The Little Band's First Full Day

Our First Full Day

Finding Our Way

 

Me Trying To Figure Out Where I Am

Route finding is a real treat. When you come from a culture that is obsessed with straight lines and brutalizing the landscape into submission the Venetians’ approach takes you by surprise.

We have an excellent map and my trusty compass. Really this (as I was to learn later) is only important if you are looking for a very specific spot in Venice. It is better to just walk in the general direction of where you want to go and work it out when you get close.

I am afraid that my American obsession of being in control took over here and in some ways detracted from my time in Venice. Still the challenge of knowing where you are in the city was fun for me. It also allowed Barbara and Bob to just wander and know that we would be able to get where we wanted to go.

Campo San Giacomo Di Oro

A Day of Wandering and Wondering

I had read about a good place for lunch on Virtual Tourist so I suggest we wander over there and get some lunch and just see what ever comes our way. My super friendly and flexible companions are ready to try anything.

The Work Bench In Barbara's Favorite Shop

We wander the streets behind the Friari Church till we hit the Campo San Marghera and find the restaurant. It was not a satisfying lunch. The place was busy and we are uncomfortable. Still working out traveling in a strange land kind of stuff.

We ask the wrong things and order the wrong stuff. The construction workers at the next table give me several eye rolls. That did not help much. No worries we will soon become much more comfortable. Still we are fed and happy as we leave.

A “Wasted “Afternoon

A Little Girl Playing Behind The Rialto

We just began to wander towards the Rialto Bridge. I am still not sure of our route but it is just one big happy childlike ramble.

Barbara finds a very nice local artist’s glass shop and buys some very nice things. Not super expensive and the woman was very kind and carefully wrapped things for her.

We wander into the Campo San Giacomo De Oro. After I spend more time in Venice this will become my favorite campo. From there we wander the alleys and eventually end up at the Rialto Bridge.

   

B&B Clown For The Camera

Our First Big Site

What can a person say when they come on a site that has so much written about it? As it turns out, a lot just none of it is very original. Still it is very inspiring to stand where practically every person of any note has stood in the last few hundred years. I can imagine Lord Byron side stroking under my feet on his swim from the Liddo and that is enough for me.

As it turns out some things fit in their place. This bridge is one of those items. It is the right scale, the materials and design are very appealing.

In the states marble as a construction material is used mainly as an ostentatious display inside over blown businesses and homes. Here it is a great durable and beautiful material used in construction for it’s unique qualities. I will see a fair amount of well applied marble while in Italy and it will change my view of it.

We spend the rest of the waning afternoon wandering the alleys behind the Rialto. Sometimes it is fun to just be a tourist. The air is a bit crisp and a light rain falls on and off. We stop for coffee and really just people watch.

The Best Companions One Could Want

The light begins to fade and we go back to the Bridge to catch the sunset. It is the grandest place to see the sunset of all the places in any city I have seen to date. The quality of the light is practically alpine and over the fading beauty of the glory that was once” The Venice of Empire”. It is sublime.

Sunset From The Rialto Bridge

We Make Two Blunders in One

We discover we ate lunch much too early and that dinner is not even an option till after 7:00 or 8:00. To top that we are naively unaware of the Venetian custom to having a drink and a small bite to eat in the early evening. This little respite becomes one of our favorite things on later trips but we bumble on without a clue this time.

Barbara Ponders Her First Ventian Sunset

We go back to the hotel to refit and rearm. Barbara’s bag drama comes to an end when we find her bag on the bed in our room as promised. She is very pleased. Buying whole kit in Venice would be a bit of a financial disaster. No more checking bags!

We End Out Our First Day

We take another toddle and get a nice dinner. Bob learns that Venice is not the place to get an American style pizza. We wander back in the area of San Margehrea. It is crowded with young students. I feel a little old and creaky. We realize that it is almost midnight. After a bit of momentary disorientation we get back to the Marin. We fall into beds and sleep like the dead.

Serenity at the Edge of the Adriatic

The First Breath of Magic Venetian Air

As the train coasts to a stop, we pick up our kit and make our way onto the platform. The air is cool and we can sense the rain outside the platform. Looking forward and navigating the bobbing heads. We walk across the station lobby and step through the door.

