Venezia

The first city we visited in Italy was Venice, the famous "sinking city" of canals and bridges and islands. Though some people think the city is dying, because it can't expand anymore and the economy is basically tourism, I really enjoyed exploring the little side alleys and bridges over the canals. We took the public transportation boats to go between islands, from the religious guesthouse where we stayed to sights like San Marco Square and Rialto Bridge.

St. Mark's church in the famous old San Marco Square was an amazing sight--golden mosaics covering the huge domed ceilings. Replicas of the four bronze horses stolen by the Venitian Crusaders in the Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople stand above the church entrance. Nearby is a 500-year-old clock tower that still functions on its original mechanics--moving statues who strike the bell every hour.

Across the large and famous Rialto Bridge is the Rialto market, where we ventured our first morning in Venice. Live fish and shrimp, still wriggling in the ice, are proudly displayed in stands along the road. Fresh fruit and all other kinds of food are available for sale in a colorful, hectic shopping spree.

We started our tradition of Every Day Gelato (it's exactly what it sounds like) here in Venice--trying two or three flavors at once. They must have thought we were crazy Americans, eating gelato in February in the freezing cold (and sometimes rain)...but we didn't care.

A shot down one of the Venezian canals

The city right on the water was gorgeous!

Masks on sale for the Carnival celebration

Hannah, me and Audrey in front of St. Mark's church in San Marco Square.

Another shot of the church

Gelato Every Day!

Octopi and live fish for sale at the Rialto Market

We call him Euro-Reyn...

We call her Marianne, our French Mother.

Dinner before the Vivaldi concert

Nicola and the crew performing Vivaldi in an old church

Me in front of the Main Canal