I believe the last time I wrote I was recovering from a night of madness so you'll be happy to know that I've fully recovered and am back to my well-rested self. Laura and I even managed to get to Vatican city to check out the museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and the square before catching the train. When I've had a good sleep I can be very productive.
While I've been to the Vatican before, seeing the Sistine Chapel is something that never gets old. Laura and I were pressed for time after an adventure at the Vatican post office so we got in line to enter the Basilica with the intention of waiting five minutes, seeing how far the line moved and deciding if we had time. It wasn't looking good so with sadness we left the line and started to leave the Vatican when I noticed that the other line into the Basilica (around the corner and previously pouring out into St. Peter's Square) was gone. We decided to turn around the corner (a U-turn really) and head straight into the Basilica. It must have looked to some of the guards like we were leaving and to the other guards that we had paid and were walking in...we didn't pay. We were even lucky enough to have the distraction of a girl who hadn't covered her knees and was being escorted out. We got in! Laura and I quickly burned around the Basilica, took a couple snaps, and ran out to catch our train. Once outside we realized there was actually a massive line of people that we had some how skipped as well as being charged for entrance to the Basilica. All I can say is "WIN."
We caught out train and made our way to Venice where after much confusion about what bus to take and where to get a ticket we arrived at our lovely hotel in the country just outside of Venice. Finally...after nearly a month of sleeping with strangers in our room, we were alone! There was silence! The hotel is beautiful, the breakfast is tasty and the room is awesome. Sigh. Venice is good to me. I even watched some Italian TV. We have left it on MTV Italy because while we don't understand a word the hosts say, most of the videos are in English.
Our first full day saw us take the hotel shuttle into Venice and buy a "Rolling Venice" card. The very helpful man at reception in our hotel mapped out our two days here in Venice for us with all sorts of tips on how to get around. This "Rolling Venice" card gives us discounts at restaurants, museums and allows us to take all the boats and buses we want within a 72 hour period. We hopped on a boat immediately and headed over to the beautiful island of Murano where majority of Venice's glass blowing is done. After checking out a handful of glass shops and grabbing a bit we took the boat a bit further to Burano, the most beautiful island in Venice. It's very small and the houses are in a rainbow of colors. The island is known for it's lace making an we took lots of great photos. My favorite part of Venice is the quiet. Unless you're at the train station by the bridge out of Venice, the sound of traffic is gone. I love it.
We eventually made our way to St. Marc's Square and climbed (in an elevator...) to the top of the bell tower. It was a beautiful view and while 8 Euros seems silly to me, I'm glad I did it. We found dinner by the Rialto Bridge and enjoyed free Bellinis courtesy of the waiters who try to convince you to eat at their restaurant. If there is a free Bellini in the deal I'm willing to have a seat. After dinner we found Gelato and headed back to catch our ride.
Today took us to the Peggy Guggenheim (sp?) museum which was also silly expensive but some of the art was really amazing. The museum was her house from the late 40s until she died in 1979 and it was beautiful. The art was an accumulation of cubism, futurism and one other "ism" that I can't recall. Laura and I chose to opt out of the expensive audio guides and just mused about the meaning of the art between the two of us. I think we came to some really important conclusions, Peggy would be proud.
And now, after a bit of shopping, some pizza and wandering (getting lost twice?) here I am. It's time for din din soon and we head back to the hotel for 9. Tomorrow we are up and off to Amsterdam where I will be reunited with one of my best girls, Jenny! It will be nice to see Mark and Declan, friends joining us from Ireland, as well. Being in Amsterdam I'm sure it'll be a wild time but I welcome it after this very relaxing time in Venice. I doubt I will write until I return to London on Wednesday so I will say "Ciao" for now!
