Venice
I abandoned all hope of getting my luggage, and we bought a high speed train tickets from Milan to Venice. Only it was not a smooth ride-- somehow we had been sold duplicate tickets and our seats were taken. I sat down in the chair next to our seats, contemplating what we should do, when I had a near confrontation with an irate lady, whose seat I was sitting in. The train conductor thankfully sorted it all out and we were given new seats. My first impression of Italians was not a good one.
Our arrival in Venice was magical. The land seemed to just end, there at the port-- only the city kept going out into the sea. All transportation was now by boat, or on foot. Emily and Bob were to arrive around the same time, but we did not cross paths there at the train station, so we set out by boat to St. Marks Square to find our hotel. It truly is the GRAND CANAL. Unlike a freeway though, there are no lanes and boats careen across the canal at all speeds. It was a real adventure! We wandered around the square looking for the tourism information and directions to the hotel. There are not really any "street addresses" in Venice. We were just given general directions, and miraculously we found the hotel with Emily and Bob waiting on us. It was the most round- about- obscure place- ever, but completely charming and we loved our two nights there. Bob did good!
Our grand hotel
A view from the Campanile Bell Tower
Emily feeding the pigeons at San Marco Square with St. Marks Basilica in the background
Mardi Gras masks donned many of the shops. The long-nose beak one was worn by the medical physicians during the plague to keep away the smells of death.
Sinking churches
Be careful what you order! Emily ordered Squid (thinking along the lines of Calimari) What she got was Squid- with ink!!!
She said it tasted good- as long as she didn't look at it- only we had to look at her eating it!!!
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| The Magical Venice Grand Canal |
Tight quarters
Inside St. Marks Basilica; note the gold ceilings
Doges Palace, and the "winged lion" of Venice
Emily and Bob with the Tetrarchs in the background
The Clock tower of San Marco Square
The "Bridge of Sighs" A prison walkway across the canal from Doges Palace where you could hear the prisoners "sigh" from the canal below
Venice- the most romantic city!
The winged lion is the symbol of Venice
Up on the Rialto Bridge
A view of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge
Brad at the Fish market, checking out the EEL
Our Gondola Ride!
Locking our love to the bridge, and throwing away the key...
Our trip to Venice was fabulous! We had such a good time exploring the streets and canals, even at night. We took a boat ride over to the glass factory, and rode the canal several different directions just to take it all in. Our favorite pizza was from a corner street cafe. This was Bobs first trip to Venice, and he won't admit it- but he had a good time too! Yes, I am wearing the same clothes the whole time. Emily was kind enough to lend me an outfit of hers while we were there- and I wore it both days. I was finally able to find some flip flops on the second day too, and save my feet from the fancy sandals I wore on the plane.
