Our last two mornings have gone much the same: Pack up our shower stuff and walk a short way to the showers. There are lots of shower stalls so we can both shower privately at the same time, which is nice. We then take turns using the blow dryer and finally after we have finished the "gettin' ready" process we shop at the little store here in the campground and buy a loaf of yummy italian bread, and fixins for sandwiches. Half of it becomes breakfast around 11 am or so and the rest was made into sandwiches and packed for our lunch later. We also pick up a large water for 1.80 euros (and I mean LARGE) and some fresh fruit which was plums yesterday and apples today. Yesterday we spent 13 euros but we had to buy bandaids for ashley since she sliced her finger up on my razor! Today it was only 10 euros! We then head to the boat dock and after a short wait board a boat which takes us on a 20ish min ride to Venice. Today we went on a suggested route which included another boat ride through the city and under the Rialto Bridge which is a huge cement bridge that replaced a wooden bridge in the 16th century. The bridge itself has two rows of shops on it and three walkways, it's really wide!
The shops are fun to look at. Mostly there are a few things that all of them sell, we think it's crazy how they all sell the same things everywhere you go! Every once in a while you come across one that has something unique, or at least something done a little differently than the others.
The main things are:
AMAZING glass made into everything from tiny bugs and animals to big ornate light fixtures. There are tons of glass beads and cups all made from beautiful colorful blown glass. Ashley's favorites are some balloons that all of the glass shops have hanging around. Such pretty colors!
I don't know exactly what to call the next thing, but they are the drama masks that we have all seen. They are painted with all sorts of ornate themes and most of the shops are all the same ones, but some are done more uniquely. One store had some that were covered with leather and they were so beautiful! Some of them ( I took a picture of Ashley wearing one of these) are fancy metal scrollwork that is all glittery. Some are animals, like cats, and others are jokers, or the one with the long nose which was what the Dr's wore in old days. Some have cracked plaster, others have feathers coming out from them which is really beautiful. Although they are everywhere, and so common here, they are really fun to look at!
Next is t-shirts, football (soccer) jerseys, hats and other typical tourist trinkets. Once again, there are probably over 100 booths or shops to see in a day that all have the same exact shirts and stuff to choose from!
Leather! Purses, shoes, wallets, jackets. Soo much leather all over and as one shop owner was quick to point out- this is ITALIAN leather, not made in Japan. Prices are fair for real leather, really pretty good, but still not in our budget, so we just window shop, smell the leather and sometimes feel how soft it is! There is one backpack that Ashley had her eye on but we can't decide if the 50 euros is something we can afford at this point in the journey! Also we know that there is supposedly some great leather in Florence which is where we are heading next...decisions, decisions!
We took some detours and saw some great sights in the town today. Our route today was much more homey and we were able to see parts of Venice that are a little less public than we saw yesterday. Today was more shops, and living quarters where yesterday was more of the churches and the statues and such. Tomorrow we are hoping to go to a few little islands off the main land- Murano, Burano, and Torcello. We have to take a couple of other boats that aren't on our pass, so we will find out in the morning if it will cost a lot or not before we decide on our plans. Hopefully it won't be too much, but if it is, we will walk the main island some more and find us some great new places we haven't seen yet I'm sure.
Both yesterday and today we bought one meal in Venice. Yesterday was like a pizza wrap with cheese, meats and spinach warmed in a panini warmer. It was delish, and only cost 4 euros for each of us! Today I got a sort of pizza thing with cubes of cheese, arugula, and tomatoes and Ashley got a spinach and cheese filled flat bread. We shared both of them so we got to try two new things each! Together they only cost 10 euros, so with the big cookie and big water we got to share we only spent about 15 euros on dinner and desert! So great!
We were pretty tired after all of our walking so we headed back to camp which brings us to now! We have to pay for our internet and it was for a 24 hour time block which means that we won't have it again for a couple of days most likely after tonight. Also we have to go to a big tent outside (like the big white event tents they set up for weddings and stuff) to use the internet. We decided on our cold boat trip back to the campground that the only thing at this point that we would change about our living conditions this week would be a hot tub to sit in and internet in out cabin...but hey, we aren't complaining! We are pretty lucky girls to be here and we are lovin' it as much as we can!
Missing everyone at home, and talking about all of you often! We have bought a few souvenirs for some of you and are waiting for just the right ones for the rest. Give each other hugs! We love you!!
Absolutely breathtaking! Have fun!!
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