Venice-"A City for Beavers" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I looked up quotes for the title of this blog. I felt that a trip to Venice needed a quote to welcome you to this post. This one made me chuckle so hence the post. But I feel that:

"It is held by some that this word VENETIA signifies VENI ETIAM, that is, come again, and again, for however oft you come, you will always see new things, and new beauties." ~ Sansovino

was better to share how I felt. I loved Venice. I had heard differing opinions and is it my favorite city ever? No but I absolutely loved the history and beauty of it all.

http://slowtalk.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/5761018721/m/5821035281 (for other Venice quotes, click here)

I went with my fellow tutor Rachel's host family. We took the train in and got there at about 11. Just to let you know, try to use the restroom on the train cause at the train station they charge you to enter and there are only about 5 or 6 stalls to deal with tons of people. That line was deceiving and I waited a while in line. Anyway, when you get there, you are already greeted by the Grand Canal. Luckily, Rachel's host mom had a friend who was born in Venice, moved away and lives there again to give us a tour. So I was given a tour of Venice by a real Venitian. I totally thought of my friend Jeff, and how jealous he would be. So I hope he reads this. There water taxi's and buses are expensive. The chaepest is about 7 dollars one way. The glitz of Venice is mostly along the Grand Canal because they figure that is where the tourists will stay. Although, as we had a more personalized tour, we went all ni and out of the streets and around the different canals of the main island. (We didn't have a chance to get to any of the others, another day I suppose).

The water is a light cloudy green and yes I put my hand in it. But it wasn't as gross as people said but it wasn't clean. But, if you think of it as a road as what it technically is, then why would you expect it to be clean? Oh and apparently the men who drive the gondolas are millionaires. Why? They charge $50.00 a person for a ride. I would be a millionaire too. Oh and there is only one shop left that make gondolas. And then I wondered if they make them and ship them to the Venitian hotel in Vegas, or if Vegas has their own maker?

There is a bridge there which was known as the boxing bridge. People would box and then fall off and into the river. There is a railing now but footprints on the floor so you know where to stand as you wait in your corner. There is another bridge which apparently you and your lover put a lock on, and write your names on the lock and lock it to the bridge symbolizing your eternal love. Pretty adorable but I thought there would be more. And I didn't know about that bridge. Did you?

And because I'm a dork, last night I asked if they knew the building in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The people I was with thought I was crazy and didn't know. Our tour guide though took me there! I have a picture on the grate that Harrison Ford climbs out of in front of the building. Oh and you'd be surprised, not a lot of people knew the significance of that building. Pfh, some people.

We walked to Saint Mark's Square and were unable to go inside cause the line was crazy. There were tons of people there and the pigeons are aggressive. Because they know that the tourists will fed them, they will land on your hand and shoulder waiting for food. And they will crowd you and not let you go. They are crazy aggressive and fly right at you. I was scared for my face. Truly.

I didn't know that Venice is known for their glass. Did you know that? I didn't. And I knew they had the Venitian masks, but not the glass. But now I know, and you do too now.
The shops are lined with masks and glass, and yes, I did cave and buy some and bought some for a few lucky people as presents. Are you one? You will have to wait.

Last night they were wondering waht to do for dinner. I asked if there was a meal in Venice that they were known for that we should try. Yes was the answer. Sardines with onion soup. Uh...no thank you. They did have a similar meal with shrimp but we didn't eat in Venice so next time. They did have a special ice cream, or gelato if you will but I couldn't have it because the chocolate had nuts in it. I got strawberry instead. It was super refreshing and everyone should have been jealous. All in all it was a good day!

When I started writing this blog, I was in the kitchen waiting for the soccer game to start (Italy versus England) and there was what I thought was an infomercial for old 70s disco music but it was just bad clips of bad 70s disco music cut at really random times for bad transitions. It looked like bad 70s drag queen Kareoke or something worse.

Now to watch the game! Go Italy!