Windwalker's Mountain Post: A Very Full Day in Venice

"Ehhh, so Venice is very old-ah. It is the connector between so much of-a the Byzantine Empire and Europe, no? Ahhh...so in the very olden times, Venice was independent. A city state built upon many islands. These islands, eh? They were connected by bridges and the merchants built houses supported by pilings driving down 7 meters-ah. They drove the pilings by hand. These merchants-ah they traveled the world--to Constantinople, Africa, Egypt. You see?" And so began our wonderful 4 hour tour with Anotnelle. Historian, story teller, guide, and personable Venetian. We were with her from 9:00 to 1:00 and then she left us. "Follow signs for Acedemia bridge, eh? Then you will just walk there back to your hotel." We, of course got very lost, but it's all in the wonderful world of travel adventure. At our hotel we rested for a few hours then walked to a wonderul, tiny restaurant down a back alley. The restaurant seated 13. Co Vino...we loved it. Drank organic wine, ate delicious food, and then walked back to see what San Marco Square looked like at night. Enchanting. Here are some pictures from the day...and until early tomorrow a.m. from San Marco Square, Ciao! BB n P...

Doges Palace (governor or mayor) with a sculpted Doge kneeling to the Winged Lion of Venice. The Doge represents a politicial leader elected by the people...the Lion represents the people.

Boats on Venetian "streets" or waterways.

Gargoyle and doorway

One of the many mask shops that supply celebrants for Carnivale.

Woman in a window

One of the more than 100 bridges connecting the islands that make up Venice.

A small boat yard where gondolas are made and refurbished. Crafting a gondola is difficult due to the need to balance and torque the boat to one side so that the gondalier rowing from one side in the badk does not cause the boat to turn in circles.