Italy 2015 - Sunday on the Islands of the Lagoon

With the exception of Carnevale, February and March should still be "low tourist season" in Venice. I guess that only applies to Sunday mornings. I was out the door by 7:30am, determined to have the city to myself for awhile. I met the occasional dog walker and a few tourists with early departures on my way to San Marco. Several Asian tourists, "selfie stick" in hand, were already taking photos of the square when I arrived. I am a bit "old school" and tend rely on propping my camera on a ledge with the self timer if I want to be in the photo.

Needless to say, it had such a different feeling without all the hoards of tourists, almost serene. I was surprised to find that it was after 9am when I returned for breakfast - one of the better ones I have had on my travels. Fueled up and ready to go out again, I stopped into the church of Santa Maria Assunta, known as I Gesuiti on the way to the vaporetto stop. It was Sunday, after all, and so I decided for a few moments of silence and reflection. The rest of Venice had woken up and I think they were all on my boat to Burano. The sky was still a bit hazy, but the bright colors of the homes and shops could not be dulled. Initially a fishing village, Burano is know for is lace making. I was just there for the photos.















It is no wonder that the center of glass blowing would have a huge glass sculpture in the main square. It was quite a stunning site to see. With its natural brick buildings, Murano is quite a contrast to its candy-colored neighbor. I wasn't tempted by any glass objects this time, probably good since this is the beginning of my trip and it would have been tough keeping them in one piece. Murano does have some of my favorite byzantine-style windows. I think I would come again and again just to see them.

After about 4 hours of walk time, I hobbled back to my hotel room. A thirty minute power nap, rejuvenated my body and so I wet out to catch the sunset over the Grand Canal. Venice really embodies a "timeless" city...you can take photos today that look just as ones taken at the turn of the century (or the turn of the century before that.)

I missed seeing the Bridge of Sighs yesterday, so I went for a photo this evening. Legend has it that if lovers kiss under the bridge they will be granted eternal love and bliss (as the bells of St. Mark's tower toll.) I might have jumped in one of the gondolas (the $100 per ride was too steep on a UVU salary) if I thought it would help my cause... As I watched the gondoliers slowly pass under the bridge as if on some underwater conveyer belt, it reminded me of the boat ride at Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride, minus the waterfall at the end.

One more sunrise, and then I am off to Bologna!