Venezia

 Venice is Surreal...

There is simply no other way to put it. Water taxis carry you away from the cars and the streets they drive on. As soon as you step onto the streets of this city you are engulfed by buildings pinched together, creating their own maze of walk ways. Water from the canals tap against their sides. Tables from the cafes spill out onto the side walk. You can smell the food as you stroll pass the grinning customers. Gondolas glide by you and every so often you catch a paddler singing a tune. Venice draws you in and transports you to an entirely new world, and you do not hesitate to let it.

It is not hard to believe how old this city is. It got its beginnings over 1500 years ago. Refugees from the city Aquileia were forced to flee in order to avoid the invading Lombards. The city is not actually built on land. The islands of the archipelago are not strong enough to support buildings. So, a series of wooden pillars were placed in the sea bed and used to hold together the wooden platforms the city was built on. The result brings forth a floating city unlike anything you have ever seen. Of course it is required to ride a gondola and visit St. Mark's Square while you are there. But, the best way to see the city is to get completely lost. Every turn you make is a new experience. 

If we had not have done that we would not have come across this "unique" artwork:

  Or a music museum with truly unique instruments:

Perhaps the best part about getting lost was finding a front row seat to the annual boat race. Every bridge was pact full. We happened to stumble upon a neat old building closed for renovations. While trying to get another view we found an ally way that led straight to the canal and gave one of the best uncrowded views anyone could ask for. The race was highly entertaining. It is non competitive. So, many people were dressed up in costumes and everyone was smiling.

   For information on the race check out this this site!

Fun Fact!

Okay, so maybe it is not so fun to know Venice (according to recent studies) is sinking 7.8 inches every 100 years. Around November and December the city receives most of it's flooding due to tide changes. In November of 2012, the tide reached 59.06 inches. That is the sixth highest on record. Visitors had to slip on their swimsuits before taking a stroll though the Piazza.

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