Venice
Venice is still as stunning as I remembered it. Every corner and tiny little alley is picturesque, it’s unreal. Everything is almost unbelievably expensive, and there seems to be more tourists (and pigeons) than locals, but like Cesky Krumlov, it is a tourist destination for a reason.
My hostel is almost like a hotel, really. It’s double the price of what I’ve been paying (and in some cases like Eastern Europe, triple) but it’s a very nice room with ensuite bathroom. It’s got a fridge, a kettle, TV(!) and they even make your bed everyday. Unreal. I can’t remember the last time someone’s made my bed for me. Oh, and no bunk beds!
The location is perfect - only 3 minutes walk from the train station, which is very handy because I can’t imagine lugging around my backpack trying to find my hostel in Venice! I’ve only been here for 2 nights and been lost numerous times. I think EVERYONE must have gotten lost in Venice at least once. I’m not even sure if the locals know the streets that well. It’s impossible. And no single map is accurate. But I suppose that’s part of the fun of being in Venice.
The first night I was here I went for dinner with my roommate, an American guy called Will, and his two friends (American girls he’d met in his hostel room the night before) and we spent almost an hour trying to find the restaurant he wanted to go to. The rain didn’t help either. When we finally found the place, it was closed. Ha. We ended up going to a restaurant nearby - the food was ok, but what’s most interesting was the menu. It’s a handwritten piece of paper - or, should I say, scrap paper. Hmmm.. very interesting indeed.
Anyway, since yesterday the weather’s been great though. Sunny and warm. The kind of Venice I was expecting. Last time I was here it was overcast. Still, despite the clear weather, St. Mark’s Square was flooded. It made quite cool pictures. I spent the day just sightseeing (caught the vaporetto from the hostel to the square) with Will as my tour guide - went to the basilica and Palazzo Ducale. Pretty impressive. Oh and the view from up the Clock Tower was totally awesome. Still, everything in Venice is gorgeous. I must’ve taken hundreds of pictures yesterday. I imagine it would be much better off season though, when it’s less touristy.
There are gelati shops in every corner. I had gelati for breakfast, gelati after lunch, and another one just after dinner. The fact that there’s one right next door to the hostel doesn’t help either. Oh, I just had the BEST gelati this morning. The lady who sold it told me it was a bit soft because it was just freshly made.. and it was absolutely divine.
Been souvenir shopping this morning. Will left this morning so I’ve just been walking around on my own, which is cool. It’s about 40 minutes walk from my hostel to St Mark’s Square (I haven’t even reached it yet!) but you don’t really feel it. Venice is unbelievable. Definitely one of my favourite places in the world.
Am off to Verona tomorrow. From then on I won’t be staying in any hostels which means I won’t get to meet anyone. Meeting GG in Milan after that. Staying in a hotel will be good for a change though. I want a bath!
Exactly 1 week from now I’ll have to fly back home. *sigh* Not looking forward to it.
