Today we visited Burano, commonly referred to as the island of lace.  It’s about a 50 minute boat trip from Venice.  It was a beautiful, sunny day so it was enjoyable to ride and see the many, many islands.  I have no idea how many islands there are “around” Venice, but during this boat ride we saw dozens.  Most of the islands had buildings on them..old buildings that were in some state of ruin. It amazes me that all those years ago, there was enough manpower to make the bricks, build the pilings, carve the stone, mix the mortar and do all the other things necessary to produce these buildings.

This is Burano from our boat.  You might notice the crooked church steeple.  I understand it stands at the same angle as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  As the boat gets closer, you can begin to see the colorful houses.  The story is that each house was painted a different, bright color, so that when the fishermen came home late at night they would be sure to get into the right bed.

Burano is small, charming and quaint.  There aren’t the tourist crowds there that you might see in some parts of Venice.  It’s laid back.  They do have lots of lace for sale there, but much of it is from China.  I found a couple of non-lace items to bring home.  But for me, the pull of Burano are the bright buildings.  I found myself smiling as we walked down the streets.

We ended our day for a last visit to Murano.  I know I haven’t really talked about Murano much, but it is probably my favorite place to go.  I think once I get home, I’ll have to take pictures of all the things I’m taking back with me…then, you’ll hear about Murano.

Tomorrow, our first job is to get to the grocery store.  I’m hoping to take pictures because it is interesting and quite unlike the stores we have in the U.S.

We postponed our trip to Murano.  Both Nancy and I have nasty colds and we took our time getting up and getting out.  We wandered around and found more neat shops of all kinds.

I thought maybe I’d share some observations.  Nearly 100% of the shutters on the buildings are either green or brown.  I haven’t seen one single family dwelling here.  There are a few on Murano, but for the most part, everyone lives in apartments.

We’ve noticed when we go to the coffee shop in the morning that no one reads a book or newspaper, people talk and visit with one another.

People seem to enjoy nice clothes here.  We’ve enjoyed people watching and have noticed the lovely wool coats and sweaters as well as the unique designs.  I makes me want to dump my jeans and go buy something.  I suspect, however, that Venetians have fewer clothes, but what they have are stylish and of good quality.

We’ve had fun going to the grocery.  Eggs sit on a regular shelf…they are not refrigerated.  Eggs are sold by the half dozen.  Most wines are as cheap or cheaper than milk.  Soft drinks or sodas are very expensive both in a restaurant and a grocers.  We haven’t really seen potatoes anywhere.  Today I did see an American man eating an order of French fries, but that’s the only time.  No one eats as much meat as Americans.

Smoking is more apparent here.  It does seem like there are more smokers.

There are a lot of dogs here.  It’s interesting to watch them…most of them just know to follow their owner.  There isn’t really grass along the walkways, so occasionally you do have to be careful where you step.  Dogs are allowed in many businesses and seem to be part of the community.

Venice is made up of thousands of small businesses.  There are so many that seem to be pretty much the same, that it’s amazing to me that these people can make a living.  Most shops close for an hour or two in the afternoon.  I understand that the owners need to eat, but I also think it might be to encourage tourists to spend time in the many, many restaurants.

One thing we did experience today was aqua alta—the high water that washes up from a high tide or after a lot of rain.  While waiting in line for the Basilica tour we had to wait on risers.  This morning we had to board our vaporetto on risers to avoid getting wet feet.  We were behind a gentleman who was on crutches and had a friend pushing his wheelchair.  It was very apparent that it wasn’t easy for either of them.  There are many, many steps, bridges, uneven walkways and other obstacles.  We’ve only seen one bridge…the new glass one…that has accommodations for the disabled.

I think you can kind of see the risers…not easy to navigate even if you don’t have any mobility issues.

We haven’t made any plans for tomorrow, but the weather forecast said “abundant sunshine”.  I don’t think we can beat that!  Have a great day!

Today I want to show you our neighborhood.  Venice is made up of small shops and small shop owners.  There aren’t large department stores or malls here.  Most people live in small apartments.  And, because there are no cars, everyone walks or takes a vaparetto (boat) to get where they need to go.

We rented a 2 bedroom apartment.  I can show you a picture of our kitchen, where we spend most of our time.  We haven’t had the TV on since we left the U.S.  Everything here is smaller and more compact.  Because it’s been chilly, we’ve used the heat, but it’s subtle heat, not the blowing kind Americans are accustomed to.

The bedrooms are very small.  In fact, there isn’t enough space in the one I’m staying in to get a picture of it.

We do have a washing machine in the closet of one of the bathrooms.  However, it will only hold what you’re wearing and takes about an hour to launder it.  I don’t think most people have dryers, but they do have clothes lines.  Here are my clothes hanging outside. Our shower is barely large enough to turn around in.

