On Wednesday, July 10th we awoke in Venice. Our night in the hostel was pretty great but we still woke up exhausted from the late night traveling the day before.
We headed out to visit the Dolce Museums and used our water bus pass to get to San Marco. Super Nel and I were both in awe at all the gorgeous building in Venice. At night it looks great but Venice seems to shine in the daytime!
We'd luckily reserved tickets to the Dolce Palace Museums and bypassed the hundreds of people in line and walked into what felt like another world. The inside looks like another land. The architecture alone was amazing and enough to make us sit down and just stare. Super Nel said there were no words to describe what we're seeing-it's one of those must see with your own eyes sights. After taking in all the outdoor features we walked into the museums.
The painting and artwork leave you stunned. The ceilings have marble artwork along with paintings and gold accents. When I say "painting" I don't just mean a small painting framed on the wall-we're talking about paintings that are bigger than my apartment (no exaggeration)! We spent the next few hours getting lost in the museum and enjoying every bit of the art. I learned a tip from someone else's blog called the "cheapskate tour." If you stand next to one of the 30 tour guide/groups in the museums you can hear the history behind each room, painting and statue. And its free!! I picked up some great information about the artwork. Sadly, no pictures allowed inside so I will have to keep use my memories of the artwork as a souvenir.
Lets talk about hot and sweaty for a moment. There is no ac in the museums. When I say we were "hot" while in Venice I mean we were baking!!! I think we lost 5 pounds in water weight just touring. After the museums we were in desperate need of a siesta. I love siestas. The next President that promises mandatory siestas if they win will get my vote.
In the evening we set out to find some of the best gelato in Venice. This involved asking for directions in my practiced Italian and combined with Spanish. We wandered up down and around the alleys and came to numerous dead ends. In Germany, I developed a love for trees. There are different types of trees everywhere you look. In Venice, it was alleys. I would find these narrow, crooked and unique alleys and just had to take a picture of it. Back to Gelato-we found it!! It's called "Boutique del Gelato." And they didn't disappoint. Huge scoops of yummy tasting gelato. My friend Heather (aka Mommy Frog) told me that there's a law in Italy that you must eat Gelato everyday. Who are we to break a law?
After gelato we headed over to San Marco Square to join a tour called Murders and Mysteries of the dark alley. Our tour guide had all these fantastic dark stories he told us as we explored different allies. Also, we learned some fun facts. Did you know that casinos were invented by Venitians? They were originally homes for aristocrats to relax and cool down since they wear such heavy robes. Then these homes were visited by ladies hoping to have some "fun" and gambling was added as well. In order to protect the privacy of these people (and prevent any jealous husbands from killing anyone) they installed spy holes to see who was at the door and hidden escape routes.
We also learned that the main square is where people were beheaded. They would have them face the giant clock and say "Let me show you what time it is!" And then they'd hang the body parts from the top of the square.
We really enjoyed our time in Venice but both agreed that one day is enough. Everything is extremely expensive and hordes of tourists everywhere.
We're ready to see the countryside...
Super Nel enjoys squid ink pasta with cuttle fish (it was tasty!)
Gelato in one of my favorite alleys
Outside Dolce palace
PS. Underwear update-I wore my exofficios in the heat yesterday. Whoever said these bad boys can go 2 weeks without a wash has never worn them in Venice during a summer heat wave. I had to do my first load of laundry in the sink.
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