We took the train from Ravenna to Venice. Before our trip, I didn't realize that Venice is an island within a bay and surrounded by smaller neighborhood islands (Venice suburbs). Surprise!
We rode over the only bridge linking the island with the Italian mainland and walked out to see that (no, seriously) the roads are all canals. Or, more simply, there are no roads. None. I thought there might be one or two maybe. With carriages or something touristy. Nope. I knew that there were canals in Venice. I wasn't prepared for how surreal it was to see absolutely no land-based motorized vehicles.
We found the Venetian version of the bus station (Vaporretto boats) and hopped on the line that ran through the grand canal to St. Mark's Square. We passed churches and old warehouses and mansions and bridges. There were construction boats and fire boats and police boats and taxi boats on the way. And, of course, the gondolas.
Did you know that gondolas are very oddly shaped? I thought they were just black canoes with pointy curved ends. But, really, they look crooked. The ends lean away from center and they all look riiiiight on the verge of capsizing. I'd never seen anything like it.
From St. Mark's Square we had to follow directions to find our hotel. Street names (or rather, path names) in Venice are more like suggestions that change every twenty feet and not every alleyway has one. Our directions went something like this:
1. Find St. Mark's Square, since that is something that is easy to find.
2. On the north facing wall of the Doges' palace, to the right, there are two roads (they meant alleys). Take the second, darkest, scariest-looking one.
3. Turn left at the place where the road widens.
4. Cross the crooked bridge over the third canal.
5. Follow the sound of the accordion player until the song ends.
6. Turn right and take 147 steps while whistling "O Sole Mio"--this is very important.
7. Find the man in a black cape and bird mask. He will lead you to the door that only opens for the pure in heart.
8. Clap twice. And wait five minutes. We will come and meet you on the third stone stair.
We actually found it.
Ah, Venice...be still my heart. Did you check out that one costume shop, by the creepy mannequin in the cape and bird beak? Someday I want to go back and dress up and pose for pictures with people.
ReplyDelete