Post by Kim on Dec 19, 2003 10:27:20 GMT -5
Man are my feet hurting me! 
I know I have walked 50 miles in the past three days. Maybe just a bit of an exaggeration, but sure feels like it. I am greeted yet again today by glorious weather! The god's smile. But truthfully I have always had great luck with weather in Italy this time of year.
Yesterday I visited a couple of palazzos and one museum. It is terrific to be able to get inside some of these places and actually see how they 'lived' back then, or how the very wealthy lived. Venice is unusual in that there are no class distinctions/zoning if you will The grandest palazzo is sitting right next to the most humble building and that is true throughout the city.
Took a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto yesterday late afternoon, far from the best tour I've been on, much too rushed and too little info given. But it did take me through some of the most outer edges of the city, far removed from any tourism at all. From this I did learn why are all the buildings in Venice so full of wide windows, and open doorways....Venice was a very cosmopolitan city and the powerhouse of the region. It was to send a message to their neighbors...while Florence, Sienna, wherever were building huge walls and fortifications with tiny slits for windows, the Venetians were saying how strong and powerful they were, with no fear of attack and so could flood their lives with light. In the back ways of town is another world, small little canals that are covered it seems with everyone's laundry fluttering like millions of flags above you. There is a daily hustle and bustle going on, housewives gossiping outside their doors, men rushing by with the hand carts which are piled high with every imaginable good and product on their way to make deliveries. Kids everywhere, playing soccer without every losing the ball in the water it seems.
For Kim, of course had the obligatory cappa or two or three yesterday, but discovered another amazing treat. They have these pastries, look most like apple strudel in miniture size...oh they are heavenly! Every coffee shop it seems have them and I have had several. For dinner yesterday I had the most amazing pasta with cream, spinach and ham and a spice I just could not identify....very mild though. And a salad and some sort of chocolate pastry confection that simply defies description. I am eating very well and staying entirely out of the tourist restaurants. Some days it can be just a bit challenging figuring out the menu but have been met with kindness at every turn.
Oh....this morning on my way here came upon a group of 2-30 Italian sailors, in their good uniforms with long overcoats and white hats, black gloves, walking in San Marco plaza.....luckily I had black and white film loaded and think they will make some interesting shots. It's really a good time to be here, it is not crowded at all, no waits anywhere and plenty of room to wander about and really see things without being jostled by thousands of other people trying to see exactly what you are. This is my last day of my first stop in Venice, tomorrow morning I am off to Florence and Christmas in my favorite city. The excitement is growing!
ging
I know I have walked 50 miles in the past three days. Maybe just a bit of an exaggeration, but sure feels like it. I am greeted yet again today by glorious weather! The god's smile. But truthfully I have always had great luck with weather in Italy this time of year. Yesterday I visited a couple of palazzos and one museum. It is terrific to be able to get inside some of these places and actually see how they 'lived' back then, or how the very wealthy lived. Venice is unusual in that there are no class distinctions/zoning if you will The grandest palazzo is sitting right next to the most humble building and that is true throughout the city.
Took a walking tour of the Jewish Ghetto yesterday late afternoon, far from the best tour I've been on, much too rushed and too little info given. But it did take me through some of the most outer edges of the city, far removed from any tourism at all. From this I did learn why are all the buildings in Venice so full of wide windows, and open doorways....Venice was a very cosmopolitan city and the powerhouse of the region. It was to send a message to their neighbors...while Florence, Sienna, wherever were building huge walls and fortifications with tiny slits for windows, the Venetians were saying how strong and powerful they were, with no fear of attack and so could flood their lives with light. In the back ways of town is another world, small little canals that are covered it seems with everyone's laundry fluttering like millions of flags above you. There is a daily hustle and bustle going on, housewives gossiping outside their doors, men rushing by with the hand carts which are piled high with every imaginable good and product on their way to make deliveries. Kids everywhere, playing soccer without every losing the ball in the water it seems.
For Kim, of course had the obligatory cappa or two or three yesterday, but discovered another amazing treat. They have these pastries, look most like apple strudel in miniture size...oh they are heavenly! Every coffee shop it seems have them and I have had several. For dinner yesterday I had the most amazing pasta with cream, spinach and ham and a spice I just could not identify....very mild though. And a salad and some sort of chocolate pastry confection that simply defies description. I am eating very well and staying entirely out of the tourist restaurants. Some days it can be just a bit challenging figuring out the menu but have been met with kindness at every turn.
Oh....this morning on my way here came upon a group of 2-30 Italian sailors, in their good uniforms with long overcoats and white hats, black gloves, walking in San Marco plaza.....luckily I had black and white film loaded and think they will make some interesting shots. It's really a good time to be here, it is not crowded at all, no waits anywhere and plenty of room to wander about and really see things without being jostled by thousands of other people trying to see exactly what you are. This is my last day of my first stop in Venice, tomorrow morning I am off to Florence and Christmas in my favorite city. The excitement is growing!
ging