Another day in Venice

We finally slept late – almost 11:00. It’s tiring to get up and walk, walk and walk around France and Italy – looking at wonderful things. So, after a little coffee and a check of the Internet, we headed off to shop, shop and walk. There are an amazing number of shops in the central sections of Venice. Everywhere you turn there’s a high dollar store that, somehow, makes enough money selling high priced STUFF to tourists.

After left turns, right turns, more left turns and more right turns we finally made the Rialto Bridge. This bridge, constructed centuries ago is one of only two bridges across the Grand Canal – from one main area of Venice to the other. Of course, it’s full of tourists. I’d love to see Venice in the off-season, although this time of year is not the high tourist season, either. We crossed the Rialto Bridge and walked through the market area where, early in the morning, they sell fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, etc. for the local trade. There were wonderful smells coming from all sides.

After re-crossing the Rialto Bridge we found our way back to Piazza San Marco and decided to take in the 53 Annual Venice Art / Media show. This is a multimedia extravaganza that encompasses all art forms, media and weirdness. There must be 30,000 high fashion media types here in Venice strolling the alley-ways – trading books, art, movies, videos and stuff. There were plenty of gorgeous high fashion model types strolling arm in arm with much shorter, older business tycoons.

We stopped for a short lunch at another great restaurant along the Grand Canal. It was great people watching, since the restaurant was on the way from hotels to the Art Fair. Just as we finished lunch a fellow walked in to join another party, also just finishing lunch. His jacket was spectacular – just what I think would be appropriate at the Country Club. I don’t know where to buy one – except Venice – and it’s probably not really worth it – but what colors.

On the way back to the Hotel from the Art Fair, Jackie had to have a gelato – and it wasn’t hard to find a store. Just look for the gelato sculptures. Well, we’re off tomorrow to Florence and the great Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio. Ciao!