Around Venice

We got off the bus at some "parking island" as there is no way to drive directly into Venice. From there we took a boat to the main touristy part. Once there we were herded to the St. Mark's Square (San Marco Basilica) and given a quick orientation and shown the meeting point.

Once there the weather was very cold and foggy. Lily bought a fleece right when we got there to keep warm and I even agreed to wear a goofy hat just to keep warm. After seeing the sites we wanted to see we hopped from store to store seeking warmth. We even went to the McDonald's three times to get hot tea, which we referred to as "hand warmers".

After the orientation we were dragged to a glass blowing demonstration. This was not something we were particularly interested in but since it was cold so cold out we gladly agreed to hang out in a warm dry place for a while.. The demonstration itself was pretty interesting. We couldn't believe how gaudy the stuff was in the store. Everything from red glass goblets with gold trim to the famous Venetian glass chandeliers.

Afterwards we were left to fend for ourselves and tour the city. We spent most of the time checking out the little side streets and finding our way to the Grand Canal. The touristy part of the city appears to be absolutely brimming with tourist shops and certainly no shortage of tourists even considering the weather. It was the week before Carnival so there were people walking around dressed up in very fancy "costumes" complete with masks. Some of the costumes were extremely elaborate. We couldn't figure out why they do this as they just walk around and pose for pictures with tourists. Heck, they wouldn't even take money.

We eventually found our way to the Grand Canal where there is the Rialto Bridge that crosses it. All along the bridge where knick-knack shops and swarms of tourists.

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Katherine and Luz bundle up as soon as we get off the bus. Viewed: 71 times.	Our boat let us off near this statue. Viewed: 95 times.	Gondolas were parked nearby. Viewed: 94 times.
This is the Prigioni Nuove prison where Casanova was held. Viewed: 76 times.	Palazzo Ducale for Venice's rulers. Viewed: 57 times.	Two statues on columns at the entrance to St. Mark's Square. Viewed: 88 times.
Close-up of a winged lion. Viewed: 131 times.	St. Mark's Basilica was quite elaborate. Viewed: 106 times.	Some detail at the top of St. Mark's. Viewed: 53 times.
One of the many frescos on the outside of the building. Viewed: 54 times.	The tower was our meeting point. Viewed: 60 times.	Some Venetians dressed up for Carnival. Viewed: 111 times.
Heading to Vecchia Murano to learn about Murano glass. Viewed: 133 times.	It was nice and warm at the glass blowing demonstration. Viewed: 142 times.	A little to gaudy for my tastes. Viewed: 189 times.
Darn, the blue glass would clash with my rug. Viewed: 103 times.	Some workers installing pilings in a canal. Viewed: 132 times.	Lily can't resist a SALE sign no matter what language it's in. Viewed: 63 times.
More Venetians all dressed up. Viewed: 89 times.	A busy street near the Rialto Bridge. Viewed: 73 times.	Maybe I should have picked up an Italian tie? Viewed: 86 times.
Finally the Rialto Bridge. Viewed: 110 times.	Nice banner. Viewed: 137 times.	Shops line either side of the bridge. Viewed: 85 times.
View of the river from the bridge. Viewed: 88 times.	And the other side. Viewed: 100 times.

Gondola Ride

After doing that for a while we traversed some narrow canals. Some sections where pretty beat up and others where in the process of renovation. Still not something you see every day. We were particularly amused by how tight the turns where and we were all amazed they got those long gondolas around the corners without scraping the sides. The other thing we found amusing where the signs directing gondola traffic as well as how the gondoliers themselves directed traffic at tight intersections.

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Woo hoo! We're taking a gondola ride! Viewed: 87 times.	The only picture I allowed to be taken of me in the goofy hat. Viewed: 84 times.	A gondolier with the old customs building in the background. Viewed: 66 times.
Nice boat! Viewed: 47 times.	Viewed: 70 times.	Our gondolier wasn't very friendly. Viewed: 68 times.
Public transportation on the Grand Canal. Viewed: 39 times.	The musicians entertained us most of the ride. Viewed: 34 times.	I really like this building. Viewed: 49 times.
Viewed: 60 times.	Viewed: 73 times.	Busy intersection on the canals. Viewed: 78 times.
	Here are some quick clips taken using the goofy video feature of my camera. These clips were of us on the gondolas QuickTime Movie - Approx. 6.6MB RealVideo - 56K modem or faster stream (54 seconds) Viewed: 525 times.

Comments From People Like You! Side Trip to Venice : Innsbruck, Austria 2002	add a comment
MARK 23-Aug-2003 02:27
MY COMMENTS WOULD TAKE UP ALOT OF ROOM ON YOUR SITE..BUT I'M COMPELLED TO MAKE ONE NONETHELESS. AFTER THE PASSING OF TWO VERY CLOSE FRIENDS IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD THIS MONTH, AND ME, ALMOST BEING KILLED IN A RAGING FIRE, I CAME UPON WHAT SEEMED TO BE SOME EVIDENCE OF MY FRIENDS SPEAKING TO ME FROM BEYOND..AND THEN..A COINCIDENCE BROUGHT ME TO YOUR WEB PAGE..ONLY TO FIND MY OWN FACE IN ONE OF YOUR PICTURES...ST. MARK...WOW..I'M STILL IN DISBELIEF.. .DESPITE THE FACT THAT I'VE NEVER BEEN TO VENICE. IT SOUNDS CRAZY, SPOOKY AND ALL THAT, I KNOW..BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW..YOUR PICTURES HAVE BROUGHT ME GREAT INNER PEACE. THANK YOU FOR THEM. I'M VERY INTERESTED IN KNOWING MORE ABOUT THE LION ON THE POLE WITH THE BALL UNDER IT. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY OTHER PICTURE OF IT ANYWHERE ONLINE OR ANY INFORMATION ON IT AT ALL. AS WE SAY IN CALIFORNIA, ''THANKS DUDE. PEACE OUT."    :)

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