The landing in Venice was very similar to that of my experience in Rome. By that I mean we did not get a terminal. We stayed on the tarmac and were herded onto a bus, and that bus took us to baggage claim. When we were walking to the bus we were faced by what some would call bitter cold, being a Minnesotan I scoffed at them. Personally, I find 45 degrees refreshing after the heat of Rome. Also, they don't know bitterly cold until they have walked to class in eight feet of snow (uphill both ways mind you) with wind whipping in their face and the weather at well below zero.
When we made it to the hotel we were blown away. It was so beautiful. It was sitting right on a canal with red and white striped poles in front of it, and the water was lapping onto a set of stairs (the bottom one covered in algae). Our room looked out to the canal and when we were sitting in it we could hear the boats passing by. Each time one did my dad would perk up and say "Una Barca!" (italian for boat) and race to the window to see it. I love my parents.
After a bite to eat in the hotel we all fell into bed. Well, my parents did. My bed was actually a pull out couch that was horrible. So I pulled the cushions off the couch and covered those in my sheets. So let me rephrase. My parents fell into bed and I fell into my couch cushions.
We woke up bright and early for our first day in Venice and had a scrumptious breakfast at the hotel. Our servers name was Bane and we loved him. He was so happy and friendly (on day two he remembered our coffee orders, I found that impressive). We happily munched on an assortment of pastries before heading out.
First stop: the island of Murano. This island is known for their blown glass, and the hotel had set us up with a shuttle and a tour of one of the factories. It was really cool to see. In order to become a master glass maker you have to do it for thirty years. The factories are usually family owned and operated, a fact we all found interesting. The experience would have been way more cool if they had not kept trying to get us too buy stuff. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to buy glass, just not a huge sculpture or chandelier fit for a palace. Not really my cup of tea.
After that we just wandered over to San Marco. This is the main hub of the island and home to a huge and beautiful church. The piazza was filled with people. Turns out we had stumbled onto a University graduation. At first we thought it was cute. Then they started chanting a song, loudly, and repeatedly. It very quickly went from cute to obnoxious.
Over the course of the two days we did a lot walking over cute bridges and down darling streets that ran along the canals. We also went into nearly every store. Mom and I were on the hunt for gifts. Dad, growing anxious and being a stereotypical male who hates shopping started a hunt of his own, one for pastries. So the girls stopped in every glass shop and Dad stopped in every bakery, I think it was a fair trade off.
The weather while we were in Venice was kinda crumbly. We spent part of the first day walking under awnings to avoid the rain. The second day was mainly really nice. That is, until the evening. The skies opened when we were on the way to meet my roommates for dinner. I became soaked (we all did). I think I liked it the least.
Other note worthy news. My mom is in love with the linens and dish-ware over here. She gasps when she sees them and picks them up and proclaims that she must find them. She is also in love with the windows and doors in Venice and Rome. She is starting albums entitled "Doors in Italy" and another called "Windows in Italy." I am in full support of this endeavor. I myself have taken pictures to contribute.
I am currently working on editing my pictures to get them up. Don't hold your breath though. It may take me a few days to get them up.
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