Venice

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Dear Family & Friends:

Although we are several countries behind in our travel blog, we will continue our best efforts to give you a small flavor of our magical moments. Venice was no exception!

We departed Riva del Garda (on the northern shore of Lake Garda) on July 3rd, following three wonderful days of hiking, swimming, and enjoying the beauty of N. Italy. We walked north of our hotel about ten blocks to the local bus station (we are quite the motley looking crew with our daypacks and rolling suitcases moving through the old cobblestone streets) where we took the local commuter bus to the town of Roverto. From here, we were able to transfer to the train which would take us to Verona and then on to Venice.

It was a long day, made more difficult by the malfunctioning airconditioning on our train to Venice. We were all limp and exhausted after the sweltering hot journey. The amazing architecture begins the minute you get off the train in Venice and board one of the many water buses servicing the main canal that snakes through the center of the city. Gratefully, we only had to go a few stops on the busy and crowded boat to our stop at Rialto Bridge. This historic bridge, which was the first and most famous of the three bridges that link the two sides of the city was just a two-minute walk from our apartment. The sun was especially hot and even with an ice cream stop, we were all withered by the time we lugged our gear up the FOUR flights of stairs to our small but comforatable abode. It seemed that everywhere we stayed in Europe, our family room was always on the TOP floor. We are not complaining because the locations are always amazing--it's just that I don't think we walked up fewer that three flights of stairs anywhere we stayed.

As some of you may know, Venice is made up of something like 120 islands and, for sure, has over 400 pedestrian bridges connecting them in various places. There are no cars, of course, and we were most surprised by the fact that there were so many places to walk. Our image had been that it was all water around all of the buildings and we did not realize that you can walk and walk and walk down endless alleys to beautiful squares, and cross over small bridges as you go. Each narrow alley (some were only about 5 feet wide) was lined with tiny shops of art, fashion, and food. You would wander and suddenly come to a beautiful open square with one or more churches and several restuarants with tables out on the cobblestone. It was incredibly charming! The only grocery store we could find was equally tiny (on our entire trip so far, we have yet to see a grocery store bigger than a US pharmacy and all grocery carts are tiny) and chaotic. Since we had an apartment for 2 nights, we bought food to eat in for two of those nights.

The canals were fascinating, as well....in the early morning, they are filled with all of the delivery boats, tied up along the brick buildings and bringing their boxes of goods ashore. Then, the fancy gondolas appear, the interiors lined with lush fabrics and pillows, along with the water buses (large), water taxis (for private use), and various trade boats. The city was bus, at all hours of the night. We took the poor man's version of a gondola - a 50 cent trip across the Grand Canal to save walking to the nearest large bridge. Only wimps sit down for the ride!

We visited a beautiful museum full of sculptures, bronzes, paintings, tapestries, and medals from the 1400s rescued mostly from churches about to be destroyed. The kids have enjoyed places with laminated cards in English, so that they can follow and read about each item. It is tough in places where everything is labled in the local language. We can only guess then!

We were able to walk everywhere - only using the water bus for our arrival and departure. It was actually a great way to see more of the city. We walked to Piazza San Marco and took the elevator to the top of the Campanile di San Marco - the bell tower for the Basillica (church) di San Marco. Great views. I was forced to rent a large piece of fabric to cover my bare legs (apparantly, only men and small girls may wear shorts inside). I was quite miffed, naturally, at the sexism, so made sure I passed mine on to another woman waiting in line...we went in almost every church we passed - each was so beautiful and they are always open. Our search for a park to play frisbee in was in vain - no grassy areas large enough...also visited the huge Palzzo Ducale, built in 1300s for the Doge (like a lord). Kids liked the prison cells.

We are, once again, short on time. We have not had reliable access to the internet for at least the past 2 weeks....either isn't working or exhorbitantly expensive. Today, we are in Egypt, waiting for our plane to Tanzania. We are very excited to write about our cruise (Dubrovnik, Croatia, was the biggest surprise - we loved it!) and even more to write about our very meaningful time in Egypt (highlight was visiting the mud family compound of our fantastic guide and having lunch with his family - at our request, not part of the scheduled tour). Yesterday, it was 108 degrees in Luxor, but we made it. Not sure how internet will be in Tanzania, so we have to make you wait for the next installment....this week will be spent at the orphanage - hoping to build them soccer goals). One quick touching thing - on our Nile cruise, a group of British pulled together some US dollars and gave them to us to use at the orphanage. Sam had told them about it while they were all in the pool, and they were moved. So much more to say, but our time is up on the computer. Know that we are all well, happy, and that, half way (!) into our trip, everything has gone splendidly.

K4

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Photos

Grand Canal
From Rialto Bridge at Dusk

Rialto Bridge
Historic & Central Bridge across Grand Canel

Gondola
In the canel right behind our apartment

San Marco Square
Family Photo in front of St. Mark's Church in St. Mark's (Marco) Square with famous pigeons.

Colorful Soap
Amazing soap looks like dishes of cookies

Comments

[Joe Tripp]

Love the Blog
I am very much enjoying reading of your adventures! I will be in Venice in mid-September so I really enjoyed reading your entry and expereinces. I am glad all continues to go well for you. Love to you all! Joe