Venice to Venezia

I took my first trip to Venice this weekend. It was beautiful and wonderful and took my mind off the in-processing pains here at Aviano. I took the train from Pordenone, but wasn't able to get on the express train (it didn't show up). The slow train took a little longer, but it was worth it. As you step out of the Venice train station, you get your first look at the Grand Canal -- and it is breathtaking. I wandered down to the first stop of Vaporetto No. 1, and took the vaporetto down the Grand Canal under the Rialto Bridge and I disembarked just before the Piazza San Marco. I walked into St. Mark's Square and took in the sights. While the square was beautiful, it also was very crowded. The best part of Venice was getting away from the square and getting lost in the streets. I wandered upon Basilica S. Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, a 14th century Italian Gothic church which housed several Titian and Bellini paintings and a Donatello sculpture. The building itself was awe-inspiring and the fantastic works within were an unbelievable bonus.

I was able to order a pastry and a coffee in Italian without any English. I even exchanged the nessary pleasantries in Italian.

The internet connection here is spotty, but I was able to upload the pictures to a web album. To see them, click here.