Italy (Venice)

7/16/09 You’re Not Lost If They Give You Bad Directions
We stepped off the plane only to be met by the sweltering Venetian summer. The stark contrast between cold recycled air and that of this rich city really made me realize: our adventure had begun. As soon as it began things began to go wrong. Our bus choice, #12, given to us by the hostel’s directions was the wrong one. In our triumphant youth we thought we’d be able to walk back and find the site. We were wrong. 2hrs, 100º, and a 30-euro taxi ride later, we arrived at our hostel. After a swim and settling in, we set off to Venezia. The contrast of hand carved stones and ancient brick against a backdrop of bright lights and diesel engines gives the city of art and trades an indescribable personality. To see tourists walking the masterfully laid stone streets, while locals yell from their windows is a testament to how the city has changed. Did the city’s architects and builders think that in just a few centuries their city of rebirth would be standing next to an airport and cruise ships? The city is certainly enchanting, and I'm sure even more so in the midday sun, and hotter as well. Now to rest these tired feet and prepare for tomorrow.



7/17/09 A Venice Fish
I did expect our time in Venice to be filled with losing our way and getting lost in its winding streets, but not nearly as much as this. We planned our day on going to San Marco and eating at a pizza place recommended by our book. We didn’t even get to San Marco. The maps seem to omit all warning of dead ends, street names and alleyways, this all leads to a search based solely on luck. By the time we found the pizza place we were ready to collapse. Carrying around a 40-pound backpack and 10 lb bag certainly drains you. We soon recuperated after some pizza and beer and went to find the hostel. That, thankfully, was not hard to find. The hostel is an old building on the canal that looks like it has seen both the rule of Nero and Mussolini. Sitting in the common room you meet a rag-tag team of hostellers. Young, old, from all over. Looking for a good time. The people we met were all so friendly and entertaining, and I was more than happy to spend a night out with them. Though there isn’t much in the way of nightlife in Venice, two bottles of wine for 6 Euros was more than sufficient. We spent the night swapping travel stories and talking about the crazy lady with her boob hanging out, and he creepy guy with the binoculars.



7/18/09 Turn Off The Lights And On Goes The Night
The final day in Venice. It was the coupe de grace, a perfect ending. We spent the day with Ashleigh and Brynn, two Canadians who are now friends. We strolled through the labyrinthine streets on our way to the park. What a cheap way to have fun, 2 Euros for snacks from the supermarket and hours of conversation. What could be better? We soon found ourselves in the Piazza Del San Marco, an avian infested square surrounded by some of the most exquisite and ambitious buildings ever seen. To think it was all built by hand without the help of modern technology is incomprehensible. That couldn’t be done today, our lives have become to codependent on luxuries and we have forgotten our roots as a species that uses its hands to get things done. If anything I ever do is half as long lived I would be completely overwhelmed. Later, dinner with Zoe and Danyce. Dinner was par, but the company was worth a tip. I knew I’d meet people, but never expected to meet those that I would truly want to keep in contact with. That night our hostel lived up to its infamy. We were taken out to one of the biggest parties ever. One in memory of those who died in the plague, wow we are really in Europe now. San Marco square filled with the inebriated, intoxicated, libated, and castrated (well who knows about the last one.) A fireworks show to end all (I never understood the human fascination with loud noises and bright lights), human pee shield, and late night mission to find the hostel. I had to replace our leader, to find the hostel. The leader who said, “Lead? I lead no one! (You might want to check your job description)