Abby, Alyssa & Edward had a GREAT time this June in Italy.  They spent 5 days in Florence and 5 in Venice, and it was VERY hot nearly the whole time they were there (~100 degrees F).  WeÕre all pretty sure that Venice is AbbyÕs favorite foreign city, and that sheÕd say Gondolas are her favorite form of transportation.  Abby had suggested that the family go to Venice when Alyssa said that she wanted to go on a trip for her (40th!) birthday.  Abby knew all about Venice from her ÒKatarinaÓ story/music CD, which is all about VivaldiÕs school for orphans in Venice.  Katarina, the protagonist, turns out to be the grandaughter of a Duke whoÕd searched for her since her family was lost at sea when she was a baby.  On the CD, the gondoleer tells Katarina that in Venice Òthe streets are made of water.Ó  When she was in Venice, while traveling on a boat one day, Abby said that Òthe bridges are the crosswalks over the streets of water.Ó