Venezia!

Looking at the many islands that make-up Venice from a map perspective, the city looks like a fish!  Right??

Venice for me, has always been one of those places that I had to see! The week leading up to our departure was filled with a mixture of emotions.  We were going to be in Venice for about 3 days, then Verona and after that...FALL BREAK! lots and lots of traveling...but if you know me, you know that I love traveling so I was pumped to be traveling so much, but how would I pack and be efficient? Among other questions. So that part was slightly stressful...but I figured things out! Another mixture of emotions was about the conditions in Venice...


In our core meeting  the week before we left, we were updated on how transportation was going to work, our itinerary for our days there and some facts about what should be expected...Venice is sinking, so we will have to face high water more than likely and it will probably be cold and dreary..bleh..among other things I had not considered.  Venice at this point was becoming more and more unattractive.  Even so, I would not let these little facts dampen my joy of actually getting to see Venezia! Which is good, because it surpassed my expectations...in a good way :)


The day we arrived the sun was shining, it WAS chilly (but that doesn't matter if the sun is shining :)), and there was no high water! Venice was beautiful and gleamed as the surrounding waters caught the rays of sun and highlighted the land it threatens.  It stayed this way for the next day or so...and then came the high water and dreary like weather...but it was not that bad! So our shoes and socks got a little wet and getting to places took a little longer when you have to walk on make-shift podiums...but that is part of the experience!


There is so much more I could say about Venice, the city of - canals, gondolas, bridges, colorful masks -but I would much rather look at pictures than read and think that you do too! So here are some pics!

I don't quite remember, but this was either the only garden in venice left or one of the few that exist today.

Reflections on the water :)

Rialto Bridge

 The effects of Acqua Alta (high water)

Doges Palace

On one of the last days in Venezia, we experienced acqua alta (high water) ...the reflection off the water  created a unique environment as we walked through the shopping areas near St. Marks.

Venetian masks!

Mosaics on the outside of St. Marks Basilica...I love mosaics :)

The famous Greek Horses

Acqua Alta

St. Marks square

This is the inside of St. Marks Basilica after all the lights were turned on!  The many, many little pieces of gold tesserae just seemed to glimmer as the light hit the different areas creating a golden aura. So beautiful!

Chubby Pigeons

Gondolas!

Entertainment provided by pigeons

More acqua alta and reflections

Venice Biennale! Check out this website for more info because it was pretty dang cool :)Venice Biennale 
The theme was - People Meet in Architecture

In this room, the walls were covered with sketches...and I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this one!

Tiny, tiny sheep

Tennis Anyone?

One of the exhibits made me think of a lasertag arena

Canada known as the experimental exhibit provided an interesting exhibit

United States Exhibit

Hope you enjoyed the pics and if you have questions about any of them...please do ask!

Ciao!