HERE

---

Sept. 7, 2008

After several flights and layovers, I finally made it to the Venice Marco Polo Airport. I was happy, if not shocked, to receive BOTH pieces of my luggage and the baggage claim. I then found my way to the "Verrgio" (water taxi) office and purchased a ticked to San Marco square (L'Piazza di San Marco). Little did I know that I then had to drag my bags a good 1k down to the Verrigo dock. Ouch!

I found my way to the correct verrigo and rode. At first there was really nothing to see. I had been awake for over 36 hrs. now and just wanted a hotel receptionist to give me a key to my bed. As usual, there were several languages being chatted in close proximity to me. 3 people in the Frankfurt airport thought I was German, but the Germans around here are rude. I've been cut in front of, pushed, and flat run over by a few who look at me like i was in their way.

I snapped a few pictures of the buildings in the sunset before the water taxi let us off. I thought to myself "Great... Now where am I? I don't see the square. But everyone with luggage is moving in that direction, so I'll follow them." So, here I am lugging the luggage down the Water Walk, not knowing where I'm going. I stop by the 2 collums at the entrance to Venice and pulled out the hotel information that my mom had put in my purse. There was a tiny map and now I could see the square. I now needed to cross the Piazza with luggage in tow. Like mouse in a maze, I drug my wheeled bag, duffel bag, and backpack through a sea of people to the other side of the Piazza. The sweat was starting to runn down my face and arms. I knew I was getting close. I then found my street, and went up and over the bridge of stairs and right as I saw my hotel's logo, a man seated at a cafe with his wife says "Yep, she's lost." Which I quickly responded "No I'm not! My hotel is right there!" I felt very proud for finding it on my own.

The Royal San Marco Hotel is only a couple of blocks (if you can call them that) from the Piazza. The receptionist made a note to tell me the Wifi of the hotel was NOT working currently. I made my way to my room and discovered a charming Princess styled room with a beautiful bed and nice bathroom. I made quick used of the restroom, did a quick rinse in the shower, and laid on my princess bed. I was here!

And now I need to call my mom and tell her I'm here. I tried using my international phone card for the room, but that was impossible. So, I went down to ask the receptionist to help me, but she couldn't figure it out either. I told her it was urgent that my mother be contacted or the receptionist would soon have a "crazy American mother on her hands." She allowed me to use the hotel's computer to send out an email.

Now, feeling excited, I dug through my luggage for fresh clothes and went out into the Piazza. I was a bit hungry and had heard there was a violin concert tonight in the Piazza. I wandered through the crowd with my gelato and camera in hand listening to the beautiful music. It was a perfect beginning to my adventure.

---

Photos

Arrival in Venice
From the water taxi

Sunset
Beautiful

Crowed Water Walk
Aren't most of the places to walk in Venice a "water walk"

A little something
Something from Venice that's really from China

Principesia
My Princess Bed at the hotel in Venice

Piazza San Marco a notte
The San Marco Square at night

Comments

[LoganWoodruff]

I love reading of your many adventures. The pics and video are awesome. Hope you are well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!