Venice

I took the train from Switzerland to Venice, amazing train ride views! I changed in Milan, they have a large marble central station that is a very large building.  Outside they have a nice fountain, but I was only there a short time so I didnàt explore Milan too much. I arived at night to Manuels house, before I grabbed a slice of my first pizza in Italy, and in Milan had my first real Italian Gelato (yum!).

Satrday morning I went into Venice and on the way I met three lovely Scottish women who were there together celebrating their birthdays! They took me with them on the water bus and then I joined them in exploring Venice! They had been there preiously so they had an idea of the main areas to go to.  Walking through Venice was like a fiarytale, all the small streets, crossing a lot of bridges, and the water was so bright- greenish color.  I had heard that the water smelled but I didnt notice.  Manuel told me it was only on very hot days becase they water was evaporating and the water isnt very clean so that would make the stuff in the water smell more with heat and humidity.  The ladies had kids that had gone on backpacking trips as well so that was nice to hear about.  I am always happy to hear about other peoples travel experiences! We had lnch together as well, and I enjoyed window shopping with them.  I collected a patch with Venice on it so I can add it to my suitcase too.  We parted shortly after lunch (this was the ladies last day in Venice, they had to fly back to Scotland the next day, so they wanted to relax before the journey- I dont blame them!). I spent the rest of the day in Venice and at night went back to Manuels house.

Sunday Manuel accompanied me to Venice where he lived for 30 years so it was nice to have a tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the city and about Italy in general! I had the most amazing gelato I had ever had, at a place along the water with a characture of a penguin on the sign, I dont rememebr the name of the place unfortunately. Also, the best espresso I have ever had, it tasted creamy but there was no milk added...I will always remember that! I definitely have to bring some Italian coffee back home with me! (Yes, since being in Italy I have begun to drink it again..the thing about coffee here is that you have small cups, not the gigantic ones that Americans like to drink so I think it is better for me: and you also savor the taste more because you sip more slowly here!!

On the tour, I saw some of the quieter streets, less touristic side to venice. I saw where Manuel went to school as a child, and also the most northern part of Venice where there is a small park area.  There are numerous churches in Venice, way too many to be able to go into all of them.  We took a short gandola ride across the water and saw 2 weddings.

Gandolas, I never knew how specialized the industry was either! In order to be able to be a captain or driver of a gondala you have to go through many steps. First, you need to have your own gondola   They are custom made and there are only 2 places left to have them made so you need to be on a list and it usually takes about 2 years to have one custom built, according to your measurements.  The side the rower stands on is wider than the opposite side too, for balance.  After that, you need to go to a school to learn to row and manever them because there is not a lot of space in the canals and you need to be able to go around other boats and turn them around and keep your passangers safe, etc.  The test they put you through at the end is hard and not everyone passes.  If you get through those steps, then you are put on a waitlist for a job because the city sets a number of people that can have the gondola jobs and if there is not sn open job then you have to wait for someone to retire and be the next on the list to be able to work in the industry.  SO, you may go through all the steps and then not be able to get a job!

Unfortunately my camera decided to have a lens error and stop working, so I was very glad that I took a lot of photos the day before! At Manuels house, we ordered a pizza and he gave me some cool music and introduced me to some sounds I had not been aware of before, an Islandic band that was pretty cool.

Venice thoughts: It was absolutely beautiful, very touristy but with good reason! It is too bad its sinking, but well worth visiting and spending a few days as to not rush through this gem of a city.  Maybe someday I will get married here....