Welcome to Italy

After the trip to Dubrovnik, I caught the bus, then ferry, and finally train to Venice. The train was a bit of a headache. Reservations couldn't be made by the time I arrived, so instead of sleeping on the overnight as hoped, I sat on a tiny pull down seat in the hall outside the cabins for five hours. You would think after a night of no sleep, I would crash once I arrived, but Venice was a jolt of energy and I couldn't sleep.

So in a land of canals and bridges, what do you do?...get lost, and enjoy. The main streets often narrowed down to just a meter wide. In almost any other context it would feel like a dark alley, but here in a land populated by the extremely wealthy and/or tourists, it was perfectly safe and so much fun.

The bridges are everywhere and have a fairly common look until you arrive at the Constitution bridge near the train terminal by Santiago Calatrava. With a cost that exceeded the budget drastically, compromises the already deteriorating foundation of the city, and it's modern design, there isn't much for positive feedback provided by the locals. It is a little odd to traverse as well. Too low of a rise and long of a run.

San Marco square, San Marco church, the tower, Doge's Palace were all very cool. You could get lost in the city and the tiny streets and then open up to the grand public square. The floor of the church was incredibly uneven. They focused much of the structural stability at the perimeter, so the interior floor was all over the place. Connected to the back of the Doge's Palace is The Bridge of Sighs. Prisoners would be transported through this bridge before being locked up, the would see the beauty of Venice for the last time and sigh.

During my trip back from the island of Murano to see the glass makers, I walked the the park and back toward San Marco square on my way home. When crossing a bridge I noticed some minor commotion. An old man had fell and hit his head on the marble steps and was unable to get up. There was a couple of people helping, but he was obviously in terrible shape. I was so annoyed and saddened by all the stupid tourists walking over the guy like he wasn't there, continuing with their picture taking. I mean, come on people. The boat ambulance came, wrapped his head, and carted him away. It made for a reflective evening.

More to discuss on later trips to Cinque Terre, Bologna, Pisa, and now Rome to come soon. Peace people!