[QUOTE=wideman;9365846]Another way to look at it:

But my clearest memory is the of my first arrival in Venice by water taxi, standing up in the back of the taxi with my eyes and mouth agape at the sight of this incredible real-life Disneyland unfolding, bit by bit, before my eyes in the morning sun.
QUOTE]

Don't misunderstand me: I like the US and Disneyland, BUT your statement about Venice being an "incredible real-life Disneyland" seems to me to write it politely very strange . Venice is part of our often messy European heritage for which our American friends come to visit us - hopefully despite the weak USD.