the sinking city

This past weekend I took the train up to Venice with a few other girls in the program. Luckily the train was extremely simple and we made it safe and sound despite having to wake up at 5 am. (the joys of being a broke college student). The forecast had predicted rain but someone decided to smile down on us and we only experienced wet weather for a brief stint on Saturday.
Friday we spent the afternoon roaming around the tiny streets and looking in all the shops. Everywhere you turn it is either a glass shop, mask shop or water. My favorite part was turning a corner and seeing a tiny bridge across a little canal. Venice is absolutely gorgeous and I could have taken about 1000 pictures. Over the weekend we saw several brides and I can only imagine how beautiful their pictures must have been.
Friday night we paid 5 euro and had dinner at the hostel. It was basically like one huge family dinner with all the others staying there. We had all you can eat pasta, cake and sangria and had the chance to meet tons of people from Australia. The next morning we wandered over to St. Marks Basillica, toured inside and upstairs gaining a lovely view of the square below and then hopped on a boat to Murano Island. We watched a brief glass blowing demonstration and perused the shops. They are dangerous however, the more time you spend inside the more the jewelry starts to sparkle and call your name. Luckily I got out of there just in time.
On our way back we took the boat all the way up the grand canal and got the grand water tour. The buildings were all built to be seen from the water so you don't get the true essence of the city until you've traveled it by boat. Although you can see where the water is silently creeping up the steps, Venice is still standing and still as glorious as it once was.
Sunday we meandered and wound up sitting on the dock by the Rialto bridge just taking in the scene. It seems that every new city I go to in Italy I fall in love. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful and unique every town is. It is truly unbelievable.

Unfortunately we could not afford a gondola ride as they are more than 100 euro but I guess that gives me something to come back for...that and enough money so that I don't have to spend the night on the top bunk :)