Where Is Katy?: An Adult Disney Land

September 20, 2012
Venice, Italy

Our first morning in Venice began with a boat ride along the Grand Canal. We took a boat from outside our hotel to the starting point of Rick Steves’ audio guided Grand Canal tour. The tour took roughly forty-five minutes. It was enjoyable to have some of the more prominent landmarks of Venice pointed out and explained.

After the tour we walked around St. Mark’s Square. On our walk I spotted a post office and decided to pop in to buy some post cards stamps. While waiting in a line of 10 people I was approached by an Italian woman and asked a very long question in Italian. When she eventually stopped talking I told her, “Sorry, no Italliano.” I think it’s hilarious that even in Venice, Italy I am the person strangers choose to stop and ask a question.

We had lunch at a delicious smelling restaurant we had walked by the previous night. I had pizza and it was quite good. After lunch we went to the Doge’s palace. This building is one of the most iconic in all of Venice. Going across The Bridge of Sighs was neat. the bridge was built in 1614 to link the Doge’s Palace to the structure intended to house the New Prisons. Evidently it got its name from the prisoners sighing as they took in their last glimpse of freedom before being taken into the jail cells.

View of the Doge's Palace, St Mark's Basilica and the Campanile di San Marco from the Grand Canal.

The Bridge of Sighs from the exterior.

The Bridge of Sighs from the inside looking out.

Our next stop after the Doge was St Mark’s Basilica. I think I’m getting close to hitting my saturation point on churches. This church, however, had myriad gold mosaics that I thought were beautiful. There were also many unique one off items that evidently came in the form of booty from returning sea captains.

For sunset we decided to go up in the Campanile di San Marco. This clock tower offered a beautiful view overlooking Venice. We were a little worried about the length of the line so we ended up getting to the top of the clock tower quite early. We took in the view for a bit and then used the time before the sun set to be productive. I wrote postcards and Ben worked on a business plan. My favorite part of being on the tower was watching what appeared to be a mother and daughter. The daughter, who looked like she was 18ish, was blind. Her mother sweetly led her around the tower explaining the things she could see. It was windy off and on and each time the wind hit the face of the daughter she took a deep breathe and let out a little grin. I love that even in the face of darkness these two were out living up the adventure that is life.

Upon returning to the ground we went back to the hotel to put on some warmer clothes for the evening. We then took a long stroll, did some souvenir shopping and ate some dinner. In one shop where Ben and I bought some glass items I have fun talking to the proprietor. I was asking him if he lived on the island. He said no. It was a great place for people like his parents who have money, time and an interest in the arts but it doesn't work for anyone under 30. If you want to go to the cinema you can't because there isn't one. He said Venice is "basically a fake city, you know, like Disney Land." After spending 24 hours in the town, it's hard for me to disagree with him. I like Disney and I like Venice.