Venice, Italy

After a couple days in Verona, I took the short train ride to Venice (Venezia in Italy). I arrived before sunset, so got to see the water that we crossed over to reach the island, and saw mergansers ducking under the water in pursuit of fish. I was excited to see this famed city. Once out of the train station, I only had a quick walk to the hostel I was staying in (L'Imbarcadero), so headed straight there to ditch my heavy backpack. I was in awe of the lack of vehicles first, and second by the number of people that were here even in November. On the ride to Verona I talked with a couple ladies from Germany headed to Venice, they said this was the best time because there are far fewer tourists in November and the weather is still pleasant enough. I am sure glad I didn't go during peak season...the small alleys that pass for sidewalks can sometimes not fit two people side by side.

After I dropped my stuff off, I headed out to explore the city. I had purchased a map, but it did me little good. The alleys are twisty and you often run into a dead end (if you're willing to swim it wouldn't be so dead). But it was really fun. I stopped for dinner in a piazza and watched tourists walking by checking out the menu. I was happy that there were lots of dogs also, even though I wondered how much fun dogs have in a city like this one. As I tried to make my way back to the hostel, I got completely lost, which was fine. I asked a nice man at a food cart to point out where I was on the map, and then he told me how to get home. I made it in one piece! Once I got back, the people in the hostel were making their dinners and I sat and chatted with them for a few hours. It was a great start to my time in Venice!

Everything important is done by boat in Venice. These packages weren't even
tied down or protected from rainy weather!

Most of my time in Venice I spent exploring the city and some of the islands. After being terrified of boats when I was little, I'm amazed how much I enjoy spending time on boats now. I bought the Venezia Card that got me passage on the vaporetto system for the whole time I was in Venice, and I made very good use of it. After breakfast at the hostel, I headed to Murano, the island known for glass making. I couldn't find the museum, and was not so impressed with the island, so I hopped on a vaporetto and headed to the cemetery island, where I spent a good amount of time sitting on a bench enjoying the quiet and the birds singing around me.

A gull watches of the dock at the cemetery island.

I really liked these thick ropes that were used to secure the vaporetto (boat buses)
to the vaporetto stops for people to get on an off.

The Grand Canal.

I was not willing to swim across the dead ends, and it's
probably frowned upon anyway.

My last day in Venice I spent a lot of time in San Marco. I was hoping to see it flooded, as it had done apparently the morning before I arrived. The city puts up raised sidewalks for people to walk on, and the locals pull on hip waders. I think I hit San Marco three times just hoping it would be flooded, but it never was. I spent some time exploring the Doge's Palace, where the rulers of the Venice empire laid down the law. It's one of very few palaces (maybe the only?) in Europe that does not have a barrier, they said it's because they ruled in a just manner and did not fear their constituents like other cities did. Interesting how we need armed guards and metal detectors to get into US government buildings...

The Bridge of Sighs with part of the Doge's Palace in front.

Pigeon feeding is a fun pastime in Saint Mark's Square.

Gulls were a common sight!

View of Venice from one of the towers. Was it worth 8 Euros? I think so.

Another view from the tower.

Venice's Grand Canal lit up at night.

I didn't get many night shots that I liked, but I do like this old lamp in St.
Mark's Square.

A street of Venice.

There are signs in most places pointing to either San Marco or Rialto, this one is
particularly helpful. It's an island, so you can't really get yourself lost!

A "spritz", a common Italian mixed drink. I did not like it very
much, but I realized later on the trip that everyone stirred it
before drinking...maybe that was part of my problem?

A couple of old ladies walking down the sidewalk along the Grand Canal.

The water level is easily seen here, along with some of the damage that comes
from building in salt water in a lagoon.

In Italy, there are lots of taps that are left running, apparently it is drinking water.
I thought it a bit wasteful, but the pigeons enjoyed it!

Fish at the famous fish market in Venice. As fresh as you can get.

One of hundreds of canals in beautiful Venice.

I attempted to get to Burano Island, which is known for lace making and very colorful houses, but I ran out of time. Instead I sat on a bench in a quiet part of Venice with trees and a view of the water. I was only disturbed once when a speedboat went crashing by and was airborne on every other wave...the gentleman the next bench over was shaking his head. After deciding that the movie "Labyrinth" must be made in honor of Venice's hidden passageways (think of the little worm pointing out the secret path), I finally decided to catch a boat and make my way back to the hostel. It was time to grab my pack and head to the train station for my next city, Florence.