "Last Supper" by Devinci. One of the most important things to see in Milano. Left Milan at 12 o'clock for Bern.
Before we left we ate 2 big plates of spaghetti. Boy I was famished. I mean to tell you.
Monday, July 25, 1938
Arrived in Milano at 6 in the morning. Saved two hotel bills but I thought I lost 2 months off my life.
We are waiting now for the Express to open up. Saw Last Supper and Cathedral. About all of interest too see in Milano. It is really a beautiful city and a good place to spend several weeks. The Pensions are very beautiful and very modern. The Last Supper was a disappointment, I don't guess I appreciate art like I should.