Day 5 – Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – Day 2 in Venice

January 18, 2010

Well, we had a beautiful day in Venice! It really is a cool city. It doesn’t smell. It IS expensive. The food isn’t the best (but not bad if you get some tips on where to go). It is romantic… especially when I get to see it with the love of my life.

Katie, up again, early, wow. Kids and I joined shortly after 8 am. Breakfast – same thing – I love that meal. I found out from the guy in the lobby (does he work here?) that the water was up to the third step last night! It peaks at about 4 am. I’ll have to try and get a picture of that tomorrow morning. We headed off for our adventure after that – around 11 am. We went down to San Marcos water bus stop and took the line two through the Grand Canal. This was one of the best things we did while we were here; other than just walking around! We went to our parked car (in Troncheto) to drop off one of our large suitcases, so that we don’t have to carry as much tomorrow. Later I find out that I didn’t save any pajamas for the night… oh well, I’ve slept naked before…

We took the water bus back again (and at last I find out that you really do need to buy a ticket; only no one ever asked, and it took me asking to get this information). We made a brief stop at Redentore; then on to san Marcos Piazza again. We headed home for a bathroom break, a couple of business calls, and then a snack for lunch; then we headed out around 3:30 pm. The tower was closed (bummer) so we couldn’t go up there. We meandered through the streets, heading towards this restaurant that we found out about through the hotel. The streets near the Rialto are shopping center here in Venice. Katie bought a cute red hat. We stopped in a café for about an hour to have hot chocolates and make a couple phone calls to family. 21 Euros for four hot chocolates (that’s 30 dollars for you math wizzes out there). Good thing they are paying me a bunch of money at Summit… wait, I need to sell something!!

After that, we found our restaurant after getting lost again in Venice for about 40 minutes in the dark. Interesting place. Wonder if there is a family connection to the Torrino’s (our hotel). Not bad food, and “authentic” experience so we are grateful. Walked back quickly. Nearly beat the rain home. To bed. Sirens are going off again, which means there will be water!! J