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| Planks used during the aqua alta (king tide) © A Product of Silence |
Today we walked around Venice taking in the sights and doing some shopping. We visited the Rialto bridge and inspected many shops selling masks, the symbol of Venice. My favourite place was the paper shop that was selling exquisite handmade paper goods. However unfortunately they evidently didn't feel the same way about us as we were told they were closing and asked to leave, even though the shop never closed. Oh well their loss.
In the afternoon we toured the Doge's Palace and the Basilica SanMarco in Saint Marks Square. Both were extraordinary, full of history and incredibly lovely. It was sad listening to how the Basilica regularly gets flooded because Saint Marks square is the lowest point in Venice, and how it's lovely floors are being destroyed as a consequence.
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| St Marks Square, Venice. © A Product of Silence |
Anyway the following were my thoughts as I explored, I apologise in advance for gushing.
The thing that strikes me most about this beautiful city is the quiet. I guess this is partly because there is no car traffic, but also because it is the low season and there are few people around. I understand it is not the same in summer when the place is full of tourists, but I would come back in winter in a heartbeat. It is very cold and wet but unbelievably lovely.
The architecture is stunning and so beautiful with its many coloured buildings. The numerous squares and churches defy description. You can wander along various alley ways and then come upon the most beautiful facade of a building. It takes your breath away. There is so much history here.
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| Grane Canal, Venice. © A Product of Silence |
The canals are beautiful and I love that you walk everywhere, crossing bridges and seeing the water lined with boats. I am unable to describe how it makes me feel. If I was going to live anywhere other than home, I would live here and I didn't think I'd ever say that before. I love Australia but this place speaks to me in a way I can't explain. After all my romantic imaginings of Venice I have not been disappointed. It is more than I could have hoped for or dreamed of. I wish I could write about it in a way that did it justice or that adequately conveyed my feelings about it. I am happy here. All I need to make it perfect, is my family. I haven't left yet and already I can't wait to come back. I am going to be very sad to leave tomorrow.
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