We are about a 5 minute walk from Campo Santa Margarieta.  I love the square.  This is where we have our morning cappuccino.  There are also  2 vegetable markets, 2 or 3 fresh fish markets, a couple of restaurants and the usual place to buy Italian newspapers, gum and tourist stuff.  Today, for the first time, there was a vendor selling men’s and women’s clothing.  I bought an Italian cashmere sweater for 38e.  We also bought fresh salmon for dinner tonight.  We both thought it was absolutely delicious!

Not far away, we have bakeries, gelato, hardware, herbalist and most anything else that is necessary.  Our square is always busy…we’re very near a university and the students tend to congregate in the square.

Internet service doesn’t always seem to be reliable, but we Americans are spoiled.  Even though this is a very different way of life, I’m enjoying the change.  There is a peacefulness that comes with no cars and no TV.  I find I’m doing more reading.  We enjoy hearing the church bells throughout the day.   I love the walking and I love getting to know the workers in the small shops. The Venetians seem to accent the beauty in everything they do.  Tomorrow we plan on going to the island of Burano, famous for its lace.  See you there!

When Dan and I visited Venice, I commented afterwards that you just can’t take a bad picture in Venice.  I still believe that.  I am not a great photographer, but around every corner is the most picturesque view.  So, today, I want to give your some of my pictures of Venice.  Consider this your own calendar of Venice.  Imagine walking around and seeing these sights or looking out your window and seeing this every morning.  No wonder so many artists find a home here.  Hope you’re enjoying your trip!  I’d love to hear any comments.

Don’t miss the very last picture.  We ate lunch out and I decided to be adventurous.  What you’ll see is a delicious pannini…goat cheese, arugula, tomatoes and shredded horsemeat.  The horsemeat was quite smokey, but delicious.  I saved half so I can have it again.  (I truly don’t mean to offend anyone, but I wanted to try it.)

There seem to be so many things special about Venice to talk about.  In looking through the pictures I’ve taken, it seems like it’s time to show you some of the architecture and its detail.

I’m not a frills kind of person, but, I have to admit that I am in awe of Venice and its buildings.  Yes, they are old, but there is something about the character that they have that makes them so interesting to look at.  The details are endless.  I’ve become fascinated with doors and door knobs this trip.  Windows are also interesting as well as the iron work that seems to be everywhere.  The shapes and designs of all these things can provide anyone with creative inspiration in their own media.  Please enjoy some of my photos of the buildings of Venice.  While you look at them, imagine the church bells ringing, as they do many times each day.

This exterior relief is on the San Marco Basillica.  It has dozens of other exterior sculptures and reliefs.  Inside are elaborate mosaics and stone mosaic floors.

Interesting doors and door knobs are everywhere.

Venice is a feast for the eyes.  Whether you’re an artist or someone who enjoys architectural details and styles.  Venice has something that will capture your interest.  Even though I love the visual appeal and creative inspiration that Venice offers me, I think the real appeal of Venice is the people who are so proud of their city, who work so hard to keep it clean, and who make all of us who are visitors feel so welcome.  Our first week is over…now we have to be sure to do all the things we came here to do!

I thought I’d tell you what a typical day in Venice is like for us.   We’re renting an apartment on the 2^nd floor.  We have cooking facilities and are quite close to vegetable markets,  shops, restaurants and the boat dock.  Since there are no cars in Venice, being close to a boat dock is certainly an advantage. I haven’t really introduced you to my travelling companions.  This is a picture of the three of us at the top of the Campanile.  Can you tell the wind was blowing and it was kind of cold?  Bri, on the left, is from the Chicago area, me in the middle (looking the most like a tourist), and Nancy, on the right, is from Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Our day usually begins at the local Caffe’.  I have a cappuccino—2.20 euros if we sit at a table,  1.20 euro if we stand at the counter.  It’s quite a busy place on the square.  When we get there the garbage crew, which can be as many as 4  men, or as few as 1 men, are sweeping and cleaning.

This is the cappuccino machine that gives us our morning jolt.

It’s a daily job, but it’s obvious that keeping the city clean means a lot to the Venetians.  This cleanup is accompanied by quite an elaborate recycling program that even we have to follow.  All items must be separated, identified and put outside the door on the appropriate day.  This goes on six days a week.  Then, because there are no cars in Venice, you will see green garbage trucks on the canal, picking up all the garbage.

Also in the square where we have coffee are small vendors, offering vegetables, fresh fish, tourist nick-nacks, and other coffee shops and restaurants.  We watch children go to school, we watch the dogs wander after their owners and we watch the vendors bring out their goods each and every day.  I can’t imagine hauling everything out and packing it up each evening, 7 days a week.  They work hard, pulling everything in on carts.

