ITALY: Venice

My family came at midnight last night.  They were supposed to fly from TriCities-Charlotte-Philadelphia-Venice, but because one of their flights was delayed, they had to fly TriCities-Charlotte-Philadelphia-London-Frankfurt-Venice.  (I'm so glad I wasn't with them!) We aren't sure which connections their luggage did or didn't make...hopefully the bags will come before the ship leaves port!

We had an interesting morning touring Venice.  San Giorgio's in the morning...there were no bathrooms, and my poor little sister was feeling sea-sick.  We went to a glass-blowing factory in Murano.  My sister threw up all over herself before we went in; the worst part was that she had to wear the same clothes all day since her luggage-containing all her clean clothes-did not make it to the ship.  Then we went on a gondola ride-it was a great day for it!  The weather was beautiful, and it was so relaxing to just float through the lovely canals.

I sat on the ship's deck as we left Venice.  It's always sad to leave such a beautiful city so full of art, culture, and history.  Being on the ship gave me a new view of the city, though.  I'd always seen Venice from the streets and canals, looking up at the beautiful Italian homes with boxes of flowers in the windows and laundry hanging from clotheslines.  This time, I saw Venice from the sky.  The ship was much taller than anything in the city.  I was able to look down on the red and orange roofs, the trees and gardens between them, and the tiny boats weaving in and out of the canals.  What a different perspective of the city!

When will I be back in Venice again?  I've been here three times in the past seven years, but it took my dad thirty-five years to go twice.  I want to come back, but I also want to see new places.