Day 2 - A Day of Lessons
My day didn't get off to the best start, it was raining and freezing. As I jumped on to the bus I realised I had left my camera at the hotel. I decided it was no real loss as the weather would have made for dull pictures anyway, plus I have my phone.
I arrived at about 9 and soon had pretty wet feet. Lesson 1 - if someone tells you to take wellies, take wellies!
My first plan was to head for the Bridge of Sighs near Saint Marks Square, searching the shops of Rialto for wellies on the way. I had walked that way most of yesterday so I knew roughly where I was going. However, it is true that Venice isn't that big, you are never far from anything but there are so many roads leading to the same place it's almost impossible to use the same ones. This makes every trip to another district quite magical. Unfortunately Lesson 2 was learnt while making my way to Rialto, Lesson 2 - Wet feet can ruin your mood. I soon learnt my next lesson aswell, Lesson 3 - There is no rush in Venice, shops don't really open until 10.00-10.30.
Eventually I found a pair of wellies and felt liberated.
I found myself walking along the Grande Canal being hassled to enter each restaurant as I walked past. I noticed that the first one looked the most appealing but I perused the following restaurants until there was no more. I made my way back to the first to look at the menu and found myself charmed into a seat outside by the canal. I had made the right choice, I had a delicious lunch and decides I would go back there for dinner before I leave tomorrow. I had a vegetable lasagne and a chocolate dessert with ice cream and cream. I also had a hot chocolate, I had forgotten how amazing Italian hot chocolate is, it's pretty much just melted chocolate!
At some point after lunch I found myself in a residential area with a local shopping area. No tourists around and the most delicious looking bakeries I'd seen. I then learnt another lesson, Lesson 4 - Learn Italian! It was a difficult task buying stuff in local shops without saying more than ciao lol
I began making my way to Saint Marks Square at about 1pm and found myself in some beautiful quiet streets and squares and one of the most beautiful buildings I had come across(it turned out to be the hospital) I now regretted not having my camera and promised myself I would find it again tomorrow with my camera, that is going to be easier said than done.
I found the Bridge of Sighs and wandered off along the mouth of the Grande Canal. I recognised where I was from my school trip in 2004. I decided to keep walking and soon the people faded away and it was quite. And that's where I am sitting now, along the quiet mouth of the canal, looking out at the nearby islands, watching the boats and listening to the water.
It's made me realise the perfection of visiting somewhere alone. You never have to ask anyone where they want to go, you don't have to check they are enjoying themselves and you don't have to stick to a plan. I've found I rarely even ask myself where I want to go, I just walk, if I come to a wall or a canal I just change direction! It's amazing, all I do is walk around smiling.
16.00pm