We’re getting well acquainted with the neighborhood.  It’s definitely one of the advantages of living in a neighborhood and “becoming” Italian.

I love the walking everywhere, the small shops and the feeling that you’re becoming part of the community.  Bri will be off to Florence on Monday morning, but Nancy and I will be here another week.  Tomorrow, after cappuccinos, we hope to be on our way to Burano, the island of lace.  See you there!

One thing I’ve been reminded of on this trip, is that Italians do everything beautifully.  Whether it’s cooking, flowers, clothes, whatever…everything is done artfully and ultimately appears beautiful.  I’ve started taking pictures of doors and door knobs.  They intrigue me here.  See if you understand what I mean.

I continue to be amazed at the beautiful window boxes as well.

Shop owners take great care in arranging their merchandise, making it a feast for the eyes for anyone who walks by.

It’s not unusual to see people walking by with flowers in their hands.  The fruit and vegetable vendors take great care in arranging their food so that it is visually appealing.  Bakeries, gelato stores-everyone in Italy lives beautifully.

Here’s one of my travelling companions in front of a bakery.

Hope you enjoy some of the beauty of Italy.  I just want to absorb it and bring it all home with me.  Living beautifully is a way of life that anyone can have.  I’m going to try to do it better!  We’re off to museums today!

Yesterday was the best day!  The Italians seem to know that tourists are extremely important to Italy.  We have experienced this firsthand.  Everyone we have asked questions of, everyone we talk with are so welcoming and generous.  The “glass people” in Murano and Venice have gone beyond anything I had ever imagined.  Earlier in the week we visited Vittorio Constantini, known for his glass insects, birds and butterflies.  We spent a fair amount of time talking with he and his wife in his shop.While there, I chose to buy one of his bees.  They are made to scale and I don’t think you could tell that it’s not real if you didn’t know.  He allowed us to photograph this display of his.

Yesterday, on Murano, we visited the Carlo Dona tool shop.  It’s just a small place.  You wouldn’t know it was there.  But the tools that Carlo and his son Roberto make are the tools famous glass artists thoughout the world use.  I’m thinking we may go back there!

We also stopped to visit with Lucio Bubacco.  Nancy had taken a class from him in Murano a couple of years ago.  He was packing his work to be sent to Chicago for a SOFA exhibit.  His work is very ornate and sculptural.  He sells to clients like Elton John and Donald Trump, in addition to making

items such as chandeliers. Can you imagine packing these to send?

We also were able to visit the David Salvadore shop where we all bought handblown glass beads.  They are so neat!  Since right now they’re all packed up, ready to come home, I won’t take pictures, but they are wonderful!  Then, we ended the day with Paolo Cenedese and his wife.  I’ll bet we spent at least 1 1/2 hours in their shop.  He was generous enought to make some of his seashells while we watched so we could then purchase the ones he made.  He also made a glass artist’s brush. Here he is working on one of his shells for us.  We learned that Paolo loves to play the drums and he’ll be having a Halloween party, even though Halloween isn’t really a holiday that is celebrated in Italy.  He told us what he’ll be dressing up as, but I guess I better not give that away!  He said it’s more of an excuse to have some fun!

I’m sure we’ll be returning to Murano before our time is up.  But if you love glass, you must plan on coming.  It’s an amazing place! Ciao!

Yesterday I was inspired by the food of Venice.  And, actually, I still am.  But now it’s the art that seems to be everywhere.  The last time I was here I swore that it was impossible not to take a picture that looked like it belonged on a calendar or in a book.  I’m not a great photographer, but, Venetians have a way of making everything beautiful.

These are pictures from yesterday.  See if you agree.

We walked by an antique shop where the owner had created these Pinnochios out of leftover pieces of wood.  I love them!

We all had trouble sleeping last night.  We were tired, but the time change really threw us off.  I’m sure we’ll all sleep well tonight.  We started the morning with cappuccino.  It was yummy! Bri had “toast” which was two pieces of toasted bread with melted cheese and meat in the middle.  Nancy had a jelly filled croissant.  Needless to say, we enjoyed our breakfast outside in the sunshine.  Then we ventured to the supermarket.  We started with a typical Italian dinner…fresh pasta, Italian sausage, fresh vegetables from a boat market, bread & cheese and of course, wine.  Venetians present their food so beautifully!  Look at these bread faces that a bakery was selling. Since this is the first day, I’m sure there will be more pictures of food.  But before I close, one more picture that’s food related…boat markets.  This is where we purchased our fruit.

And, yes, we did more than eat today!  Tomorrow we’ll be touring the Orsoni mosaic factory, Saturday we’ll be on the Secret Itinerary Tour of the Dogges Palace, and of course we’ll be visiting Murano and Burano.  Come with us, you’ll have a great time!