Nexteh Stoppeh...

Before I move on to Firenze, I must include a word on Italian pronunciation of English. As you probably know, Italians are addicted to vowels like Americans are addicted to free stuff (samples, refills, etc.).

They're sort of the anti-Poles (who have words like wszczniesz).

When Italians speak in English, they tend to add vowels to the ends-eh of-ah every word-eh. The perfect example of this appeared on Venice's boat busses. In order to accommodate the tourists, the computerized voice that announced the stops spoke first in Italian, then in English. But even the computerized voice added vowels to the ends of words!!! "Nexteh stoppeh: Accademia."

Now if only the computers could make expressive hand gestures...