Ori in Venice!
I finally made it safely to Venezia, and I couldn’t be happier to be here with Kyle in such a beautiful city!
As noted by Kyle, I did in fact miss my connection in London, and had to be rerouted through Frankfurt. By the time Kyle and I made it back from the airport to Sant’Elena (our neighbourhood), it was well past 2am. And, unfortunately, we did not return with my bags – they remained in Frankfurt for an extra day, and were returned to me at Sant’Elena 24 hours later.
So, I am over the jet-lag now, and have settled into Venice quite comfortably! The heat is still something to get used to, but we try to stay inside during the hot hours of the day. Already I feel invigorated by all the walking we have done.
We have spent the past week exploring Venice, visiting San Marco and the Rialto market (both always congested with tourist traffic), several churches on our CHORUS pass (which lets us in to 16 Venetian churches), various free Biennale exhibits, and most recently, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. This confraternity building, attached to the church of San Rocco, was opened free for the public yesterday, as August 16 is the feast day of San Rocco. The interior of this building really took my breath away, more so than anything I have seen (and can remember) in Europe to date. The floor-to-ceiling paintings were certainly something to behold, but Kyle and I were just as amazed by the marble floors and intricate wood carvings. And I saw my first Tintoretto! Glorious!
Other highlights of the week have been swimming in the warm waters of the Adriatic on Lido, and personal boat rides down the Grand Canal by Kyle’s Venetian friends. He has been so lucky to have been befriended by such a lovely family here, and we are both grateful for all the kindness they have shown us thus far.
We are off in search of bread and fruit for lunch, after which Luigino will take us on his boat to Murano. Ciao!
[Update: Here's a photo of me on Luigino's boat this afternoon, in front of the Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace, Basilica di San Marco and belltower:]
As noted by Kyle, I did in fact miss my connection in London, and had to be rerouted through Frankfurt. By the time Kyle and I made it back from the airport to Sant’Elena (our neighbourhood), it was well past 2am. And, unfortunately, we did not return with my bags – they remained in Frankfurt for an extra day, and were returned to me at Sant’Elena 24 hours later.
So, I am over the jet-lag now, and have settled into Venice quite comfortably! The heat is still something to get used to, but we try to stay inside during the hot hours of the day. Already I feel invigorated by all the walking we have done.
We have spent the past week exploring Venice, visiting San Marco and the Rialto market (both always congested with tourist traffic), several churches on our CHORUS pass (which lets us in to 16 Venetian churches), various free Biennale exhibits, and most recently, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. This confraternity building, attached to the church of San Rocco, was opened free for the public yesterday, as August 16 is the feast day of San Rocco. The interior of this building really took my breath away, more so than anything I have seen (and can remember) in Europe to date. The floor-to-ceiling paintings were certainly something to behold, but Kyle and I were just as amazed by the marble floors and intricate wood carvings. And I saw my first Tintoretto! Glorious!
Other highlights of the week have been swimming in the warm waters of the Adriatic on Lido, and personal boat rides down the Grand Canal by Kyle’s Venetian friends. He has been so lucky to have been befriended by such a lovely family here, and we are both grateful for all the kindness they have shown us thus far.
We are off in search of bread and fruit for lunch, after which Luigino will take us on his boat to Murano. Ciao!
[Update: Here's a photo of me on Luigino's boat this afternoon, in front of the Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace, Basilica di San Marco and belltower:]
