The Adventures of Team H

Once again, we've stumbled by chance into an internet cafe (or 'internet point' - in fact there's no coffee here). This one in Venice is the strangest we've seen yet, but the details are not central to the story. So enough about the internet point...

Yesterday we arrived in Venice by rail. Once you get off the train and step out of the station, there it all is - no build-up or suspense - simply what you expect and came to see: the Grand Canal, lined by quant old buildings, trafficked by motorboats and gondolas. Just like the movies, the photographs and paintings.

Gondolas at Dusk

Crossing a typical canal in Venice

The most interesting unexpected impression was the quietness here (albeit New Years Day). There are absolutely no cars or motorcycles anywhere, a charming and welcome realization after Rome and Florence. We bought a map, took the tall footbridge over the canal and found our humble hotel with minimal trouble.

At this end of the city the tourists were sparse, and we felt empowered, able to take on this truly walkable city. We set out that afternoon for St. Mark square located at the other end of town. Initially the map helped. We followed a highlighted path on the map that guided us through dozens of narrow zigzag stone-paved streets past some churches, statues, pizza joints and shops along the way. Then, we discovered, an hour or two later, we were still going along like this, zigzagging, now joined by more tourists, mostly European and American window-shoppers. We gradually gave up on the map and started relying on signs and arrows. Night fell, and we continued. At least once, we went in a circle. More small canal crossings, statues and churches and piazzas - dozens maybe? At least 2 statues of St. Bartholemew, it seemed. Finally we arrived (with everybody else) at St. Marks square and the waterfront.

St. Mark's Square

Church in scaffolds, from our water taxi

Like in Rome and Florence, much of the area seems to be under winter season renovation, creating eyesores where impressive monuments should be. But we found the perfect condition of the buildings here to be suitably impressive. We walked the waterfront and passed vendors, games and a circus like atmosphere. At last it got cold and we headed back.

Ah, if it were only that simple... We tried that night to retrace our steps. Several hours and one shameful Burger King stop later, we finally made it back to the hotel. (Pictures and videos will be up asap)

Today, having had our fill of the inner streets, we took the water taxis around and visited the nearby island of Murano (where we even got a glass pendant or 2). This place was a bit more laid back, conducive to strolling. Funny though, a whole island of almost nothing but glass shops.

Time to sign off. Tomorrow at 6:51 am is our train to Innsbruck.