Venice = My New Favorite City in the World!

Today I toured through Venice like a pro! Well, with the help of my personal tour guide Daniel of course! He was so helpful in knowing what things to say in Italian and then translating for me so I could understand. First, Angelo dropped us off at Piazzale Roma, a very very VERY long walk to where we wanted to be in Venice, famously called Piaza San Marco. There is a problem in Venice when parking your car because there are no cars anywhere in the center or around the Piaza. The streets are so narrow that there is no way you could ever drive there. Also, all the land is built on water and also surrounded by the sea or the lagoon so there is nowhere to park a car. The only way to get to the San Marco Square is by foot...a long journey for sure. Thank the lord jesus for Daniel because let me tell you, it was a very confusing trek and if I was by myself, I would have been lost 20 times or so! First, we arrived around 9:45 so we were very early for Italians. Things don't start picking up until the afternoon because they sleep in during the morning. Without that many people around, it was silent and not busy at all. It was perfect for some good camera shots without tourists in the background. Finally, about 45 minutes later we found San Marco's square! It kind of reminded me of the Vatican and how big the courtyard is that the church is in front of. It was just beautiful to look at and to think of how many people have been here before and how historical it is. We wanted to go in the basillica but it was not open yet and they were doing construction around it. We walked a bit more and arrived at the water's edge, where all the ferry boats are docked. There were so many tourist shops that I was overwhelmed with how many choices there were! The most that I started to see was the masks in every shop, all over the city. Daniel told me that the reason that Venice is known for the masquerade masks is because once a year, Venice has a festival where all the inhabitants wear their delicate and beautiful masks around the city. I bought one that I thought was very pretty, but only a small one so I can pack it well. I found so many things that were fun to bring back for friends and family....I can't say what! I found a nice man who was painting with acrylic paints next to the water and I really liked one of his paintings. It was only 10 euro so I bought it! I also got some masquerade earrings for only 3 euro. If you shop at the tourist stores, the things there are pretty cheap but they are fun to look at. On the way down the street, Daniel told me about the prison that used to be right next to San Marco's square that is connected to Doge's Palace, first built around the 14th century I think? He said that they built the roof out of how tar so the prisoners could not escape in the summer because it was so hot...at least that's what I think he said but it sounded like it could be true! Around noon, Daniel and I stopped for a lunch break at a cafe next the the water. There were some tourists that sat right next to us that were from California and I talked to them for a bit. The man actually has family living in Rigby, Idaho of all places!!! I couldn't believe it, what a small world! They gave me a map of the city's art gallery collection that will be in Venice until October I think. They described themselves as old hippies that come to Venice every other year to go to the art galleries. She told me that when they were my age, they flew to Amsterdam and bought an old VW van and toured Europe for one year until they ran out of money and had to go back home to the Bay area of San Fran. They were very funny to listen to and I was glad to have met some Americans that were so close to home. I was about to go pay the bill but Daniel stopped me and said that he already paid for it...what a nice guy! I have the impression that it is very important for the man to pay for everything if you are with him in a group, whether you are dating, just friends, or family. Anytime I go somewhere with Angelo, he insists on paying. Same with Giulio and now 17 year old Daniel...very sweet! Gianna said to me the first day I was with the family that it is important to the ment that they pay for everything, to be a gentleman. All I can say is that I could get used to it!!! After lunch was over, we tried to make our way back to Piazzale Roma where Angelo would pick us up. We actually made it in record time even though I thought we would for sure be late because I had no idea where we were going most of the time. There are signs of where to go but not on every corner or street. They are very scattered so I was paying attention more to landmarks than street names. While we were driving back, I was so tired and hot but Angelo said that we would go to McDonald's in Venice for a snack or I guess a second lunch. I wasn't going to turn that down so we stopped and I had a caesar salad with crispy chicken and a peach tea. Their McDonald's is the same, but with a few differences. They have pasta on the menu, in a variety of kinds. Then, the fries come in big pieces, almost like a potato wedge and not skinny like the ones in the US. Besides the different menu items and an automatic garbage can, it was pretty much the same! As we went home, I thought I would have a couple minutes to shower before the girls came home from school...no such luck. I was wisked away by Gianna to go get the girls from school and then to take them to dance practice by myself in town. Granted, it is across the street from the parafarmacia so I know where it is but still, this was the first time I was by myself with them in town. After the dance practice was over, we had to take the bus back home because they would be working until late tonight. So, we waited and waited for the right bus to come along and it never did. Finally, I asked a bus driver if he knew how to get to Cappella Maggiore or Apollonia Street from a different bus and he said that he could take us on his bus route. I was very thankful for that because travelling with two very tired and hot girls is not the best of times...they fell asleep on the bus one minute in so I had to carry Anna back home because she didn't wake up. When we got home, I could not for the life of me get the front door open. The key is giant and the lock had 4 separate locks on it. I had to call Gianna to have her help me do it because I couldn't figure it out! Locked out of the house with it being so hot and being on my feet all day was not the best scenario but it all worked out. I finally got it open and then it was bath time. After Gianna got home, she made dinner while I had a very nice and COLD bath. I completely forgot to put on sunscreen today before I left so I am burnt to a crisp...they look at me like an alien here with such pale skin that burns so bad. I am so white they don't know what to do with me...well, I guess I am very red now. All Gianna says to me is, "Mamma Mia!!!" So tomorrow, I am going to sleep in (thank the lord) and then go get the girls from school around 1:00. I hope you all like the pictures of Venice because it was so fun to take them today! I could have stayed all day, just taking pictures! Ciao for now, more tomorrow!