Paris - Venice

The actual flight from Paris to Venice was a short 3 hours maximum.
We booked a transfer shuttle to the Airport, there were various transfer shuttles traveling throughout the day so we figured that we'd get an early transfer and hang out in the Airport, do some shopping, have a leisurely meal and chill out before boarding. We were wrong.
As it turns out the free transfer is only applicable for the shuttle bus that arrives at the airport moments prior to your departure.

The day was wet, the wind was fierce, tempers were short and warmth a rare commodity as we sat cuddled up under open jackets, looking homeless. I noticed hubby's lips were turning blue between the sounds of my own teeth chattering uncontrollably. Thankful that it was my turn I rose to brace the cold and shiver my way across the road to the local shopping center.

I know, I know, you're thinking what the hell are you doing sitting in the cold when there's a shopping center just across the road?

Well, my friends we're not as foolish as it may seem ...

Upon our first visit to the 'shopping center' we noticed how classy, modern and fashionable the shops were - this was designer central. Large open spaces between the boutiques without one stick of seating - nothing. We made our way through the center and stood in line for the only food servery in the center, we waited for ages before we found a crowded table and squeezed our backpacks in. Once we finished there were still loads of people waiting to be seated so we didn't linger, we instead investigated if there was somewhere to sit and chat out of the cold. Some teenagers were sitting on the stairs that formed the entrance to some unknown 'opening soon' store, as we passed a security guard motioned for them to move on. Obviously loitering was frowned upon. Sure, the security guard may have been cautious because they were kids, but with the language difference and the fact that at this stage we looked like backpackers, we thought it poor form to take up residence were the teenagers had been evacuated from. We summoned up our available Euros and knew there was no way we could afford another meal each from the restaurant, just to be warm and seated.

So, we took it in turns to trek from the bus stop to the shopping center for hot drinks (to keep the hands warm if nothing else) every hour or so, the coffee cart guy must have thought it was his lucky day when more tourists started to cotton on.

It was an interesting experience.