Is this real life?!?!

This past weekend Michele, Angela and myself went to Venice.  Venice is really expensive, so instead of booking a hotel we got two overnight trains.  We left Friday from Rome at 10 pm and arrived in Venice at 530 am…yikes right?  This obviously wasn’t the ideal situation but when on a budget, you do what you have to.  We got there and were delirious (to say the least).  We walked around for a bit then found a café to get coffee.  After coffee we walked around for a bit.  Once it hit 9 am, more things started to open.

The way the streets were narrow and windy reminded me of Tuscany.  It is such a quaint area, but surprising is also very populated.  Venice is also very touristy, hence the really expensive prices.

Around mid day, we took a ferry to Morano (a small island that specializes in glass making).  The island was so beautiful and full of so many glass shops.  I bought a few pieces of jewelry as gifts for my friends.  One shop we went into let us watch how the glass was made.  I had no idea how much work and craftsmanship has to go into even just a tiny glass ring.

After Morano we went to St. Marks square and saw the Basilica.  St. Mark's Basilica somewhat reminded me of the basilicas we see in Rome.  It was very elaborate and beautiful, decorated with gold structures and frescoes.

After the Church, we took a gondola ride.  Even though they were expensive, it was an opportunity we couldn't give up.  Our gondola driver (Andrea) took us around St. Marks area and showed us some of the interesting sites to see. The water was calm and the streets were quiet, it was a very serene and relaxing experience.  After the gondola, we got dinner and then got back on the night train at 11 pm and arrived back in Rome in the early morning.

I’m really glad I had the chance to go to Venice.  Even though it was very tiring, it is one of those things you have to see in Italy.  The whole environment felt like it was out of storybook.  When I was sitting on the gondola looking at everything all around me, I realized that I was actually on the canals of Venice. It is still (3 months later) so hard for me to realize that I am actually in Italy.