Venezia

So we took a short holiday (European Vacation) to Venice this week.  We stayed outside of the city to save some money and it turned out to be a very good idea.  Not only was the hotel cheaper but it was really nice.  Every morning we had this amazing breakfast spread that was included in our hotel.  And the restaurant for dinner was quite nice too.  Everything was just very elegant. 

The other reason we went to Venice, besides to spend time together, was to use the high speed internet for my international phone interview.  The interview went very well and I hope to get one of the three positions that are available.  I will know in a few days.

Our first day in Venice was spent touring the city.  By that I mean getting lost in the maze of small alleyways (streets).  I could not imagine a car trying to get around there (or a Vespa).  It is crazy!  We saw a few churches, St. Mark's Basilica, and the prison.  The prison was really cool.  We got to tour all around it, seeing the Bridge of Sighs, where Casanova was taken from court to his prison cell.  The history there is just astounding.  Everything has been there since like the 10th century.  And then at night we ate at a wonderful little restaurant right on the canal.  It was by far the best italian food we have had so far.  Venice is on the ocean so we ate seafood.  Can you believe how good fish lasagna is??  Never thought of it before but I am definitely going to replicate that recipe at home.  And cuddlefish (google it) and little octopuses (believe it, I ate it!), starfish (not very good), and marscapone cream for dessert.  So wonderful, would definitely go there again.

Our second day we toured the Venetian Islands.  It was wonderful!  We got away from the vast majority of the tourist crowds.  Did you know Venice was a major stop for cruise boats??  First we saw Murano and the glass making that goes on there.  We bought a few things from the source.  Saved money and it is authentic.  :)  Then we went to Burano.  Burano is one of the last places in the world to still hand make lace and clothing.  It is a very quaint and pretty little island and the people there are really nice.  Last is Torcello, the initial settlement for Venice.  The settlement was wiped out by malaria but you can go and see Venice's oldest church, which was really interesting.  Venice was started in the Byzantine Era so the church was decorated with these beautiful gold mosaics.  Incredible!

Next stop is Rome in 10 days!  Getting really excited about that!  But first 10 more days working in the hot sun with mosquitoes galore!