Hmmm...Padua...

Padua (or Padova as the Italians say) is probably a rather quaint place to explore when one is armed with a little time and a guide book. Sadly, both were in short supply when we rolled into Padua about 4:30 pm.

Published purpose for the stop: to see the Basilica di Sant'Antonio (Duoma and Baptistry) with its magnificient frescos. Suspected real reason for the stop: glorified bathroom break.









As you can see, the clear skies and sunshine had been exchanged for a rather creepy twilight setting. Very appropriate as you will see...read on.

After a one hour stop that included a 15 minute walk to the church, 30 minutes to see the church and have a restroom break (imperative for others on the tour), and a 15 minute walk back to the bus, we were set to depart Padua around 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, 3 members of our group were AWOL. MIA. Gone without a trace.

So, the tour manager, another tour member, and myself trekked back into Padua looking for the trio while everyone else waited on the bus. Being a gal that looks at the "glass half full", at least I got a bit of my run in that night. We never spotted them though...

When the wandering trio returned (about the same time we were returning to the bus), not all of our tour group was so accomodating or charitable. Rightly so...