The drive was quite lovely, though it was difficult to pull over while on the autostrada (toll road). I think tomorrow when I head to Florence, I will take non toll roads, so it is easy to pull over to take a photo.
I arrived at my hotel around 1:30pm thanks the TomTom navigator my Italian friends lent me. Even with that, it was difficult to take the right roads at time. After a two hour nap, I headed to Venice, which was about 10 minutes from the hotel via bus. The hotel clerk gave me a bus pass and explained what to do. I must admit, it was a little stressful, unsure of how to use the machine, what bus stop, where to get off, but it was manageable. Stepping off the bus onto Venice island was a real treat. The pictures one sees, then to actually be there was breath-taking. The first picture is what I saw as I stepped away from the bus onto the Grand Canal.
It was already 5:30 and it would be dark in an hour. I walked for what seemed like hours trying to get to famous piazza San Marco square, where all the pigeons are. If it wasn’t for the signs “sort” of directing you, I would have never found the place. It was all so beautiful, but there is so much here to see and do, and my time was very limited. I tried to slow my pace and I did many pictures, but after awhile, every street looks just like the last one. Luckily, I had purchased a map at the hotel and one really needs one. Going down alleys and winding through very narrow streets in the dark is not for the shy. I felt safe at all times, but it was anxious nevertheless. The crowds were very small. I was able to see the square and travel the narrow streets with relative ease, which is not the usual case, as Venice, like Florence in the high season is should to shoulder people.
Since I did not have time to sit and eat a meal, I simply grab a panni sandwich and espresso. I had not eaten since earlier this morning. After making my way back to bus area and several blind alleys plus it was now dark, which I then had to double back, I made it to the bus. The bus is mass transit, and mostly working Italians are on it – not many tourist. I had no clue where to get off or where my stop was or how to tell the driver. I just remember, the hotel clerk said try and push the stop button when you reach the round-about. Coming back, I thought there must be dozens of round-abouts – which one I thought? I timed the bus trip and added a couple of minutes. We hit a round-about (the first one), and started driving down this street, which sort of looked familiar, but who knows in the dark. Nevertheless, when the bus stopped (others were exiting), I decided to exit too. I started walking in the direction of the hotel (I hoped) and sure enough, I was on the
right street. So, I guess I got lucky. No problems.
I arrived at my hotel around 1:30pm thanks the TomTom navigator my Italian friends lent me. Even with that, it was difficult to take the right roads at time. After a two hour nap, I headed to Venice, which was about 10 minutes from the hotel via bus. The hotel clerk gave me a bus pass and explained what to do. I must admit, it was a little stressful, unsure of how to use the machine, what bus stop, where to get off, but it was manageable. Stepping off the bus onto Venice island was a real treat. The pictures one sees, then to actually be there was breath-taking. The first picture is what I saw as I stepped away from the bus onto the Grand Canal.
It was already 5:30 and it would be dark in an hour. I walked for what seemed like hours trying to get to famous piazza San Marco square, where all the pigeons are. If it wasn’t for the signs “sort” of directing you, I would have never found the place. It was all so beautiful, but there is so much here to see and do, and my time was very limited. I tried to slow my pace and I did many pictures, but after awhile, every street looks just like the last one. Luckily, I had purchased a map at the hotel and one really needs one. Going down alleys and winding through very narrow streets in the dark is not for the shy. I felt safe at all times, but it was anxious nevertheless. The crowds were very small. I was able to see the square and travel the narrow streets with relative ease, which is not the usual case, as Venice, like Florence in the high season is should to shoulder people.
Since I did not have time to sit and eat a meal, I simply grab a panni sandwich and espresso. I had not eaten since earlier this morning. After making my way back to bus area and several blind alleys plus it was now dark, which I then had to double back, I made it to the bus. The bus is mass transit, and mostly working Italians are on it – not many tourist. I had no clue where to get off or where my stop was or how to tell the driver. I just remember, the hotel clerk said try and push the stop button when you reach the round-about. Coming back, I thought there must be dozens of round-abouts – which one I thought? I timed the bus trip and added a couple of minutes. We hit a round-about (the first one), and started driving down this street, which sort of looked familiar, but who knows in the dark. Nevertheless, when the bus stopped (others were exiting), I decided to exit too. I started walking in the direction of the hotel (I hoped) and sure enough, I was on the
right street. So, I guess I got lucky. No problems. here is a little video I put together. again it is has not been edited.
