We have been in Venice for three days now. We've taken a lot of time to rest here, which has been nice, as we had a very busy schedule in Berlin which we really enjoyed. Venice is a very beautiful place, even in the rain, which was the weather situation yesterday. With our Portland experience, we stepped out undaunted into the gray, drizzly day and wandered down the narrow streets of closely clustered buildings and found little glass or souvenir shops to tuck into for a dry moment here and there.
The food has been an enjoyable experience for the most part here. We've had our share of pizzas, gelato, cappucinos, gnocchi and spaghetti...and even a lovely breakfast spread at our hotel. What we have enjoyed most about our breakfast is the company more than the food. We met a lovely family from New Zealand - a couple, their four daughters and the grandpapa - and have shared great conversation with them. The daughters - Holly, Juliette, Lucy and Suzannah - were quite sweet and liked to tell us about their hot chocolate, puddles that left their trousers wet and their history lessons at home. Holly, who is 9, told Steven this morning that "you make the conversationn very interesting." They left this evening and we were quite sad to see them go.
Tonight we visited St. Mark's Square and listened to a variety of small orchestras playing, so we used the free music to dance together in the middle of people and pigeons alike. The sun was low in the sky and the air is still slightly warm in the evenings - a perfect moment for being in love.
Here are some of the sights from the last few days:
