Venice, Italy

  Venice, Veneto, Italy
Thursday, September 11, 2008

Ah, Venice.

I came to the conclusion that Venice doesn't even seem like it should exist as an actual place. Its more like somewhere you would dream up - "I know, there won't be any cars, and instead of streets there will be canals. And everywhere you look will be drama and masks! And why don't you throw in an island a stones throw away that makes beautiful glass and fill the town with it!" Yep, Venice is definitely dream like.

I arrived there late one evening after spending a good deal of time on a train from Rome (luckily I had just acquired Tori Spelling's book from the book exchange, so that filled some time). I didn't have anywhere to stay, and since there isn't much in the way of cheap accommodations in the heart of Venice I was planning to catch a bus out to all the camp grounds. Yes, I know. So, it turns out I had a little trouble with the bus because it didn't have proper signage, but it turned out fine because in the interim I met a couple of nice Australian girls.  I finally made it back to the site and the girl at the front desk is giving me my lodging options and I choose the middle choice and was on my way. I trudged through the site, while providing dinner for the local mosquitoes, and promptly turned around and asked for the next accommodation up. Her response? I knew you'd be back! What!? Hilarious. Anyway, I settled into my (air conditioned) trailer and thought that camping this way isn't horrible (it still wasn't the best though, and I was ready never to do it again).

The next day I headed back into Venice and basically just started getting lost. There really is no point in trying to actual get anywhere, so I just wandered.  And quickly became obsessed with the masks and the Murano glass. On this trip I haven't bought too many souvenirs, but I seriously had to stop myself from buying everything. (It also helped that everything I fell in love with was pretty much ridiculously out of my price range. But I really did want that €200 mask...)  I also decided that I will certainly have to come back for Carnevale in Feb, (and I might have to find some way to acquire that €200 mask). Overall, it was just great fun to wander around and take it all in (and window shop all the masks and glass.) I also decided that when I get home I am having a Masquerade Ball!! (I am also sad to say that this reminded me of a certain teen centered show where they did the same thing. Also sad that I am missing new episodes...)  I went to St. Marks Square and saw the huge church, but mostly I just sat in horror as seemingly normal people lost their minds and allowed disgusting pigeons to land on various part of their bodies. WHY? Why would you want to do this? Pigeons are really, really gross. I didn't last long before I had to leave. It's not right people!! 

The next day I basically just did more of the same. Wandering around, shopping, planning my masquerade ball... I was content to sit in a window sill at the edge of the grand canal for a good while when I realized there was a storm blowing in. It actually turned out to be the perfect spot - I stayed mostly dry, and had a front row seat to watch everyone else scramble around to do the same. Most were not as lucky and got drenched. The city pretty much completely emptied out for a while, I have no idea where everyone went, but I wasn't going to leave my shelter to find out! The rain finally stopped, the temp had dropped, and I was able to get back to my wandering.

I think I could wander here forever... (Figuratively as well as literally - the signs will take you in circles and a map does you no good!)

Tomorrow a little day trip to Murano to see the glass (!!!!) and then its off to Slovenia.