I find it interesting that on my work’s website, under my employee profile, it states that travelling to Italy was on my bucket list. It’s something I’ve always wanted to so but only thought would happen after my kids were grown. And I don’t even have kids so it would be in a while. So when our friends offered us a road trip to Venice it was truly a dream come true.
Waking up to the neighbourhood sounds of Venetians chatting, shutter lined windows of apartment blocks stacked upon each other, every day in Venice is sunny and warm. Well that’s how it feels anyway! So here are a few images from Venice Day 2:
This is available for breakfast. I asked them what Italians eat for breakfast, they said this. I was happy to buy a fruit cup from the vendors in the street with South African naartjies (well it said clementines but they weren’t) instead.
After we got our breakfast snack, team 6 (I’ve decided to name us) made our way to St Mark’s square. One of the things I was most fascinated with was how the people hung their laundry out to dry. They were on rotating strings outside their windows (or across courtyards) and they let it all hang out! Didn’t see much in the canals below interestingly enough. Must have good pegs š
On our way we found a beautiful church called the La Maddalena. This is, unfortunately, the rear of the church which can be seen from a walkway bridge in Venice.
There are many private boats and stops for boats along the canals of Venice. We used the water busses (they have boats instead of busses but I don’t know what to call them!) but there are private taxis available for a far higher price.Ā 
This was a little domed building that we found while team 6 had snacked from a Venetian deli.Ā 
We also found this guy on our travels. It’s Carlo Goldoni who was a Venetian playwright born in 1707.
It’s an adventureĀ navigating through the Venetian streets and taking in the ambience. Venice, as I mentioned, is extremely overcrowded so getting anywhere and doing anything takes a bit of time but we eventually made it St Mark’s Square. The cathedral immerges in front of you from the dark alley as you approach it.
The cathedral in St Mark’s square is beautiful. Sadly, for us, it was covered as work was being done on the building. A bit of a kill joy but still great to have been there and to see the gorgeous building. Known as St Mark’s Basillica, St Mark’s Cathedral was built in 1807. The original version was built in 832, the second (after a fire) in 978 and today’s version in 1094. It’s amazing to see such beautiful architecture that’s nearly 1000 years old. The archways include intricate gold mosaics depicting scenes from Christ’s life.
When you stand with your back to the cathedral, you will face St. Mark’s square which is lined with arches and columns. Inside the passageways are ice cream shops and restaurants.Ā 
This is the St Mark’s Campanile which is nearly 100m high. It stands separately from the cathedral but is actually its bell tower.
On the right of St Mark’s Cathedral is the Doge’s Palace. Originally built in 810, it was also destroyed by numerous fires over the last millenium, however, the part facing the water was built in the 14th century.
After exploring the square, we caught our water taxi back to where our accommodation was, still taking in the unique scenes and the incredibly blue skies in Europe.
While in Venice I saw quite a lot of home-made signs hanging from windows calling for the end of the Italian/Venetian mafia. I thought this was quite interesting and on this day, while we were on our way home, there was a protest in the streets. I’m not sure what they were after but it was interesting none the less.
We arrived home, had some snacks (cheese, chips, rolls, meats, etc.) and relaxed.
In the evening we made our way to Rialto where we heard there were a few bars. We had a few drinks and went mask shopping! There are so many different kinds, of all sorts of fabrics and prices, it was fun to try them on. We also met a few Americans, Aussies and managed to get some Italian take away pizza on the way home. They were very tasty! (Much like New York Pizza slice in Kloof street funnily enough!).
Thanks for reading š Ā Feel free to leave a comment below, I’d like to hear about your similar experience.
