Venice

So after Florence we went to Padua, which was where we stayed for the rest of the trip. We used Padua as a kind of staging area and rest area from which we could travel to the more sought-after travel destinations.

The first of those destinations was Venice.

We took the train to Venice. The train ride was packed, busy, crammed. But it was better than yet another ride in the tour bus. We passed a lot of water on the way to Venice, which at first didn't quite make sense to me, but I will explain that later.

Right out of the train station

Walking out of the train station, I got my first feel of Venice. Right out of the gates of the station, you run across your first canal and your first bridge and your first ferry and your first gondola and your first breeze of salty air rushing to your nostrils.

Thats Venice.

Venice is by far the most unique city I have ever been to. I mean, it doesn't have streets for automobiles. It only has canals and ferry-ways. I would like to think that Venice is unique in that aspect. Additionally it is the most ridiculously confusing city ever. Example: On our way to Saint Mark's Square, our guide led us through the city. Now remember, there are no streets, so the only way to get around is by canal, or by walking the winding confusing alleyways. And considering the fact we didn't have a boat, we walked. Problem is, the signs that are supposed to direct the flow of pedestrians are not clear. In fact, they are completely contradictory of one another. The signs literally point in opposite directions. One arrow on the sign says to get to San Marcos you go right, and on the same sign an arrow also points left for San Marcos. Another little unique eccentricity of Venice. The other thing is the impracticality of Venice. It is easily the most impractical and annoying city to live in. The way to get around is difficult and expensive. All products in the city are expensive since everything is imported and nothing can be produced locally. Not to mention, the city is sinking. Yeah, the original foundations that the city were made on are disintegrating and becoming flooded with sea water from the lagoon. Couple that with the rising sea levels attributed to global warming and you have a problematic city. In fact, when we were in San Marcos, the flooding was happening. What I mean by that is that approximately half the square was full of about an inch of sea water due to flooding. Which apparently is not that uncommon of an occurrence. So yes, it was a unique city.

There is something about Venice that is difficult to put in words but is quite tangible while you are there. The city is ver old, and very easy to get lost in, and everything about it is just peculiar and engrossing. Walking around everywhere is just astounding. The age, compactness, and presence of the buildings is just euphoric; in fact I could feel a definite adrenaline pulse as I walked through the streets with my friends.

Also there is some level of intrigue and mystery about Venice. The interesting thing about the city is that everything looks that same but different, so its like as you walk the streets you have seen it all but also have not seen any of it. The alleys and walkways branch and loop and swirl so oddly that you feel down any of the random little streets may be something amazing, like a hole in the wall restaurant or a unique shop. Thats the appeal. The mystery and the adventure and discovery of something that most likely wasn't found previously. Its exhilarating.

I could go and talk about the landmarks of Venice, but honestly thats quite useless. The whole city is a landmark, and the few landmarks within the city are simply references, guides to where you are in position to the rest of the city. See the whole city is an inter-connected series of islands with canals and bridges in between. So essentially as you walk around Venice, absorbing all thats around you, you may be easily lost due to the winding alleys and confusing signage. Yet in reality, it is quite hard to get completely lost, you are on an island: where can you really get lost to? You get lost, but just lost enough.

Carnevale was beginning as we were in Venice. Like Carnevale, THE Carnevale. So yes, we all bought masks and some even took it to the level of buying a cape. It was all good fun. And I am sure the celebrations got even crazier in San Marcos that night we left Venice. Either way, it was a fun experience seeing the craftsmanship and beauty of the masks. Plus there is something about seeing a group of elegantly dressed individuals wearing masquerade masks in broad daylight that just makes you say "woah."

My day in Venice was debatably one of te best in my life. And although I would never be able to live there, Venice was the ultimate place to visit.

Oh and with my interest in street art, I had to appreciate the graffitti in Venice. Which was top notch.