Venice – Day 6 – Just Another Tourist

The gloom of the empty streets the previous night gave way to a bright sun and glorious morning. Marco, our host in Venice, had breakfast on the terrace ready and waiting on our over-tired bodies to consume.

Another couple staying with Marco was just finishing their breakfast and we took their table. We realized the previous night the same couple had been eating dinner at our restaurant and had been moved to accommodate the six of us. They’ll probably be looking over their shoulders for us from now on. Marco’s place is worth a good recommendation, so here is a link to Casabasegio. We had very nice and clean rooms and felt very comfortable there.

There was a small fruit market that we stumbled upon as we began our day and we purchased apples and strawberries, washing them in one of the city’s water spouts. Risky, for sure.

We were part of the mass of tourists in the Venice streets and it was really hard to believe that so many people were tucked in for the night just a mere 12 hours earlier. The souvenirs shops are as plentiful as the water surrounding the buildings and at times, it seems the charm of the city is lost to vendors selling cheap junk made in China. There are tons of carnival masks, t-shirts, and glass items. And we bought some junk nonetheless. Mostly, we just walked and took it in. Molli and I went to Venice on our honeymoon and once prior to this trip, but neither time did we take a gondola ride, so this time it was inevitable.

Carlo, our gondolier, took us out into the Grand Canal and through a maze of waterways that were the parts of town where people live or work. His horn was a loud “AAAhhh-Ooohh” that he would bellow before turning a blind corner. It was a pleasant experience that the kids put as a highlight on the postcards written that evening.

We found some really bad pizza at a walk up restaurant before moving along to the Rialto Bridge. It was super crowded, but we got a couple of unique photos while at the top. Being tourists in Venice, we were required to hit all of the major Venice tour stops, so next up was St. Mark’s square. The Basilica in the square had a line that wrapped around the front of the building – too long to wait. Instead, we took the time to look at the interesting sculptures that encircled the columns of the building leading to the open water.

Feeling we had seen enough for a one day stop, we moved back towards Marco’s B&B to get some dinner. Along the way, there was one shop that was different than all the others. The artist that has this tiny store paints and sculpts. His pieces are all hand sculpted, mostly in terra cotta clay.

We found dinner back near the apartment and flustered the waitress by asking for things not on her menu. She thought we were crazy that we wanted salmon with our pesto pasta. I guarantee she’ll have it on her menu by next week.

Venice is so unique that it is hard to be critical, but it is not an easy city to maneuver. And the crowds are out in force.

Back in the room by 8:30, we listened to Brian Regan and Jim Gaffigan for something like the 20th time, but they are funny every time. A great way to end the evening: laughing as a family.