Venice, Please and Thank you!

I made my first venture out of Rome this weekend! From Friday morning until Sunday night, I spent my time exploring the lovely city of Venice and I do not even know where to begin to write about this experience. Each time I have thought my time abroad or heard others traveling tales, it always seem like a discovery and people have these moments that are unexpressable. Now, after a couple of weeks, I have finally had a moment like that in my life. Yes, I have been to wonderful places; and seen some great things in my life ( like OMG nantucket is SO the best place ever. just kidding) Anyway, this has been a singular experience that I will remember vividly forever.

We left Friday morning on a 4 hour train ride that actually ended up being closer to 6.5 hours! woo Italians and their attention to time ( Something that I am still getting used too) We decided to stay in Mestra, right outside the actual "floating city", so it was only about a 10 minute train ride away. Our hotel, if you can call it that, was something else. The bathroom consisted of a toilet and then a nozzle coming out of the wall for a shower. Surprisingly, I was pumped for it! I felt like adventurous traveler for the first time in my life. I was on my own, with some friends, ready to explore a city I know nothing about it.

By the time we stepped out of Santa Lucia station and glimpsed the Grand Canal for the first time, night had fallen and Venice was all lit up. I'm being totally cliche right now, but I am willing to risk it. I was literally awed. I have been searching for words to desribe it, and still cannot. It's actually quite frustrating, not being able to put beauty into words. After a dinner in San Marco Piazza, we wandered out to the main square. A few different small chamber orchestras set up there at night, with tables around them offering drinks and desserts. Sarah, Melanie, Colleen and I took a seat down and ordered some desserts and wine. When they brought it over, the display was just so beautiful. The orchestra had just began phantom of the opera, and the presentation combined with that was too much. Tears sprang to my eyes, and I have never been so greatful. I felt undeserving of this experience; at the same time, I have never felt so thankful or blessed. Not many people get to experience being abroad, and feeling like this put a lot of things about my life into perspective for me.

Later that night, we met Uncle George for the first time. Yes, that would be the owner of Hotel Giannovi. We came back around 1:45 am, and the hotel was completely shut down. Apparently, the afternoon attendent didn't tell us about the 1am curfew, so after panicking and ringing the bell, we met Uncle George for the first time. The stories that follow this man are incredible. IM me or email me for detials!

Saturday was spent with a morning walking tour of unknown Venice, followed by jewelry shopping. Venician glass is incredible!! We found this little shop and spent about 2 hours there! The girl who handmakes it was a sweetheart and picked up on our interest ( and the 500 dollars we collectively spent there) and offered to show us how she makes beads. It was SO cool. We are all in love now. Glassblowing may be my future, if global warming really does kill all the polar bears! ( sad thought :()

SUnday morning, we did the typical gondola ride, but it was every bit as amazing as I could imagine. GO to VENICE NOW! We were up early, after a night talking to Uncle George in the lobby ( Really, this man is too funny/crazy/ eccentric for words) At one point, he talked about how if anything happens at the "hotel", he has a friend behind the desk. I honestly thought the man was going to whip out a gun. Luckily, it was just a huge baseball bat. After hugging him to go bed( yes he makes you hug- violation of personal space anyone?!), I finally retired.

So this has been extremely long. My weekend was great and I came back to some great surprises in my inbox. ( Thanks for keeping in touch guys :) :)! ) It really means a lot to me to hear from people, especially when it comes from people I really miss! Ok, enough of that. ew.

No other trips planned yet, but I would to do Florence/Sienna soon. We will see!
xoxox
Molly