Italy Part 5

We were awakened multiple times through the night. While we enjoy the charm of an old hotel, we do not like the lack of insulation and thin walls. We heard people walking up the stairs and even kids screaming in the halls. We woke up and had breakfast at the hotel. At 10 am, we met in the lobby and waited for the boat to arrive. The hotel provides a complimentary trip out to Murano complete with a glass blowing demonstration. The boat was an old wooden type, think James Bond. It was 20 minute ride out to the island. We were blessed with nice weather, calm seas, and gracious views of Venice. Thankfully Beth did not get sea sick.

The tour guide escorted into a scorching hot warehouse. For 15 minutes we watched masters blow glass and make various vases and glassware. The gallery was next to the warehouse, where we were able to wander through and look and various glass items. We saw everything from chandeliers to small pieces of glass jewelry. Our Firemen and Teacher's Salaries did not allow us to purchase anything. We inquired about where to get the boat back to our hotel. We were pointed to the taxi stop on the island. We walked around Murano for a while and found less expensive glass. We went back to the gallery and were then showed the proper place to get our free ride back.

Lunch was the usual sandwich at an outdoor cafe. We managed to get all the seats with tables out in front our hotel along the canal. Beth, Julie, and Harry spent time people watching, drawing, and reading. I in my infinite wisdom went for a long run around the islands. I found the fire station and then got lost along the way. I managed to find my way and ran along the waterfront making my way back to the hotel. Beth and I walked to a wine shop while Harry and Julie guarded our seats.

After a quick shower, I joined the group out front. We shared two bottles of wine and snacks. The weather cooled a bit and the humidity was nearly tolerable. Julie displayed her drawings she had created throughout the afternoon. We went to dinner along the canal and followed up with gelato.

We made plans to meet early for breakfast, much to Julie's disliking. We wanted to beat the line at St. Marc's Basilica. Plus, it was muggy and hot and we did not want to be wearing the required long pants all morning. We luckily beat the line. The Basilica was beautiful. There was art, frescoes, and a beautiful painted ceiling. They had a treasury room with gold and silver artifacts owned by the church.

A quick clothing change and we headed back out. The Campinele Bell Tower is across from St. Marc's it is a quick elevator ride to the top. At the top, there is a 360 degree view of Venice. We were even lucky enough to be next to the bells for a 12 o'clock ringing. We headed back down and got lunch. We ventured to the southern island and walked out to the point where the Grand Canal empties into the lagoon. We made our way back towards our hotel and we walked past the fire station. We were looking inside and a fireman came to the door. He told me to come back after 330 and he would give me a tour.

The rest of the group headed back for wine and I went to the station. I was given a great tour seeing the boats. He showed me all their gear, which was very similiar to mine. He showed me the rest of the station and then we visited over coffee. I then got a shirt and a patch and he sent me on my way. I met back up with the group and helped finish a bottle of wine. Julie had made friends with a waiter at the restaraunt next to our hotel. He was a great waiter and we had a good dinner. We ventured out to see Venice at night all lit up and got more gelato.

Thursday morning, Beth and I got up to early, really early. We got up at 515 and headed into the streets of Venice. We were treated to see Venice, the real Venice. No tourists, just Venetians starting their days. Gabriel recommended we see the sunrise of St. Marc's Square. We found seats and enjoyed the warm, muggy morning air. We got great pictures and saw the sun rise over the square and the lagoon.

We took a taxi to the train station and caught our train to Rome. It took four and a half hours. Beth slept, Julie slept, I tried to sleep, and my dad just enjoyed the view. We arrive in Rome and were treated to a hair raising taxi ride to our hotel. We checked into Savoy Hotel, feeling very underdressed. The hotel is nice, very nice.

After the first good night's sleep we had since Florence, we woke up and went to an awesome breakfast. We took another cab to The Forum. Beth and I were excited to see revisit the sights we had seen earlier. We enjoyed telling my dad and sister what we had learned about the sights. We ventured up to Palatine Hill and then to The Colosseum. We ate lunch at Piazza Venezia and headed towards the river. We made a quick trip into the Jewish Ghetto and walked along the river. We took a cab back to the hotel. Each ride getting even scarier than the previous.

This may be the last post from Italy, I will try to blog in Frankfurt on our way home or when I get back to the states.