3rd Stop, Venice

notes everywhere...not to mention the gum...
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The hub of activity in Venice is apparently St. Marks square, so we booked a tour with a guide to tell us about the stunning artistry of the surrounding governmental and religious buildings.  Unfortunately, they don't use the headsets here as they did in Naples, and as our guide competed with the many other guides around us, we missed half of what he was saying.  Our tour ended with a visit to the Morano glass store.  Morano glass is supposed to be famous for it's quality, and the only place they make this glass is on Morano island just a short boat trip from Venice.  Having already been to a glass factory in Switzerland, we didn't go over to the island, but we did view a demonstration of it's making at the Morano glass supplier in Venice.  A few times, our host demonstrated the strength of this glass by banging it on the table with a force that made everyone jump each time he did it.  He even bragged that, should you drop it, it will bounce like a ball.  After taking a moment to see how gullible we all are, he confesses, "Okay...maybe it bounces...maybe you cry."

1st digital clock, 1400's...interesting
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Since we couldn't hear our guide, the tour was disappointing.  But, since we were docked in Venice for two days, we stayed out late just roaming the small streets of this romantic community.  To add purpose to our wanderings, we searched for authentic Venetian Mardi Gras masks to wear at the Mardi Gras sail away party on board as we depart the port of Venizia.  Did we take a gondola ride?  Well, no.  Our tour director painted a picture of an experience that, though apparently accurate, is hardly the romantic vision that Hollywood portrays.  Now, he may have just been trying to boost the sales of their own shore excursions that included a gondola ride (for an outrageous price), but he explained that these Gondoliers were basically being bribed to provide an experience closer to what most tourists envision.  (Of course, he didn't say that in so many words, but that's what it summed up to.)  So, we passed on the pricey pseudo experience.  (And, after hearing some of the stories from our fellow passengers who even purchased their  gondola ride through the shore excursion desk, it sounds like we made a wise choice.)  But, did we miss the romance?  No.  After dinner, our stroll took us to a small square where someone was playing romantic guitar music.  There, we sat on the steps of the bridge as the Gondolas passed, and admired the artistry of the building structures around us as we ate our gelato.  It was an experience worthy of what is known as "the most romantic city in the world", and one that we both agreed was the best time we had in Venice.  (Who said good things aren't free?)

The architecture was out of this world...this was done by little tile.
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The next day, we went to see the balcony that inspired Shakespear's "Romeo and Juliet".  Below the balcony is a small square, and in that square is a statue of Juliet.  Millions of people pay homage to Juliet every year, and thousands of letters (mostly from the states) are sent to her, asking that she bless their love-life.  Even the passage way leading to the square is covered in names of those hoping that she will bring them luck in love.  Since it was eventually made illegal to write on these walls, many stick post-it notes of their names and gum on the walls as evidence of their tribute.  (A tribute of gum...hmmm...whatever works for you!)  To truly find luck in love, though, legend has it that you must touch the right breast of Juliet's statue.  Of course, Richard insisted that Christina go get some luck.  What?  No...honey...I'm already lucky in love.  He's persistent and Christina concedes, which explains the picture I'm sure he will load on this web-page.  (Interestingly, Juliet's right breast is well polished in contrast to the rest of the statue.  Lotta lucky people out there!)

To think that the city is built on wood pools sunk into the swamp and has been standing this way for centuries...awsome!
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That evening, we donned our Mardi Gras masks and went up to the Lido deck for our sail away party.  Even under the cover of a mask, Richard still didn't want to get out there and dance.  So, we watched the sun set over Venice as we left for our next port - Messina, Sicily.