Venezia

The second real day of my trip began with an early breakfast call and a walking tour of Venice. When I was eating, I was on the upper deck of the ship (the lido deck) and looking out over the cityscape shrouded in fog with the sun rising like a shrouded lamp above. The lido waiter assured me that it would burn off, and it did just in time for the tour. The group took a water taxi to the Piazzale Roma from the day before and started our walk across the many little bridges and narrow alleys, heading toward the Rialta bridge, one of the few that cross the Grand Canal. One of the stops where the tour guide explained things was in front of a school that had been open for four hundred years. Sadly our tour did not include a look at the inside, but we were welcome to return and enter...if we could find our way back. There were enough twists and turns on that walking tour to make that a tenuous possibility. Plus the ship was leaving that day, and I sure didn't want to miss it. We continued and learned about Carnivale and the interesting masks and ended in St. Mark's Square which is a sight not to be missed. It was very crowded with tourists just like our group. Here is one of the places where a few breadcrumbs will get you covered in pigeons if you wanted. I was almost sorry I hadn't taken Brianna just to do that. It is funny how having a child allows you to see the world through the eyes of a child. I always think of what she would like or want to do, even when I am alone. I think of what my husband would like about Venice...absolutely nothing. He would hate the crowds, the birds, the noise, the water, and any romanticism associated with it. It was a good thing he wasn't there. Again we were welcomed to go into St. Mark's or up in the tower (both long lines), but would have to find the right water taxi to get back to the ship and spend the extra 7 euros, so I chose not to stay. At least after the tour, I felt like I knew Venice a little better, and it was clear our tour guide loved the city herself. I got back to the ship and I felt the pull towards something new and different. It was fun seeing the city and especially Lido again from our balcony on the Zuiderdam as we set forth in the afternoon. Then it was into the Adriatic for the ship, and into the dining room for our party of three. Dinner on the cruise ship is one thing I really love. I even like to dress up for the event, mostly because Brianna enjoys getting into pretty dresses, having her hair brushed smooth. I enjoy the good food and all the work that must have gone into its making and presentation. And all the choices. Do I feel more like lamb or veal tonight? Questions I never get to ask myself at home. It is a mother's idea of being pampered, and no cleanup!