It's our anniversary - our 15th in fact - so today was a very special day. This is why we are making this trip at this time. and just like our marriage in many ways, it didn't go as expected (actually I can't imagine how any woman could stay with me for 15 years)....but we went with the way that fate pushed us and the journey today (and the past decade and a half) turned out as well and maybe better than we could have imagined.
We have finally figured out Venice's complex transportation system. The first thing you have to know is that maps sold in Venice are created by a secret society who purposely change the names on the map so that none of them will ever be seen in the streets. This same clandestine authority conspires with all citizens to intentionally misdirect tourista so that you have to wander into one of the 4 million shops in Venice to ask for directions, hoping you will buy something to assuage any guilt you might feel for imposing on the shop keeper.
Well there are a few simple rules. First, get there very early or get there mid-afternoon. The whole city's a zoo but especially later morning through mid afternoon; second, use the vaporetta (and get a pass for the length of time you are going to be there) - the vaporetta is the canal bus, a set of ferry boats that traverse the various public transportation bus stops (docks) and they are crowded, noisy, unsteady and totally delightful...and relatively cheap; and if you want to avoid the huge crowds and pesky hawkers trying (surprisingly often effectively) to get you to buy cheap junk, expensive roses and fake paintings, get thee off to the Lido - the long strip of land that creates the natural breakwater in the lagoon that guards the mouth of the grand canal. Get thee a bicyclette (pronounced bitchy-klet), and ride thine arse off all day on a lovely island with beautiful beaches on the Adriatic Sea.
OK more pics and links tomorrow.
No comments:
Post a Comment