More Canals

Venezia...island of canals, does that even make sense? Meg and I were only here for a day trip in 2001, which also consisted of a 7 a.m. stint in the local washateria to dry our clothes. Very quick and didn't get to see enough. Lucky for me the weather was beautiful, got to hang out in a sundress even....I'm loving the sun! Thankfully, the warm weather hasn't been here for long, so it doesn't smell too bad, every so often, you'd pass through an area that kind of knocked you back for a second; I can handle that--NYC in August isn't any better. I love Venice. Getting lost on all the tiny streets, the gondola men all dressed up in their stripes and scarves, and the people are so fun. Had dinner at a great place I stumbled across and the waiter was kind enough to give me a ride back to St. Mark's in his boat (married, with two children-mr. and miss incredible, very safe); such a cool experience to be on the water at night and getting a guided tour of the lit up buildings of Venice. I did a lot of browsing and bought a few glass jewelry pieces that I love (found a replacement glass ring for the one I broke--YEAH!). I met an older couple from California while waiting in line for the ATM, they weren't too impressed with the place, didn't see what all the fuss was about. It took all my effort to nod and delicately suggest where they should go--how could anyone not fall in love with a city like this. It's so cool! No cars, you're only dodging pigeons in the main square (which seem to be a tourist attraction in and of themselves, vendors sell packets of corn to tourists so that the pigeons flock and land on you and then you have a friend take your picture. With pigeons! These aren't doves people, they're flying rats...they've been eating garbage who knows what else and now they are crawling and pecking at your hands and arms, dirty, dirty. Ewe.). I digress. Anyways, it's a maze nobody is afraid to get lost in, that's what you are supposed to do, even the locals don't know their way around completely; and then while meandering the streets you get to cross over these little bridges that connect one side to the next--you can stop and smile at the gondola riders below, or just check out the locals boating around. It's so much fun, highly recommend a trip here for everyone. I enjoyed it so much. Off to Milan next and then I'm meeting up with George in Lake Como. ha-ha! ;)

I have pictures to post, but no time to do so right now. Will do tomorrow morning before heading off. P.S. Meg--As I was wandering the city streets, I found the restaurant we ate at. So funny, it was outside, but on a covered patio, slightly lifted off the ground, with a black iron fence that surround the tables, remember it at all? I walked around a building and saw it and immediately had a flashback. Too funny.