Final evening in Venice
Wow – I can’t believe how quickly this past month has gone by – we are already at the end of a wonderful vacation in Venice. Kyle and I are very excited for the adventures in England that lie ahead, but we are also sad to leave such a beautiful and (now) familiar place.
Tomorrow night we will take an overnight train to Paris, where we have an 8-hour layover (maybe time for sight-seeing?) before taking another train under the Channel to London.
On our last full day in Venice, however, we were lucky to experience a true Venetian cultural event: the Regata Storica. The Regata is an annual parade of boats down the Grand Canal, followed by several races that showcase the best young local rowers this city has to offer. The parade at the beginning was really spectacular: it included over a dozen large, historical row boats (not just historically accurate – but old!) which were painted bright colours, had elaborate carvings and flags, and were rowed by costumed rowers. There was even a man dressed up as a Doge (the historical leader of the Venetian Republic).
The Grand Canal was fully lined with spectator boats of all kinds, and we were with Alberto and family in their boat parked near the Rialto bridge. We had a great view, and enjoyed fruit, wine, and laughs with several rowers from the parade who parked their boats next to ours to watch the subsequent races. The festive atmosphere was augmented by loudspeakers situated all down the Grand Canal that blasted familiar classical tunes (often Vivaldi, appropriately). Kyle and I laughed in disbelief, however, when this grand and classy atmosphere was ruined by the blasting of the Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” as everyone started up their boats to head home. Even in classy Venice, we can’t escape trashy American pop music…
Anyway, it was a perfect way to spend our last day in Venice. We will finish off the night here with a trip to the Piazza San Marco to hear the midnight bell, before heading home to Sant’Elena to finish packing.
England, here we come! Venice, we will be back!
Tomorrow night we will take an overnight train to Paris, where we have an 8-hour layover (maybe time for sight-seeing?) before taking another train under the Channel to London.
On our last full day in Venice, however, we were lucky to experience a true Venetian cultural event: the Regata Storica. The Regata is an annual parade of boats down the Grand Canal, followed by several races that showcase the best young local rowers this city has to offer. The parade at the beginning was really spectacular: it included over a dozen large, historical row boats (not just historically accurate – but old!) which were painted bright colours, had elaborate carvings and flags, and were rowed by costumed rowers. There was even a man dressed up as a Doge (the historical leader of the Venetian Republic).
The Grand Canal was fully lined with spectator boats of all kinds, and we were with Alberto and family in their boat parked near the Rialto bridge. We had a great view, and enjoyed fruit, wine, and laughs with several rowers from the parade who parked their boats next to ours to watch the subsequent races. The festive atmosphere was augmented by loudspeakers situated all down the Grand Canal that blasted familiar classical tunes (often Vivaldi, appropriately). Kyle and I laughed in disbelief, however, when this grand and classy atmosphere was ruined by the blasting of the Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” as everyone started up their boats to head home. Even in classy Venice, we can’t escape trashy American pop music…
Anyway, it was a perfect way to spend our last day in Venice. We will finish off the night here with a trip to the Piazza San Marco to hear the midnight bell, before heading home to Sant’Elena to finish packing.
England, here we come! Venice, we will be back!
