Venice & Florence

As we bid Germany farewell we boarded our overnight sleeper train to Venice, Italy. We hopped on to our second class sleeper train to find it no bigger than our previous kitchen (perhaps even smaller) for six people. Luckily three light weight Korean girls were sleeping in the bunk beds. As a gesture of kindness for helping them get the bunks situated they offered each of us a Korean cheese stick. As not to be rude, we chomped into the foreign shrink-wrapped cheese as our eyes met in an effort to secretly express, “Is yours as bad as mine?”

Arriving at seven in the morning gave us a unique perspective of Venice; a peaceful city of street vendors preparing for the daily visitors and shop clerks cleaning the streets before their stores. We couldn’t check into our hotel so we setup camp on Piazza San Marco for a few hours of people (and pigeon) watching. Floods of tourist poured from the Vaperrettos (water taxis) transforming the Piazza into a mass of life with more tourist than residents. Endless lines formed before the Basilica where people wait hours for the 10 minute walk. We decided this would be an early morning event to avoid the lines. Once checked in we met up with Kirsten, a good friend from back home. We enjoyed some authentic Italian food and wine before strolling through the maze that is Venice.

The next morning we were woken by sweltering heat, and have a new found appreciation for AC and cold showers. At the Basilica we met a fellow American living in England who told us the history on how St. Mark’s remains came to be in this church. Two Venetian sailors smuggled the bones beneath pig carcasses to dissuade the Muslims from searching the cargo, which is depicted in a bizarre yet comical Mosaic on the church. Forgetting that Italians do have some clothing standards, Jenny had to cover up with microfiber tablecloths, to create a very unfashionable shaw and skirt (embarrassing photo to come later).

On the way to the islands we stopped at Rialto (big bridge with shops) and the fish market. The afternoon was spent riding the Vaperrettos to the islands of Murano and Burano where glass and lace are made. We watched as a big sweaty Italian turned a glowing ball of glass into a cute little kitty-cat. We never found the lace factory on Burano but enjoyed the beautiful canals of colorful homes. These islands were probably the highlight of our Venice experience.

The next morning we took the train to Florence for an afternoon of museums and shopping. We managed to see the Accademia, home to the Statue of David by Michelangelo, and an interactive Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit. Neither museum was worth the entry fee; however, at least we can say we saw the Statue of David and tried to take a picture before being informed that pictures are not allowed, oops.

Our next stop in Italy is the Cinque Terra, a series of five Italian villages nestled on the Mediterranean coast.