June 8 - Playing hooky in Venice!

YAY for Venice! We set out today full of thoughts about the sights we would see and the stuff we would experience. And while we did see and do a lot of stuff, we didn't do the museum, cathedrel, church stuff that we had been doing before. And in my opinion it went a lot better. Since we have about three days in Venice we decided that instead of being so gung-ho the first day, we would take our time and duck in and out of little shops and cafes and really experience the sinking city. We left on the 10am shuttle to the city and didn't leave to go back to the camp site until 10:30pm. A long time, but totally worth it.

We had gelatto and strolled and even bought baguettes, prochutto and cheese to make sandwiches that we could enjoy while people watching. I bought a few things (for myself and others) but knew that the large and beautful carnival masks were beyond me. Not only in price but because there would be no way that I could carry it. I have one book bag and really overload duffle. No way was a huge elaborate mask with silver butterfly wings and feathers going to fit in it. Even if it would have been a purchase that would change my life. But I saw some stores with signs saying they shipped around the world, so maybe if I see something else that I can't live without, I might take advantage of it.

Just to let you know, you might not see the pictures, but I am taking a lot and eventually (meaning when I got to Ireland at the very latest) I'm going to post it somewhere for all to see.

You know, I look at what I've written before and I don't know how I had so much more to say. I just don't know how to convey some of the things that I've seen. Buildings of burnt orange and red, bridges left and right going over small canals filled with water that while isn't blue has a beauty all its own. And travelling through the water? Gondalas and water taxis and buses, people going left and right and filling the air with the sound of a language I wasn't born knowing. But about those gondalas? Very expensive. So expensive that I am going to leave this city without ever riding one. Depressing no? But you know what did meet my expectations? The glass.

I hadn't really thought about hot Venetian glass is one of the most beautiful in the world but now I can say that after seeing it with my own eyes I completely agree. Colors and shapes exploded around me as Laura, Lian and I walked across the Rialto, and even I couldn't escape buying a piece or two. If any of you get the chance to get your hands on a piece of it, count yourself lucky. I know I feel that way.