Bien Venutti!
This place is magical, regardless of how long it took me to get here from the airport to Saint-Marco Square. For a lovely 13 Euros, a vaporetto (fancy word meaning public transportation on water....but their word sounds sooo much more sexy, NO?)will sail you across. Upon arrival to this busy, delightful, sensory over-load filled location, you grab your luggage and begin meandering the labyrinth called Venice.
I quickly dropped off my luggage at the hotel and made my way to the piazetta, where I found a small table which faced the Basilica, while being serenaded by a four piece band playing Italian melodies. Life is GOOD!!!
I must have sat there for an hour, allowing the sounds, the sights, the scents and the mob catch up with my senses.
I will use a later blog to describe THE MEN in Venezia...They deserve a blog all on their own. I will only say, one is better looking than the next. Meantime, the Canon is on over drive...what to do with all these pics, once am home?
When I say mob, I mean all walks of life, from all over the world have decided to fly or sail into Venice to catch a quick glimpse of this surreal zone.
Gondolas and their Gondoliers await you to take you anywhere and everywhere, at a nominal fee of course of 100 Euros. You can negotiate a slightly better rate a few bridges away and maybe pay 80 Euros. I ask the chief, why the price variation between the two stalls. He answers "because they are BASTARDS...Ciao Bella!"
I walked into a local shop, and began chatting with the employee.
I asked her where would a local grab a Gondola, without having to feel raped in the process. She smiles and directs me to quieter canals and says "when you see a gondolier sailing along in a solo Gondola, smile sexily and grab his attention...and then offer him 50 Euros for that same ride". "Grazie Mille, Bella" is what I responded for this delightful insider tip. Perhaps a mini-skirt is in order tomorrow, with a lovely shade of hot red on the lips? Si?
The Euros do not go very far here. Meals, drinks, and goods are pricy. While I sat at that Piazzetta for a late lunch, I ordered a grilled veggy panini, diet coke, and gelato for desert while basking in the surroundings...and a paid a wee fortune. 40 Euros to be exact!!!
It is not every day, one is in Venezia!
Ciao Ciao for now!
