VENETZIA!! (Not Venice -- like we say in Americaneze :)Today we went to Venice or Venitsia as they say in Italian. Fascinating place. I basically thought it was an old city built on an island with some canals running through it. It actually dates from the 5th century or mid 450 on and it is built on 18 islands that are connected by bridges. It was built by Italians who were fleeing from the Huns and the Longobards. They discovered they could live on these islands and better defend themselves.
This is St. Mark’s cathedral, dating from 829. It is such a incredibly beautiful building. Supposedly Mark’s remains are there. Who knows. Probably not. Sadly, we were not allowed to take pictures inside, but everything from the floors to the walls to the ceilings is ornately done with marble mosaics floors and gold gilded paintings on the ceilings. Just amazing to think that they could do that so long ago without the technology that we have today and have it still standing. It is interesting that the floors are actually wavy from the movement below. I mean, fairly large waves of maybe 6 to 10 inches in varying heights. You really have to watch your step.
The gondola ride was fun. It was an extra excursion that we had to pay for, but we felt we just couldn’t come to Venice without a gondola ride. Those of us that paid for the extra trip occupied four boats and we had one singer for the four boats. He wasn’t on our boat, but we could hear him very well and he had a great voice. It was really fun.
Our days are very long. This morning we arose at 6:00, and we didn’t get back to our hotel until 8:00 p.m. -- at which time we went to diiner. We’re both very tired, but having a wonderful time. Wish you were all here :)
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