ITALY HERE WE COME! You will not be surprised to hear that today was another crazy day in the land of Contiki. We left our Austria hotel at 8am and checked into our Venice hotel at 10pm. Here is what we did in between:
First stop in Italy was a service station. They had real Italian pizza and paninis as well as free bathrooms for when you’re done with your Italian pizza and paninis. I was so excited about the thin crust, light sauce and italian salami that I had to take a picture. Delicious!
Now off to Venice. Venice is an island and there are no vehicles allowed so we had two options to get there: a 2.5 hour walk from some place that I can’t remember or a 20 minute ferry ride across some body of water that I can’t remember. We chose the ferry. On the ferry I took some pictures of buildings that I can’t remember. Here they are:
The port we docked at is right next to Saint Marc’s square. This is the most popular place for people to start their visit in Venice so it was pretty packed. We made our way through the crowds to the square and met with our guide for the “walking tour” of Venice. I took a lot of pictures in the square while she was telling us about the history of the country and Saint Marc’s Church. Here are a few:
I take a lot of pictures of buildings because they are cool. Sometimes a pigeon crashes my photo but that’s OK because his life sucks and this is all he has.
Between our tour guide walking fast, our 45-person group, the super-narrow streets and the amount of stone buildings her voice would cut out quite often – especially if you were near the back. I didn’t really mind because she ended most of her words with “ah” in a very strong accent and it was distracting. “We need-ah to find-ah some shade-ah” is one example. We did need plenty of shade though – it was hot as hell.
After our tour ended we grabbed some pizza and gelato (yes!) then went on gondola rides. I must have had gelato on my face or my fly was down because I was drawing a lot of attention:
As usual I took a lot of photos and tried to be artsy in the process:
Our gondolier got an important call from the Prime Minister during our ride we so had to pull over for a minute. Or maybe it was his Parole Officer – I don’t speak Italian.
After the gondola ride we went to dinner at one of the many Italian restaurants they have in Venice. It was a lovely six course meal with live entertainment. They must constantly run specials on accordions in Europe because they LOVE that shit.
The six course meal went as follows: Cold Apps, Risotto, Pasta, Pasta, Pasta, Lemon Ice. It was hilarious. After the second round of pasta I thought for sure it was dessert time but out came Penne with Pesto. I actually left the restaurant to go for a walk and get an espresso to help digest. Took these along the way:
By the time we left Venice it was already night time.
Day 7 complete. Bye Venice. I will see you again!
Wow, great shots. I have a few comments:
ReplyDelete-That Italian Architecture is blowing my mind. Why didnt they bring that to America when they brought all the spices and whatnot!
-The pigeon v the Winged Lion is an awesome shot. I got $ on the Winged Lion.
-Is there more than one leaning tower in Italy or is that just the picture?
-Is Venice sinking?
Keep it up, bro. I hope im not bogging down your blog but i've been checking everyday - whats the point if im not gonna comment!
Dude I have no idea. We were in Rome today and the coliseum was just insane. We have all day tomorrow to look around and I think it will melt my brain.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a safe bet but the pigeon ended up shitting on the lion while he just sat there. You owe me $5.
The picture is crooked. I was drunk I think. Just kidding. We see the real leaning tower on Monday I think.
Yes Venice is sinking. Apparently their engineers are working on solutions but as of yet have not found any. This place was amazing so I hope they figure it out. I want to come back.
Not at all man it's great!
Adam would make a good tour guide as long as Google is available to him. Great info on the Gold Roof thing. Just so you know 110 km. = 68.4 mph. Keep enjoying. I finally feel a desire to go to Europe. Made Dad happy - so who knows - Social Security kicks in shortly so maybe we will go.
ReplyDeletePat - Aunt Murray and I are still laughing over some of your comments. Should have been a writer. Have fun. Grandma Murphy
ReplyDeleteOur Social security doesn't kick in as soon as your Dads, (he is older than Gary you know) but I think I am becoming jealous also, may have to join your parents only if you, because of your experience of being there, and Adam's due to his knowledge of Google, chapperone us. Great pictures and tremendous commentaries!! Loving it.
ReplyDeleteBarb & Gary
Haha! Yes! I love google, and Europe! I'm in! Hope u like the cold 'cuz we're goin' in the winter! Swiss Alps, here we come!!!
ReplyDeleteAdam....we live in a Liverpool, a suburb of Syracuse......we know cold!!
ReplyDeleteBarb & Gary
Patrick Thanks for the blog so I can "talk" with Adam.
Haha! Ah I'm glad my trip is bringing everyone closer together back home. :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful pictures. take it all in. it goes by real fast. glad you're having a good time. how crazy were those damn pigeons in st marks square though? ew gross!!! so many churches in italy though, huh? beautiful architecture though!
ReplyDeleteVenice looks beautiful.. that is def a place I want to go see.... there is so much to see.. you make me laugh with your comments. Have you gone to the beach yet????
ReplyDeleteAnnaliah