We woke up the same wonderfull way this morning to hot croissants and church bells. I could really get used to this. At our third day Im getting quite a tan, its nice. I wish I brought more clothes, but there's only so much room in a carry on size bag for 14 days.
After breakfast, we walked to San Marco and stood in a surprisingly short line for St. Marks basilica. As we entered, we were reminded to be silen, no hats and no photos. (yeah right) Everyone was taking photos, and no one seemed to care. We paid 4e each to get in. We viewed old prayer books, cloths, statues and artwork dating back to the 12th century. We saw the bronze horses statue which make quite a presence! Original tilework portraits that are amazing. The ceiling and the art is so detailed, we ould marvel at it all day. Downstairs, in the church, were candles burning and chairs set for people to worship. We stepped out onto the terrace that overlooks the square and the waterfront. What a lovely view. Before we came to italy, I couldnt picture myself visiting museums and staring at art for hours on end. The experiance I wanted to have was more of the culture and exploring and soaking in how italians live and eat. After visiting St. Marks today, I can definatly see us visiting more museums and churches. It was beautiful and fascinating how the documents and artwork are preserved so well over so many years. The Church is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice and quite a special place to visit.
waiting in line to go in. yet another self portrait. We hoped these would turn out, otherwise we wouldnt have many photos that we were *both* actually there. :) Those columns on the left of the photo are solid marble. Absolutly beautiful.
the colors of the mosaics in the archways of the entrance were surprisingly bright given the age.
on the balcony overlooking St. Marks square
on the other side of the balcony overlooking the venice winged lions. If you notice the billboard to the right of the photo. I hate that billboard. For me, it totally detracted the feel of the remarkable square.
I know its cheesy to say, but I just fell in love with Buddy all over again. I love spending time with him and having these new fun experiances together.
I snuck a photo of an ancient prayer book from the 12th century. I didnt use flash, I promise.
the doge palace at sunset. I was inspired by shadows in this.
After the basilica, we grabbed a water a walked to the Rialto Bridge. We walked over it again looking at all of the jewlery shops that line it. Its big business over there! We saw a bride and groom on the way in the square getting their photos taken. For me, I could have watched them for hours. The photographer was absolutly stocked with the most amazing equipment.
a different "view" of the Rialto bridge. these are the rails leading up the bridge.
Its such a hot day today, this fruit was so refreshing and yummmy.
We walked over it to the other side of the canal in search for the "big church" we call it. We can see it, and just started walking toward it. Turns out, it was a foooorrrreeeevvver walk. So we hopped on a vaporetto and rode up the canal. Its called the St. Maria de Salute. A magnificant ornate white marble church in honor of the virgin Mary. According to its size on the outside, we were surprised to see how small it was inside. But its dark, very silent and beautiful. There are paintings of saints on the walls around the church with candles to be lit and meautiful original tilework on the floor. We could take photos, but no flash. No problem.
beautiful original tiled floor. The artistry back then is really inspiriing and amazing if you think about all that talent with so little tools to wotk with but your hands
We took the boat back to our stop and hung out around our hotel. I feel like a bit of a party pooper today because my knee is killing me still from the way I twisted it on the plane, plus, I have a huge blister on my foot of the same leg. I cant beleive the amount of walking we have done. Its great! We decided to go the the grocery store and buy lunch for a picnic. We picked up some prosciutto, olives, caprese salad, chips, loaf of bread, cheese strawberries and a coke. We walked to our favorite park, found a bench, threw off our shoes and hung out for a while eating our lunch. It was such a wonderfull afternoon today. There was a little breeze, someone in their house was playing the piano with the windows open so we had our own private concert, and i LOVE piano music so much. We talked, people watched and hung onto every second of our last afternoon in Venice. I love Venice. I do NOT however love prosciutto. Yuck. The Fontina cheese was great though, and the strawberries were divine. I loved that picnic.
buddy loves olives!
cutting our prosciutto for lunch. Literally she slapped on a pig and started cutting off the meat! Maybe Im naive but I wasnt expecting to be eating directly off the pig, no cooking. It was cured, but totally nasty to me. Plus, the poor butcher had NO idea what we were asking for, she didnt speak any english. So we just pointed and said "Grazie" with a smile.
After lunch, we went back to our room. I took a little nap while buddy went to find an external hard drive. We are worried that the laptop will die and our pictures will die with it. Luckily there is an electronics shop right next to the grocery store.
Venice is magic at night. The day trippers from the cruise ships are gone and its more quiet and laid back. The lights reflecting off the water are captivating and the music from the deuling orchestras in the square are magnificent! If it as possible to love venice any more, it would be in the evening and night. We grabbed some sandwiches, a salmon one and ham and cheese, a chocolate croissant and some drinks and parked ourself at the end of a boat pier overlooking the Rialto. Gondolas strolling by, the twinkling lights off the Grand Canal and a warm evening made it so perfect tonight. I really felt the most content and happy than I have been in a long time. In Italy with Buddy having a picnic like this was...perfect.
our view at our picnic dinner on the pier. I never wanted to leave.
After our picnic dinner we walked back to San Marco to listen to the deuling orchestras. Its probley the most toursity thing to do but it really is terrific. We took the cheap route and opted out of sitting at the cafes in the square. the cover charge was 5e each and about 9e for a drink. There are 3 Orchestras set up in the square. 1 on one side and 2 on the other. We walked to and fron each one listening to the songs and watching people dancing. The Orchestra on our left played "New york New York" while the one on our right played a classical tune I dont remember the name of. They all played at the same time, although when we were at one, it was hard to really hear the others. I would do this again and again. Its the best free entertainment in the world, in my opinion. It really was fantastic tonight and the best way to end our stay in Venice.
We caught the boat back to our Giardini stop and took our time. Its a beautifully warm evening with a breeze comming off the water. Its a truly wonderful evening.
walking back through our favorite tree lined park where we had lunch earlier today. Our hotel is just on the other side.
through the park, a cafe on Via Garibaldi. It was actually packed, although it looks empty. Our hotel is in the alleyway to the right.
Im in bed now, and I definatly will be leaving a peice of my heart here. I hope someday I can come back. I love it here. Everyturn is beautiful and every bridge offers a new sight. old and new. Its hard to beleive we arent ending our trip rather than starting it. I cant imagine it getting any better than this. Tommorow we take the train to Florence which with any luck, will be just as amazing and perfect as Venezia.
Goodnight from Venice!
2 comments:
Alright alright. Your photos are making it come alive. You have such an eye for the details and you are able to capture it perfectly. Although.. You'll have to learn to love prosciutto... it does have a yummy place in my heart. :D Maybe not when they cut it right off the pig while I'm watching. :D
Wow! This is amazing, Kristen! I feel like I went with you! I want to go there right this minute with Jon and have that same experience! Wow! You will never forget that trip, or those moments! I am so glad you did it! And that the stars aligned! Thanks so much for sharing it on your blog!
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