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Indy had to stay home....
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Finally - Italy. Milan Station was a classic old train station
with marble floors, skylights, and echoes.
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The train ride from Milan to Venice was fun. We sat across
from some tourists from New Jersey and a caver from Britain who was heading
to Slovenia.
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In Venice, our room overlooks a square bordering on a canal.
We couldn't afford the "Grand Canal" view room!
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The Grand Canal looked beautiful as the sun set on Thursday
evening. Gondoliers paddled tourists to dinner. We were too
jetlagged to risk seasickness tonite.
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We are staying very near San Marco Square, which has the beautiful
basilica and towering campanile. Pigeons were everywhere, and kids
with bird food were swarmed.
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As I went to take a shot of the campanile, one of the pigeons decided
to be a ham instead.
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The detail on the mosaics, and the statues of the angels
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on the Basilica.
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Gondoliers on the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge.
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Friday we visited the island of Murano where the glassblowers of
Venice do their handiwork.
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We were particularly struck by the art of Dino Rosin.
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Meanwhile -back in the Caribbean.... Nick's forgotten about
us completely (wouldn't you?). For more details on Nick, try the
Broadreach
Web Page. Nick's on UDA23.
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In San Marco Square, there is a "Battle of the Bands" with
classical (and some pop) music which lasts well beyond midnight.
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Saturday morning, Dave forced Karen from bed at the outrageous hour
of 8AM to visit the Rialto market, where fruit and vegetables are sold
"farmer's market" style.
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This looks prettier than it smells. Actually, the fish
has been extremely fresh and quite tasty!
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Karen finally got the obligatory gondola ride! After hours
of walking through the labyrinth of alleys and squares, her feet were in
no shape to return from the Rialto bridge.
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Our friend Niel Warren, amazingly, happened to be in Venice on
tour with the Santa Cruz Chorale. He joined us for sightseeing Saturday
afternoon, where we visited those churches which allow bare feet.
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Can you imagine having water at your doorstep?
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The 3rd weekend in July is the Feast of the Redeemer, celebrating
delivery from the plague of 1572. Our hotel gave a fancy sunset banquet.
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As you might expect, the food was spectacularly presented and delicious.
Desmond would be impressed.
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The sunset was almost as nice as Monterey.
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All the denizens of Venice take their boats to the Guidecca Canal,
where a bridge of boats is formed, traditionally so the Doge (head of state)
could walk across them to church.
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A spectacular fireworks display is a traditional part of the celebration.
We viewed it from our table!
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The display built to an outrageous finale....
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which filled the sky with light.
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After the celebration, Karen relaxes in the hotel room in the robe
they provide. We thought Italian women were petite!
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