Hello World,
What a week it has been! It's very exciting over here, because my mom is visiting!!!! I've been lucky enough with my schedule and moved my days off around so I only had to work during one of the days of her visit. That means I've finally gotten to go do all of the touristy things I've been excited about doing since I got here. And not doing them alone. That being said, she's only here for the one week, so it's felt almost busier than a normal work week! And it means I have a ton to tell you about.
We spent our first day exploring the streets of the city on a free walking tour. This was honestly very nice, despite the chilly weather. The tour's purpose was to see the not touristy parts of Venice, learn some history, and, from the tour guides standpoint, to help visitors to be responsible tourists. This last part is really important to me, because Venice is losing it's native population to hotels and tourist-driven shops. (Personal note: Please don't put locks onto the bridges. Irresponsible.) Places we went included the house of Marco Polo, an old casino, and the bridge prostitutes were relegated to back in the day. I learned a lot, and it was just the right start to the trip.
Day 2 she came to the PGC! It was the day when I had to work, and I was giving my big 30 minute tour so she could join that.
Day 3 I finally got some pictures. This was a wonderful (if chilly) day, and one I had been particularly looking forward to. We visited Murano and Burano guys! Burano is beautiful. Seriously, I would be more than happy to live there. The houses are all varying, bright colors, and it's a pleasantly small size. We went on another walking tour there, and this time we were the only two, which made it
especially enjoyable. Our tour guide was super friendly, and I feel like we learned a lot while still seeing everything.
Murano certainly had a more industrial feel, but was definitely not lacking for sights. There we grabbed lunch before stopping into a couple furnaces to watch the masters at work. In the first one they made an owl, took a few minutes, maybe between 5 or 10. Then he made a horse in under 1 minute! It was very exciting and warm. It is also a beautiful place to buy souvenirs that are real Murano glass.
Before heading back to the main island of Venice we popped into the glass museum to see what it had to offer. I can't say we spent oodles of time looking and learning (partly because it's not a huge museum), but what we did see was magnificent.
Day 4 might have been my favorite day. We took our time getting started, and managed to walk ourselves into many an unknown location looking for Bancomat (ATM). Even walked by the prison (we believe), but eventually got ourselves on track for the rest of the afternoon. First and foremost we took a trip to La Fenice theater. This is something we have both been wanting to do for months, in part because of Donna Leone's book Death at La Fenice, but also, at least for me, because I love the grandeur of a theater.
La Fenice did not disappoint. A free audio guide is included in the ticket, so we got to learn a lot of the history, and while we were looking at the stage (from the royal box) we got to see the techies setting up the stage for a performance the next night. We might not have seen an opera performance, but I think it was 100% worth it to see the interior. Maybe some other time I'll get to see a performance there.
Now this bit coming up is for you Tony!! After leaving La Fenice we headed to the famous Harry's Bar for a couple of Bellini's. If you have not heard of this place before, you should have. Perhaps read the Hemmingway story about the bar and the flying lions. It is extremely expensive. That being said, everyone there was very nice, there was a cool atmosphere for sure (though assuredly different from the 1920s/30s), and the bellini's were truly delicious. Perhaps will forever be the most expensive drink I have the pleasure of purchasing.
To end the sightseeing day we did a bit of San Marco's - just entering the basilica and going up the bell tower. The interior of San Marco's is gorgeous, though no pictures. The bell tower was a real show-stopper though. It was one of the windiest places I have ever been, so it felt like a real experience even though it didn't last too long. And the view was so wonderful, and clear, and with a great view of the Alps.
The real highlight of the day was actually in the evening. We finished with a performance at Chiesa San Vidal, by the Interpreti Veneziani, of Vivaldi's Four Seasons. Spectacular. These were highly talented musicians, some playing on instruments from that time made by masters, in a setting that could not have been more beautiful or perfect acoustically. I could not have imagined a better night out, and it really inspired me to go after my dreams and work hard.
Day 5 was the rest of San Marco's (there is a lot to see there). And it's the last day I'll be talking about here - the last 1.5 days of my mom's visit will appear in next week's edition. First stop was Doge's Palace, which took some effort to get to thanks to the acqua alta striking again. Inside was ENORMOUS. I wish I could go back every day. I highly recommend, and I learned that, as a world, we largely don't give enough attention to our ceilings. That is some prime space being unused.
They also have an exhibit going about the history and use of gemstones in India which was fascinating, but no photos allowed. We stopped into Museo Correr after, which would have been better had a temporary exhibit been going on, but we still managed to fill a lot of time exploring. The library was perhaps my favorite part, along with all of the globes.
