Venice

After seeing it for the first time last year we knew that we had to come back. It is such a beautiful and amazing place. I definitely want to retire there, buy a motorboat, a little house and just enjoy the weather, the people and of course the beautiful language. Before then I'll have to learn it of course.

We were there a total of 7 days and 6 nights. We stayed right next to Accademia - this is so to speak 'old masters' gallery. From our window, which was covered in vines we could see the Grand Canale and the Accademia bridge. Every day we spent outside seeing things, walking the windy narrow walkways and sipping great coffee. One has to say that Venice is nicer in the off-season, because in summer there are just simply too many tourists and it almost loses some of its charm.

Upon arrival we bought two Venice Cards. They give you free transport (which naturally only includes waterboats), and also entry to the major museums and numerous (something like 16) churches. All in all it was definitely worthwhile, because we managed a trip to Murano (a nearby island where they make amazing glass), and Burano (also a nearbly island where they make lace, which also has incredibly bright coloured houses - see pic.). Also seeing Venice from the water gives you a different perspective... kind of makes you appreciate in a sense how fragile it really is being built on wooden stumps.

Of course Venice wouldn't be what it is without the numerous churches and palazzo's (in all of which you have to behave very _decently_ - see pic.). Even some of the older churches have beautiful renaissance (or pre-renaissance) frescoe's, painings and murals. It's not unusual to stumble upon a work of Rubens, Titian or Tintoretto. It is at these times that I really miss my Mum, because she'd be able to tell so much about each one of those and the experience would be a lot more enriching.


It is in Venice that we celebrated our four years of marriage. Together we have been through a lot - changing jobs, changing cities, changing countries, parents leaving, parents coming back, friends moving away, friends moving closer. And of course we have changed in a lot of ways - some for the better, some for the worst. But all in all love prevails and makes us happier.

Also in Venice we celebrated my birthday. Thank you very much to everyone who called, sms'ed, emailed or otherwise congratulated me. I have decided that wherever we are next year I want to spend my birthday with family or friends. Somehow being away made me incredibly sad. Thankfully Jack put up with all of my whinging and whining, and even offered to buy me 350 Euro boots, which I refused (I can just see Yulchik thinking "you silly woman!"). In the evening though we had a very nice dinner overlooking the sunset over the channel. It was beautiful.

Venice for me is always associated with this feeling of something eternal and incredibly beautiful. It has been through wars and catastrophies, it's been sinking almost ever since it's been built, and yet it's there - to entice us and show that life is amazing. If Venice was a person I think she'd be Audrey Hepburn.

Random photos (check out how colour coordinated the locals are - especially with their surroundings - ie. the bench):