Venice

Hello all- please forgive us since we have been running around for the past few days and haven't been able to blog. Since Milan, we arrived in Venice via bus and water taxi. That's right- water taxi. Welcome to the land of streets filled with water. Our hotel is located conveniently a few steps away from San Marco's Square-which we soon learned is filled with birds and tourists-and birds on tourists...

We received passes that got us into 16 different churches all around the city. As we were holding maps trying to find our way to each church, many of us found the other joy famous in Venice- shopping. The shops here are filled with the famous Murano Glass and masks. Oh the joy of mask shopping. Each mask here is decorated personally by each shop owner, making them unique to the individual. Unfortunately, we were quickly scolded when trying to take pictures with the masks-so you can use your own imagination. Masks here are used during the famous "Carnival," which we are missing by one week.

Yesterday, we traveled by boat to a glass factory where we were able to see the process of creating everything from glass vases to glass horses. It was so interesting! Glass makers usually train under a qualified master for 10 years until they are able to create their own works. Each worker only has about 3 minutes to create their glass sculpture. It was incredible to see with our own eyes. The day ended with a
guided water boat tour along the famous Grand Canal!

We also had tickets for a performance at the famous opera house, La Fenice. It was the most beautiful theater we have ever seen. We walked in and were astonished by the famous gold ceilings and balconies we had studied in the fall. The performance was simply beautiful- It included some of the best string musicians who played in perfect unison. Something we will never forget!

Other visits included the famous Academia and the Guggenheim Museum!

Tomorrow, we are off to Ravenna for a day and night-then, we sadly travel back to Rome for one last visit before we come home!

-EloninItaly