Jen and Rebecca Stimulate the Local Venetian Economy

We got up extra early today to return the rental car, then drag our suitcases (all three of them!) to the Venizia Lines ferry stop.  Turns out that following the harbor thinking that will get you to the ferry stop isn’t always the most efficient route.  We wheeled those suitcases over far more cobblestone streets than was necessary.  Good thing Eddie Bauer has a lifetime guarantee on its luggage and both Jen and Rebecca may need replacement wheels soon.

Wheeling luggage, before the cobblestone detour.

We managed to keep calm as we checked our luggage for the ferry ride, avoiding any serious separation anxiety.  (Rebecca had only been reunited with her suitcase for barely more than 24 hours, after all!)  It helped that we actually witnessed the luggage being put on board and the ferry had only one stop to make before Venice, seriously reducing the luggage mishap possibilities.

Upon our arrival in Venice, we quickly made our way through Immigration and then set off for what was supposed to be a 20 minute walk to our apartment.  It turns out that Venice is an exceptionally easy to get lost in.  We walked for awhile before coming to the realization that we were going the wrong direction.  We had success with Google Maps in Croatia and Slovenia, so we attempted to use them again in Venice.  Unfortunately, it kept trying to send us up roads that didn’t exist (mostly next to canals that did exist).  So, we accepted defeat and took the Vaporetto (a water bus, the Venice version of public transportation) to our meeting point with the new landlord.  It turns out some of our confusion was an honest mistake.  The ferry docked at a different port than we expected.  But we found our way, so all was well.

Waiting for the Vaporetto.

The first half of our day was subsumed in travel, so once we got settled into our rooms (sadly we’re going to have to adjust to a reduction in bedrooms from three to two and in bathrooms from four to one…how will we cope?) we quickly set about with the important business of getting to know Venice, starting with some pasta and wine for lunch.  Since our apartment is in the Canareggio on the northwest side of the main islands of Venice, we decided to spend our first afternoon not doing the traditional city center activities but heading out to the island of Murano, only a few Vaporetto stops away.  Murano is the traditional glass-making center of Venice, and had shop after shop after shop of colorful glass items for gawking at (and of course for purchasing.)  And, of course, we purchased.  Those of you who know Jen and Rebecca well will not be surprised that it took us two hours and several stores to make a decision on our final purchases.  Sadly (?), once we started buying, it was really hard to stop.

Displaying our purchases, still neatly packed in bubblewrap for the flight home.

After our glass shopping spree, we dropped off our goods at the apartment and set off on a Vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal. The sun was setting, so we got to peek into a lot of old refurbished and/or renovated mansions on the canal that happened to have some lights on inside.  We wandered around San Marco Square and were somehow not surprised the San Marco Basilica has scaffolding on the front of it.  (At least you can still see the horses over the entrance.)  Europe seems to always be encased in scaffolding.

On San Marco Square at night.

Our hunger took over so we went to find some dinner slightly off the beaten trail.  When Rick Steves failed us (we found a restaurant he recommended, but it was shuttered) we found a perfectly nice trattoria where we all three tried different pastas, the result of which was deliciousness all around.  We braved the twisty Venetian streets to walk home and we managed to find our way.  Hooray!  We even found a grocery store to stock up on breakfast supplies (and wine) and of course we had to have our first Italian gelato of the trip.  More deliciousness. 

Rialto Bridge at night, with moon.