So very lovely....

Beautiful Venice

The Rialto Bridge at Night

Gondola Baby!!!

Lovely Venice.....

Ok...last full day in Venice and I have some sights to see. Although my favorite pastime is wandering and exploring, I do admit I am feeling guilty at missing some of the main attractions Venice has to offer. I have an early breakfast and set off to Piazzo San Marco. Wow...what an amazing structure. It is lovely and grand, I liken it to Tianamen Square in China...because I have seen that...but I am sure that it is more like Rome in its magnificence. It is stunning and the views across the sea to the rest of Venice are amazing. Even with the throngs of tourists, the cruise ships, and the vestiges of modern day capitalism all around, Venice's charms are inescapable. It is one of the most romantic cities I have ever seen. Every few steps there is another fabulous photograph waiting to happen and I am enthralled with the light, the colors, and beauty of the city. 

I treat myself to a very nice meal in a quaint little restaurant off the beaten path with a lovely garden setting. The light is beautiful, the meal sumptuous, and I am in the mood to end my time here with style. Even though I am a solo traveler, I decide I can not leave Venice without the obligatory Gondola ride along the Grand Canal. I had been taking numerous pictures of the lovers cuddled up in the back of the gondola being serenaded by the gondoliers....and I felt I was missing something. I usually do not go for the obvious tourist attractions, but in this case I am so glad that I did. It was wonderful and a true must if you ever visit Venice. It is absolutely the best way to get the feel of the heart of Venice.

Florence tomorrow! Namaste.

Mmmmm....dinner!!!

Backpacker's Holiday...from the backpack!

My room is modest...very modest. Absolutely no windows and no natural light...but there is air conditioning so I am feeling quite satisfied. I generally do not use an alarm to wake and find in the absence of natural light...that I might never wake up! I eventually woke..but not until 12:30! I haven't slept that late since I was a teenager...but I needed it after all of the insomnia. It was at this moment that I relished my aloneness in that I am the master of my own agenda.and I could be as lazy as I wished...or as ambitious...but lazy was my choice for today. Unencumbered by my heavy backpack and feeling refreshed after a really solid sleep, I set off to explore the maze of streets and alleys that make up Venice. Now it is amazing the difference a day makes. Yesterday I felt this city was an impossible and illogical collection of streets and blind alleys, today however I am in the zone. I toss my map and knowing that I am on an island...so I can only get so lost....I decide to discover Venice my way, intuitively. It works! You must calm your rational mind and really just go with the flow.....there is an organic rhythm to this city and you just need to plug in. If you have your head buried in a map, instead of marking your route with visual clues, well...you will never get a clue. My confidence is bolstered and I feel an affinity to the founding fathers of this remarkable town...they must have been Buddhist! It is a wonderful feeling to be able to wander around, going and turning and following any little street that catches your fancy. I love it!

I also love this Italian summer drink....the Spritz Aperol. Wow! That is the best, and between that and Capresse Salad and gelato...I have all of my nutritional needs covered, with the occasional espresso for clarity. Viva Italia!!!