It was as if we had stepped into a parallel world. The Grand Canal is laid out before you. Boats of many types are running to and fro. There are people from all over the globe. The buildings and the marble bridge in view seem as if they are from a fairy tale. I had the good sense to take a minute and enjoy the scene.

It is hard to describe the effect of all this. It was as impressive for me as the first morning waking up in the high desert of the American west. What word? Marvelous, fantastic, transformative… You cannot choose they all apply.

Maps & Pressure

After the wonder subsides a bit I realize that Bob and Barbara are looking at me and expecting me to know where to go. I thank my lucky stars that I spent some time going over the location of the Albergo Marin on the train. I had read that finding your way in Venice can be a bit of challenge. My years of map reading once again serve me well. We cross the bridge into Santa Croce and I am able to locate the right alley. With little fanfare I find us standing in front of the hotel. I think I was more surprised that they were.

A Perfect Reception

It was late and I am a bit worried. The hotel may not have held our rooms. This happened to me once and I am always a bit uncomfortable when I arrive late. We step into the reception room and shake off the rain. Before I can speak Giacomo says in a very friendly tone “Mr, Gregg we have been expecting you. Your rooms are ready”. I take one more step into a love affair with Italy. Our rooms are not only nice but exceed our expectations. We take a short break, refit our clothes and head down to look for food.

Our First Walk in Venice

The Walk To Dinner On Our First Night in Europe

We ask Giacomo for a recommendation and set off. The light rain has turned into a pretty steady cold rain. Barb feels better as she is wearing my long johns under her dress. We become hopelessly lost but do not even care. This city is so unlike anywhere we have ever seen we just bounce from place to place like pin balls. We find a pharmacy so Bob can get some water for his cpap machine. We are now very hungry and need to find a place. This is always the test for a group traveling together. We come through without a hitch.

We end up just picking a place. It was perfect. The ceiling is low and the room is warm and cozy. The staff is very kind and patient. The wine, pasta and salad really hit the spot. We have a very fun and relaxed time. We are a little bit tipsy from the wine and no sleep.

A Window on the Way to Dinner Our First Night in Venice

 So we wander back to the hotel. The rain has stopped and we are all in very good spirits. It has been the end to a very wonderful day.

We climb the stairs and fall into our bed. We go right out.

Up Early and Out

Photos From My First Morning Walk

I wake up as the light starts to grow. I dress quietly and slip outside. The soft morning settles over me.

Oh, what a joy, the sound of a city without the roar of automobiles. This sound is like no other city. It is a combination, chatting of people on their way to work, the echoes on the walls, the scuff of shoes on the pave stone. I just love it. Streets built for humans not  automobiles.

I get a few pictures and a very nice wander. I then head back to the hotel for breakfast.

The Breakfast Room At The Marin

Barbara's First Breakfast in Italy

Barbara and Bob are not up yet so I step into the breakfast room and find a table. A very pleasant woman arrives and offers me a cappuccino.  Moments later she returns with one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had. As I enjoy this lovely treat I look over the list of things we want to do.

Barbara arrives and looks wonderful and happy. We talk over the lost bag and decide to try to deal with that first. Then we will wander around a bit

Bob comes down and is in the same frame of mind. We eat and head out to our rooms to get ready for the day. This is easy for Barbara because she no clothes to change into.

Another Fantastic Italian

We try to call the airline about Barbara’s bag on a phone in the lobby. The young woman that provided us with the awesome coffee was now working the desk. She listens to Barbara try to communicate for a few minutes. She then comes from behind the desk and takes the phone right out of Barbara’s hand and starts talking. She then turns to Barbara and says “I will do for you”. Barbara tries to object but Allesandra raises her hand and starts talking again. After a few minutes she says” Your bag will be on the bed in your room this afternoon”. I feel Barbara almost melt with relief.

Fortified with a shared wardrobe and cappuccino we set off for a transformative day.

It Is Not Like Any Other Place, Really!

A Few Views From That First Morning Walk

Our first impressions of Venice are now overwhelmed with the unique qualities that make this a great place. There is no drone of traffic or scooters. Everything is on the human scale. It feels as if you are being held in a warm hand. The Venetians embrace of an architecture that is unique and not enslaved to the “modern” view that new is better, is impressive. This bodes well for an amazing day. Every turn opens a new mystery.