First of all, it is hard to even publish this post because photos could never do a city like Venice justice. I tried my hardest, though (and, for the first time, used my SLR digital camera, a Canon 20D, which proved to be a fruitful idea and produced fantastic results). Within the first couple of hours in the city, I realized that Venetians, much like New Orleanians, have the not-s0-simple task of dealing with their geographic location and environs. Venice is also a lot more relaxed and, although it is Italy and no one actually works or has a real job, they are even more relaxed about it here.
Venice is, in fact, sinking, and there is evidence of this all over the city. I was amazed to walk into a piazza and on the border with the canal, part of the pavement is actually submerged. I was thankful to visit it at such a ripe young age and at a time when, although everything in Milano is still for the most part blissful, I needed a quiet weekend to myself and some time to just think, walk around, and, of course, listen to Beyonce.
I know. She was here. She was here just 3 WEEKS ago, for her 30th birthday, with Jay and their baby boy to-be...okay I don't know it's a boy but that's what we're secretly all hoping for, right?. I mean think about it...If it's a girl and it inherits ANY of Jay's looks, she's fucked. But a boy could do that and still be able to move his body in a way that would make Kelly and Michelle blush (again). Anyway, every yacht and fancy hotel I saw I kept an eye peeled for her, possibly wearing a lacefront and a freakum dress. But to no avail.
The following 3 posts will show exactly what I saw in Venice, day by day, including all of the magical and unexpected sights she offered to me on a silver platter. Without further adieu, Venezia.
Okay, I know, I hate those people that are like, "Roll 1: My luggage" But I thought you should see my trip from the beginning! The Milano train station is breathtaking. I left on Friday at 4 pm and Venice is luckily only a 2.5 hour train ride away - the PERFECT weekend trip.
Venice and N.O. have something else in common than gorgeous decay and a deep-rooted relationship with water: a causeway! I mean, how else are you going to reach a city that is literally comprised of 117 small islands in the Adriatic Sea?
My first view of the city, from the bridge across from the train station. It was about 7:15 when I actually got there and the light was beautiful. Luckily, my hostel, L'Imbarcadero (very nice, would recommend) was only a 2 minute walk from here and ON the Grand Canal (in the Santa Croce district).
After dropping my bags off at the hostel, I made my way over to Piazza San Marco, the main square of the city. I traveled via Vaporetto, the city's version of a subway, which are basically passenger ferries that stop all along the Grand Canal and there was luckily a station just outside my hostel's door.
I was by myself, so Alex, the hostel's coordinator, suggested I go there. It's a little touristy and typical, but then again, so is Venice in general (there literally isn't a "down season"). I bought a couple of beers and sat down and listened to a live orchestra outside of a restaurant for about an hour, which was amazing. The above panorama shows the view from my seat.
I loved this guy's shoes and kindly asked for a few photos.
This is a phenomenon all over Italy, and I hate it. Couples come to a bridge and lock a padlock to it, only to come and unlock it at a future time (I don't get it and I hate it). I will say I love the padlock on the right though.
More to come soon, a huge post detailing my second day in the city of and for lovers. And for me sitting with a couple of beers listening to Upgrade U. Life, sometimes, is so sweet.
Ciao
-Jai'me
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