“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the trip.” – Babs Hoffman
Sometimes things just go awry! Like on our first day in Venice when we were up in the San Marco Campanile (bell tower) and Murph’s camera froze up. As you know, he runs around with a little point and shoot camera and takes 95% of the pics that I post. From here on out you’ll be looking at photos he had to take with his little ole iPhone, with a couple of my iPhone shots scattered in! Anyway, back to Venice — San Marco Basilica – one of the oldest, dedicated in 1063. Though this structure is nearly a thousand years old, it’s only the most recent church that stood here since Venice’s birth. Venice was founded back in the 5th and 6th centuries, when the Roman Empire was falling. Rome’s infrastructure was crumbling, and Italy was crawling with barbarians. Ravaged mainlanders fled to marshy islands in the Adriatic, like Venice. They sank pilings in the mud to make foundations for structures like St Mark’s Basilica.So much of the basilica is decorated in mosaics that I’ve heard that the equivalent is if one was to completely cover a football field with contact lenses.That’s a lot of mosaic tiles!After we moved into our apartment we realized that we were going to need provisions. It’s really very interesting to grocery shop in a store where you barely know the language. We had a lot of fun figuring things out.So worth the effort of shopping when we were having our breakfast on the rooftop terrace of our apartment!Lovely views of gardens below.One day we toured the Doge’s Palace.Brittany was all smiles when she was outside the Bridge of Sighs.But when we toured the inside of the Doge’s Palace and learned that when prisoners crossed over that same Bridge of Sighs on the inside, they were most likely never going to see the light of day again!Getting around Venice on these vaporettos was so interesting.If we could get a seat in the front it was all the better!We took a side trip to the island of Murano, where it is famous for their glass.Beautiful canals there too.But our favorite was Burano – famous for lace-making —- but also incredibly charming with all of the colorful buildings.We walked out to the neighborhoods of Venice where it seemed that everyone was doing their laundry that day.For a few special individuals, it was bath day!We played a game of trying to spot Madonnas first.
It was a fun activity and there are no shortages of Madonnas in Venice!
Not a lot of green parks in Venice but we managed to find a couple.Lovely pasta dinner one night…finished with Sgroppino all around! (pronounced skor peen o) A drink with prosecco and lemon sorbet – great as a dessert. Brittany and I both came down with head colds during our time in Venice. “Oh, bother.” – Winnie the Pooh
You all look like you’re having a fabulous time! Venice is so beautiful. Your photos remind me of when my daughter and I traveled there together. Very special! It doesn’t look like your colds are dampening your ability to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and culture. Feel better soon.
Murphys on the Move 
Dear Barb, Murph and Brittany, What fabulous pictures…I especially loved the Madonna Shrines. What a beautiful city it is and the history is amazing.
Miss you, Kathleen
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IPhone still takes great pictures! Venice is such a beautiful spot. I have got to try a Sgroppino. Sounds delicious!
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Sorry about your colds. If anyone asks you “What are you taking for your cold?” You can answer, “Anything I’m offered”!
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You all look like you’re having a fabulous time! Venice is so beautiful. Your photos remind me of when my daughter and I traveled there together. Very special! It doesn’t look like your colds are dampening your ability to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and culture. Feel better soon.
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Lovely photos, so much to see and everything interesting and beautiful in its way. Even the washing!
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