Venice, "The Masque of Italy"

I could never leave Venice and be happy. It was everything I had imagined it to be and more; Canals instead of streets, old and colorful buildings, gondolas, glass, pigeons. However, as myself and my companions are penniless college students, we didn’t actually “do” a lot while we were there, (everything is way overpriced, kind of like living in California). Despite this, it is currently my favorite city in Italy, and my #1 spot to come back and visit (though next preferably with a hubby or lover, tis a city of Romance); and instead of writing a play by play of all the things we did not do or buy, I will simply tell you why I love the city.

(Also, my camera does not always come out with the best quality pictures, so thank you Michelle, Liz [http://lizvander.blogspot.com/], and Edie for letting me have some of yours too!)




1. The beauty it breathtaking. The architecture, the colors, the water, the boats. I mean, perfect place to take pictures because the scenery will more than make-up for however you actually look in the photo.




















2. Murano. There is gorgeous hand-blown glass in every shop. As well as the city is a little more secluded, and therefore less crowded.


3. Everyone is wearing horizontal stripes. Gondoliers, babies, tourists. Everyone. (And we saw more than one pair matching together).









4. There are more tiny streets than big ones. And the big ones are canals.










5. You don't share the roads here because there are no cars. A dream.





6. It’s definitely a city, but also has the feel of a laid back beach town (necessary when living so close to the water). And the smell of the crisp, sea air follows you everywhere. Truly perfect.





7. The window boxes in different shapes with different flower displays.



















8. For how many tourists there are, there are still a lot of Italians.

9. The bridges! Each one is unique, beautiful, and (obviously) very functional (jaywalking is literally impossible).

10. Just like the buildings, every boat is unique. My favorites being a teal one and a Barbie pink one.






11. Every bit of architecture is beautifully worn down. Everything is lovely in its age





12. I had to walk through a catacomb type structure to get to the apartment I stayed at. We felt like we were in the Count of Monte Cristo.

This is Liz and I in our catacomb..."crying out as in Rome, 'Do your worst! For I shall do mine!'"













13. People's actual front doors are on the canal. That really does happen.






14. All of the doors are different. Some are wood, some are iron, others glass. And each has a its own shape and color.

15. The sunset is extra beautiful over the ocean.

16. Everywhere you look, there are adorable little dogs (like ones named Gio that speak Italian and like to cuddle). And children. And tourists.











17. There is no easy way to get anywhere. Every route is the scenic route.


















18. They are already selling carnevale masks and it’s not until January. They are so cool! (I would have bought one, but who is a penniless college student again? Oh yeah! Me! 30 Euro? Heck no.)


19. The men are beautiful in the morning. The men are creepy in the evening.


20. Some of the gondoliers are schifo (dirty). Some are super gorgeous (and don't wear shirts as they are preparing their boats for the day)


21. Its okay if you get lost, because you are on an island and you can't get off. Thank you Rick Steve.





22. It’s so artsy. Really no other word to use. There are art galleries and designer stores galore, beautiful green street lamps with pink glass, and every window display was a work of art that required time and talent.

23. The Peggy Guggenheim Museum was incredible (something I actually did pay money for and it was definitely worth it)! There was a whole room filled with Pollocks (which up close I can definitely say a 3 year old could never do. It was amazing in its chaos but you could still tell there was structure, symbolism, and meaning with every stroke), and there were Picassos and Kandinskys around every corner (even more incredible up close and personal. Obsessed with the colors), not to mention the Calder mobiles (I want one), even a Warhol. It was amazing.

24. There really is laundry strung up between houses.

25. At night, instead of falling asleep to the sounds of honking cars, I heard boats pulling through the water of the canal that was right below my window.

(the view from my window)

"Beneath is spread like a green sea the waveless plain of Lombardy, Bounded by the vaporous air, Islanded by cities fair; Underneath Day's azure eyes, Ocean's nursling, Venice lies, A peopled labyrinth of walls, Amphitrite's destined halls." - Percy Bysshe Shelley