Our morning started out with a stroll through the Hidden Streets of Venice. Ana, our local guide, provided a string of information that I can't begin to remember all. However I do remember that there are about 120 islands in the "lagoon" that is considered Venice. There are six different districts that make up Venice, which happens to be reflected in the symbol on the bow of a gondola. There are no motorized vehicles on the main island, so there are few fat people in Venice, other than tourists. Venice has been part of a country of itself governed by a Doge, conquered by Napoleon, part of Austria, and eventually became part of Italy when Italy finally established itself as a country in 1862. The city of Venice was established as a result of it's inherent security from attack by living in a marshland lagoon. They decided that trees driven into the clay ground below the marsh was the best way to support buildings, so they started building back in the 1100s. Venice was an Adriatic trade center and was greatly influenced by Constantinople and the Moors. This is reflected in the architecture, mosaic and Byzantine painting style in frescos. Ana also told us that Venetian aren't that creative with their street and alleys. If there's a church the alley way can be named the via by the church, via behind the church, which is really confusing because there are lots of churches. We were given a map of Venice, but not all the alleys are on the map which also very aggravating. When we left bread crumbs to find our way back to the hotel the pigeons just ate the trail.
Around 1300, another item on my bucket list was scratched off. I have ridden on a actual Gondola through the water ways of Venice. It was a nice leisurely row, yet it's hard to not see the humor in gondola traffic jams. Venice in 1900 had a population over 100,000. Today the population is about 30,000. It is too expensive for locals to live in Venice, plus most of the properties are being bought by either the elite super rich or hotels. Everything has be be carted in to locations, so it makes all items too pricey for the average worker. We saw a barge unloading bricks for renovation, two bricks at a time. The general population has moved to mainland cities with train or shuttle traffic for commuters. Of course the town has over 2 Million visitors a year. When we came across the lagoon in our boat we counted 4 cruise ships. There are not enough hotel rooms for as many people who come to see Venice. At noon you could stir the people in San Marco plaza with a stick. The folks from rural Australia did not like all the foot traffic. Roger doesn't like all the people either, which is why we're back in our room waiting for the crowd to die down. This occurs around 1700, because most of the tourists head back to the cruise ships or to the mainland.
Shopping in Venice is pretty much tourist targeted such as Murano glass, Venetian masks, Milliflrori glass, and basic Italia things that are seen in any other city, (just like in any tourist place in the USA.) Roger even noticed his gelato was more than other places he's tried. Even the toilet is more expensive, e1.50. (Other places have only charged e 0.50).
Tomorrow is an early start, as we have to get our luggage to a boat for shuttle back to the mainland at 6 am. We don't leave until 730, because it takes a lot longer to move the luggage than people.
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