Venice is buzzing with tourists and the people who keep them coming. I love all the boats, water buses, vaporettos, water taxis, gondolas, polizia locale, and personal watercrafts. It is a busy hive of activity.
I have been surprised by the number of dogs running around, both with their masters and by themselves. But I haven't seen any of their messes. Baxter would not be welcomed in Venice.
I also wonder about the children I have seen. How many are tourists and how many live and go to school here. Where do they go to school and where do they play? There are no playgrounds or even grass to play on, and I haven't seen any schools as we have prowled the city. If there are children living on the island, I am sure they go onto the mainland for school.
We went to the island of Murano today. It is famous for its glass industry. We went to a demonstration that was interesting. To be able to shape glass, fire must get to temperatures of up to 5000 degrees. It is quite a process to do intricate designs and shapes. But they make everything from chandeliers, vases, plates, cups, figurines to beaded bracelets and other jewelry. The colors used are a vibrant array from the rainbow. Most of the main glass factories are family owned. They teach family members the art of the trade and it continues generation after generation. Those who desire to be doctors, lawyers, etc. end up leaving the island.
Murano
This is a common sight that we have seen everywhere we go.
I love this so much I may start hanging my laundry out to dry when we get home.
Or not.
This guy is cute! We have been having such a great time together!
Demonstration of the glassworks factory...
Putting it into the fire...
And into my bag. Shopping!
It was another hot and muggy day. We could drink the canal we are so thirsty, but buy bottled water instead. And we make sure to get the naturale water, not the frizzante (sparkling water in the USA), a mistake made our first day here.
Very few restaurants serve tap water with ice.
It is our last night in Venice so we are on our last stroll through the city. We keep running into "lost" folks, much like we were our first night here (just not so late). We chuckle now as we see their confusion and laughter, and can even direct a few on their way. We are pros! As long as we have an iphone and a map!
Cruising the Grand Canal
Thank goodness for iphone maps!
Love!
Pinch!
Sunset pictures
Cruising around on the vaporetto at night, seeing Venice from the water, was as much fun as prowling the alleys. The highlight of our wanderings found us back at San Marco Basilica. We found we enjoyed it more with fewer people and cooler temperatures. The shops were more vibrant in the evening shadows. We took more pictures and ate more pizza, and gelato.
St. Marks is much less crowded at night. It was lovely!
Lots of jazz groups playing American tunes.
Window displays are so colorful!
Venetian Carnival Masks
Rialto at night
Some funny things about Venice -
1. Everyone thinks we are German. Especially the rose guys. Larry just about
punched one out.
punched one out.
2. Every alley we turn down is worthy of another picture. Venice really is
"a-maze-ing."
"a-maze-ing."
3. Cats are very popular here. Everyone feeds them and watches out for
them. They are everywhere!
them. They are everywhere!
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