Buon Giorno!!!

I’ve been meaning to update everyone on our travels in Rome; however I didn’t want to follow up the masterpiece that was last week’s blog with a crummy, let-down of a sequel.  On the contrary, I decided to take my time and produce for you a Godfather 2, The Empire Strikes Back type sequel that is sure to endure as much as the original.  Ok, ok- I’ll admit, the experience here in Italy speaks for itself, so I’ll stop my personal grandstanding and get to the good stuff.

VENICE.  Venice is a unique city unlike any you have ever seen.  The ancient city is completely surrounded by the Adriatic Sea and is more or less a man made marvel.  This past weekend the group and I had the pleasure of staying in Venice and it surely didn’t disappoint.  Right away it is clear that Venice is different. I was amazed once I grasped that the use of cars, trucks, etcetera in Venice is virtually non-existent, and the only means of transportation is by various forms of boats. This oddity, especially to us Ohioans, is an adventure in itself.  As your ferry or taxi boat brings you from port to port you’ll travel on various “water roadways,” possibly abide by certain buoy floating “street” signs, and to your surprise you’ll see perfectly normal looking gas stations and mechanic shops to fix or “fill her up” on the way to your destination.

             Travel along the Venetian waterways

Any whoo, although those little historical details about Venice are fascinating to see firsthand, I can understand if they read like your standard Chemistry book (sorry medical field).  So shall we skip dinner and get right to dessert?  BEACHES!!!  I know I’ve mentioned hitting the beach before, but in sub 100 degree weather, honestly, what sounds better?  Let me paint a picture for you; Italy, a responsible consumer’s paradise.  (In college terminology this translates to BYOB everywhere!)  So there I was parched from the blistering Venetian sun, yet with a wide grin on my face that knew I would shortly be on the beach with friends, beautiful native Venetians, and your favorite insert here, Mojito, Corona, Piná Colada, among other drinks to quench one’s thirst.  However, like the good Captain says, “Drink Responsibly.” 

On the Venice trip, like usual our Rome experience, “Consigliere” Danilo Mori came through again with a gem of a tour at the CAM glass sculpting factory, located on the island of Murano.  Before I proceed with the website and pictures of some of the masterpieces that are Murano glass, I’d like to apologize to all husbands and boyfriends beforehand, because this information acts as the “Pandora’s Box” of avid shoppers everywhere.  Here is the website, www.cam-murano.com and a few pictures of the breath taking works of art. 

 A small fraction of the magnificent works of art.

During our time in Venice we made everlasting memories and explored truly awe inspiring historical sites such as the famous Piazza San Marco, where the glorious San Marco church is located, and the magnificent Rialto Bridge.  The greatest part about this trip is that even though we had to leave such a great place like Venice, the itinerary for the week ahead and for the rest of the trip never ceases to get even better.  Throughout this past week we explored mysterious catacombs, remnants of the glorious emperor’s palace on Palatine hill, and all the while you can’t help but realize that amongst all of this illustrious history you are in turn discovering yourself and carving your own unique path through this enormous, crazy, beautiful place we call Earth.

                                        Piazza San Marco

Well that’s it for now; however before I go I’d like to leave you with a quote from the ever-wise Renaissance man, Leonardo Da Vinci. ——“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”