Needless to say, this has been a jam-packed week. SO wonderful having my mother come to visit me so I could share this city with her, but also get a little slice of home. Plus - how more wonderful can she get - she brought me my secret craving for SweetTarts mini chews. This was exactly what I needed. But I won't say any more, I feel I'm going on for quite some time trying to tell you everything that we've gotten up to! Back to work Wednesday, but many more solo adventures to come. Until next time. A dopo
Caitlin
What a week it has been! It's very exciting over here, because my mom is visiting!!!! I've been lucky enough with my schedule and moved my days off around so I only had to work during one of the days of her visit. That means I've finally gotten to go do all of the touristy things I've been excited about doing since I got here. And not doing them alone. That being said, she's only here for the one week, so it's felt almost busier than a normal work week! And it means I have a ton to tell you about.
We spent our first day exploring the streets of the city on a free walking tour. This was honestly very nice, despite the chilly weather. The tour's purpose was to see the not touristy parts of Venice, learn some history, and, from the tour guides standpoint, to help visitors to be responsible tourists. This last part is really important to me, because Venice is losing it's native population to hotels and tourist-driven shops. (Personal note: Please don't put locks onto the bridges. Irresponsible.) Places we went included the house of Marco Polo, an old casino, and the bridge prostitutes were relegated to back in the day. I learned a lot, and it was just the right start to the trip.
Day 2 she came to the PGC! It was the day when I had to work, and I was giving my big 30 minute tour so she could join that.
 |
| Beautiful Burano |
especially enjoyable. Our tour guide was super friendly, and I feel like we learned a lot while still seeing everything.
Murano certainly had a more industrial feel, but was definitely not lacking for sights. There we grabbed lunch before stopping into a couple furnaces to watch the masters at work. In the first one they made an owl, took a few minutes, maybe between 5 or 10. Then he made a horse in under 1 minute! It was very exciting and warm. It is also a beautiful place to buy souvenirs that are real Murano glass.
Before heading back to the main island of Venice we popped into the glass museum to see what it had to offer. I can't say we spent oodles of time looking and learning (partly because it's not a huge museum), but what we did see was magnificent.
 |
| View of stage |
La Fenice did not disappoint. A free audio guide is included in the ticket, so we got to learn a lot of the history, and while we were looking at the stage (from the royal box) we got to see the techies setting up the stage for a performance the next night. We might not have seen an opera performance, but I think it was 100% worth it to see the interior. Maybe some other time I'll get to see a performance there.
Now this bit coming up is for you Tony!! After leaving La Fenice we headed to the famous Harry's Bar for a couple of Bellini's. If you have not heard of this place before, you should have. Perhaps read the Hemmingway story about the bar and the flying lions. It is extremely expensive. That being said, everyone there was very nice, there was a cool atmosphere for sure (though assuredly different from the 1920s/30s), and the bellini's were truly delicious. Perhaps will forever be the most expensive drink I have the pleasure of purchasing.
 |
| It's hard to read on the window - but outside Harry's Bar! |
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| Two of your finest bellini's signore |
To end the sightseeing day we did a bit of San Marco's - just entering the basilica and going up the bell tower. The interior of San Marco's is gorgeous, though no pictures. The bell tower was a real show-stopper though. It was one of the windiest places I have ever been, so it felt like a real experience even though it didn't last too long. And the view was so wonderful, and clear, and with a great view of the Alps.
 |
| San Marcos |
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| Yes- my mother was actually with me |
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| Vivaldi's Stage |
Day 5 was the rest of San Marco's (there is a lot to see there). And it's the last day I'll be talking about here - the last 1.5 days of my mom's visit will appear in next week's edition. First stop was Doge's Palace, which took some effort to get to thanks to the acqua alta striking again. Inside was ENORMOUS. I wish I could go back every day. I highly recommend, and I learned that, as a world, we largely don't give enough attention to our ceilings. That is some prime space being unused.
They also have an exhibit going about the history and use of gemstones in India which was fascinating, but no photos allowed. We stopped into Museo Correr after, which would have been better had a temporary exhibit been going on, but we still managed to fill a lot of time exploring. The library was perhaps my favorite part, along with all of the globes.
Needless to say, this has been a jam-packed week. SO wonderful having my mother come to visit me so I could share this city with her, but also get a little slice of home. Plus - how more wonderful can she get - she brought me my secret craving for SweetTarts mini chews. This was exactly what I needed. But I won't say any more, I feel I'm going on for quite some time trying to tell you everything that we've gotten up to! Back to work Wednesday, but many more solo adventures to come. Until next time. A dopo
Caitlin
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