We’re exhausted and cranky, it’s time to leave; 2018, Day 5

June 20, 2018

Venice

After two days of sore feet, we were not looking forward to a lot of walking.  Our 24-hour bus pass ended at 11:30, so after packing, we left at 10:30 and carried our bags to the bus stop nearest us.  We had already checked out the left baggage desk and knew that they charged per bag, per hour, so we packed as much as we could in our large packs.  Joshua carried his small backpack with essentials while I put a few extra things in my travel bag and packed my small backpack  in my large bag (loosening the side straps!).  We left our three bags there and set off. 

Rialto Bridge

We rode the vaporetto to Santa Maria della Salute again.  The church was commissioned in 1630 by the City of Venice and the survivors of the plague in   It’s name translates to Our Lady of Health (or Deliverance, depending on how it is translated).  We arrived around 12:15 only to find that the church is closed from 12-3.  Ugh! 

So plan B was to go to St. Mark’s Basilica.  We weren’t allowed to bring cameras or bags and they provided a free baggage drop so we left our cameras and bags.  The basilica is free, and 2 euros if you want to visit the museum and go out in the loggia.  It was amazing to see some of the old artifacts that were found each time they redid the church.  Some predated the first basilica (9th century CE); they were from 2 BCE.  More were found behind walls, etc. each time the church was updated (one of the plaques read “from the 3rd basilica”).   It was very cool to see things up close, including the original 2nd century bronze horses which had been taken from Constantinople’s hippodrome.  Lines were etched on the bronze on purpose so that they did not reflect the light so brightly.  Seeing some of the mosaics up close was awesome.  I read that the gold ones have 24 karat gold leaf painted on the backs of them—wow!  No wonder they gleam so brightly!  We found that we could take pictures up on the loggia, so Randy took some photos with his phone.  

 

After the basilica, we went to the piazza to sit and rest.  It is still very hot and humid here—we refill our water bottles numerous times each day (and don’t need to use the bathroom very often because we are sweating so much), which is why we stop to rest every so often.  The Italian police have the job of moving people sitting on the steps of monuments and today was no exception.  We didn’t move the first time they went through, but then they came back and insisted that every one get up.  It is some sort of law—probably so that you aren’t a homeless person and so that you pay money to sit in the cafes. 

The clock tower in the piazza

A shifty-eyed bird in the piazza

In my way of thinking, every country should provide three things free of cost to all people: access to toilets, access to water, and benches everywhere (preferably in shade).  This improves the quality of life for everyone, and when a tourist can sit and take a breather, drink some water and relieve themselves, they are more likely to buy souvenirs, go to museums and attractions, and go to cafes, so it is good for the region’s economy.   

So, anyway, on with our day.  We made our way one more time to Santa Maria della Salute (this is the third time!).  This time it was open, so we could see inside.  It is an octagon, so kind of a different setup for an historic church (most are more or less in the shape of a cross).   We walked around, then went out and sat on the steps with a ton of other people (no polizia to make us move on).  

Then we walked around that area of Venice.  Not nearly as many tourists, so that was nice.  We stopped for gelato and found a nice out-of–the-way bridge to sit on, next to a canal with a  breeze, and one of the gondole people shooed us out, saying that the bridge is a street and we can’t block the street.  There was no one else walking around—we were of no danger to anyone.  Again—the need for benches, preferably in the shade.  

From an art gallery we walked by

 We walked and went through one campo where many of the neighbors had set up chairs and were visiting while the children were running around with water guns, water balloons, and any container that could hold water, filling them up from the water source in the square and getting each other soaking wet—it was a good way to cool down on a hot day and everyone was enjoying it!  We finally found a square with a pizzeria restaurant and ate there.  That square was quite big with trees, benches, and a water source—almost a perfect square.  For us, it was perfect because our restaurant had a bathroom—we inquired about that before we even sat down! 

Joshua cooling off in the water

Pretty garden

No tourists!

No tourists!

(I don't think these people get out very much!)

The almost perfect square

We then walked our way toward the train station on the other end of the city. At one point, we stopped and played one of Joshua's card games in a park.    Eventually we arrived at the train station and got our bags on the board.   While we were waiting, they made an announcement that our train would be 40 minutes late.   But it was only 20 minutes late, 10 minutes to board and we were gone.   We had a boy, 18 year old young man from Washington, DC sharing our couchette.   He was traveling with his family (total of 5 people) and did not seem comfortable talking very much.