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I set the alarm this morning for 6:40 am. When I turned on the TV, I found out that there was an earthquake a little north of Rome sometime during the night. I didn’t feel it myself, but I did survive my second quake! (The first one being the one in southern Illinois a couple of years ago.) After a shower, I headed over to the train station to meet the girls. The station is between my hostel and her apartment, so that made it easy.

The tickets to Venezia (Venice) were expensive at €72 for the round trip, but I figured when else am I going to have the opportunity? I got on the train just a bit before it left as I hadn’t found the ladies yet. We finally met when they jumped on the same car I was on. They didn’t get the round trip, as apparently you can get regional tickets that are slower, but cost a lot less. They got the express for the way there because it was so much faster.

The train ride was rough because they only gave us standing seats. I guess it was too full even for my individual ticket. Still, I think I did manage some sleep sitting on the floor between cars.

Venezia is out on an island. You have to go seemingly a couple miles across the sea before you get there on the train. There’s wood in the bay to designate where boats are supposed to go, like highway markers.

When we got to Venezia we headed to the Piazza San Marco via a water taxi. If you didn’t know, Venezia is a city built on water. There’s a large river running down the middle and a large system of canals cutting through the rest of the city. We took the river snaking through the city until the plaza. After offloading and a few pictures we entered the Piazza and toured the Basillica di San Marco. It was not my favorite church. It is covered in huge mosaics, which I suppose is impressive if you’re into that. I think paintings and carvings are much more impressive. Next, we worked our way out to the square and took more pictures of the thousands of columns that surround the area.

Our original plan was to take the taxi to the square and wonder back to the train station. This turned out to not take nearly as long as we had thought, so when we were about a quarter of the way in only a few minutes, we decided to change plans. Lizzy and Katie (Lizzy’s roommate) wanted to stop to get some food. Christine, Annelise and I didn’t want to take the time for this and we didn’t want to spend the money, so we decided to split up.

After finding a quick bite to eat, the ladies decided to do more shopping, and I decided to bail on them to explore more of the city. I managed to get lost without a map, which was a lot of fun. I had no idea where I was going, but eventually ended up by the train station. From here I had about a half an hour until I had to meet up with everybody again so I started to forge a new path back to the meeting area. I got lost again, but eventually worked my way back to the bridge we were meeting at just on time. The dining ladies ended up being late, so I win. (My navigational theories were not tested here as I deliberately chose new ways to go. Once I did run into where I had been I was back in a few minutes.)

I had broken out the travel book again and suggested that we go to the Doge Palace, which they recommended. Katie and Lizzy took a pass on this (to go shopping…), but Christine and Annelise were in, so we split up again! We took some pictures by the sea overlooking some other giant buildings in the distance and took in the fresh sea smell of the area. I forgot to mention that it ended up being about 22 C (75 F) and sunny. It was beautiful weather. Once Christine (Dodge) had a picture with her building (Doge), the ladies had to take off for their train. I had another hour and fifteen minutes after them, so I went into the Palace.

While expensive again, the Palace was amazing. It had a great courtyard with massive statues, and beautiful marble everywhere. The Doge’s (Mayor of Venezia) quarters were alright, but the city chambers and senate were glorious. The most impressive part was a massive room that I think could’ve easily held a football field. This was where all something or other in the city, regardless of their wealth met every Sunday to vote on policy. I think it was designed to hold 2000+ people, and I could believe it. On one of the walls is the largest oil painting in the world. This broke off into another, slightly smaller but still huge, room. At this point I was worried about making my train, so I quickly cut through the rest of the palace. If you ever make it to Venezia, you should spend at least three hours there. I just wish I could’ve had more time there. It took a good hour to speed through the suggested route at the place.

I love Italy, but I think I like traveling in the UK more. There are bars and pubs that are easy to grab a pint at. It really shouldn’t be difficult to find one, but I had trouble in Venezia. I could’ve just stopped at a restaurant, but that’s just not a pub. The bars do serve beer, but it’s weird sitting down at them as they serve gelato and other food too.

Throughout the day everyone of us got a call from our parents, worried about us dying in the earthquake. Mom and Dad were last. Well played! I would’ve sent an email or called, but I have no money left on my phone, and I don’t have the password to the wireless in the hostel yet. Sorry ’bout that.

Thanks for reading!