We forgot some things that we should mention. We saw a motorboat (long and skinny like a gondola) with 8x 12 pieces of sheetrock stacked up like 10 high. You and I would usually see them on the bed of some truck. With all the construction and reconstruction going on there has to be some way to get the stuff from place to place. Oh, and we haven’t seen 1 Menards or Home Depot yet.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:15 AM
Good morning. Just got out of the shower. Luke and I slept late. Went to bed late @ 2330. Luke went to the store this am. He said he was going to get some fruit and milk and maybe some cereal. My Lukie boy. Luke had a hard time getting out of the apartment. He couldn’t get the door unlocked---from the inside. Crazy. He just walked in. He got some white wine, a red and 2 one liter bottles of milk. Yumm. That milk tastes good. Our plan is the Rialto Bridge and Friari church, and then to Murano Island. We’ll let you know more when we do. Ljf
5:28 pm
We just got back from our day. We went to the Rialto bridge which was covered in vendors and things.
We took the direct vaporetto bus to get there the #1. It was touristy enough but had some merit. The fish market and produce market was there- and was of course the highlight of our trek down there. Saw some Murano clocks and loads of necklaces, glass ash trays. Got a 2 € shot glass for my friend Bola who interestingly enough does not drink alcohol. We wandered around some more, got off the beaten track saw a lot of meat shops, fish shops and stands near the fish market, stationary and blank book shops that had marble paper. I know I would have bought something at the stationary shop if I would have stopped. We saw purse stores, panty stores, glove stores, kitchen store (with not so much stuff- and it was expensive.) We continued and went in to the fish market area.
It was neat to see, so big and so stinky, lots of fish. I am surprised the fish weren’t moving. We saw black ink squids- they were stained black and grey. There is a special black spaghetti (inked) and some kind of squid.
We happened upon a small cheese store. They had fresh pasta- that is what excited me- but what makes me hungry is not the same for my husband. He ignored my request for pasta and cheese. Then we saw this very crowded very small cheese store. My mouth started watering. I saw some soft asiago and a HUGE wheel of parmesan- oh it looked good. I sent Luke in there to speak Italian and do my bidding. When I stuck my head in to get a peak at what is going on the whole place smelled like REAL macaroni and cheese it was so good. They used a cheese pick (the blade was kind of diamond shaped) to score the edges of the cheese and then split it apart to make it into a nice small wedge from a huge ¼ wheel of cheese. I told Luke what I had learned from Rick Steve’s book say “un etto” which is 100 grams which is also just enough to take for a picnic. He was right! Luke ordered me to go buy an apple from the neighboring fresh veg vendor. When I asked why Luke said cause apples are good with cheese. I think that is crazy but whatev. I did get a pink lady apple. The fruit is really nice here. Some vendors had lemons the size of big grapefruit, they were 2.50 € /kilo. We did not get any. So we walked a block and found this big open square called Campo C. Battisti and there were vacant steps so we parked our bums and sat for lunch as it was like 1 or so.
I was so happy eating this cheese I almost started to cry. I was so happy. Luke and I ate the apple and Asiago and Parmesano reggiano, and the pre packed lunch of bun with butter and percorino romano, dried cherries, another apple from home, it doesn’t sound like much but boy were we full. We enjoyed watching the people walk their dogs and one who was running loose went around the block- we saw him disappear down a street and came back from another direction- obviously he knew his way around. He must have felt contempt because when he came back into the square he took a crap right in the middle of the square. We watched him and he wasn’t even ashamed. Luke hoped that some lady with fancy unreasonable shoes would step in it. Poor dogs in this town, there is no grass or trees to pee/poop on. (I guess the first area of grass I have seen is in our backyard actually) Luke likes to watch the mannerisms of the pigeons. The boy (we assume) pigeon rushes to get in front of the female pigeon (again, we assume) and fluffs up all his feathers and makes his tail feather wide and fluffy. He then twirls around in circles in front of the female pigeon to get her attention. The male pigeon is persistent and keeps up with the female pigeon as she tries to escape and ignore the prancing pigeon. It is funny, we enjoy watching pigeon antics.
Next on our list was to go to the Friari Church. We kind of knew where we were at so we kept walking and all of a sudden there was the Rialto bridge and all the vendors in there glory. We took a good little hike to the Friari church. Luke did an amazing job again at the navigation. We came upon it and it is right in the middle of smushed together buildings like all over here and then there is this HUGE church. HUGE! Monstrous, it was even bigger when you got inside. My mouth just dropped. I suppose I can’t speak for Luke but it was very impressive inside. I can’t imagine worshiping here every week. How intimidating. Can you imagine having a contemporary service in there like with a small band? HA! It was in the gothic style and was very well lit. It was done in red and white stonework. I liked it very much (cause red is my favorite color). There were like six 20 ft tall paintings of J.C. in various parts of his life. Also there were monuments/tombs of various people who were famous or important to the church. On those tombs there were huge statues like 6 feet tall this time like a dozen of them. I couldn’t help but think how much time it took to build this tomb. Titian’s monument–pronounced “tishin” was built 200 years after his death. Was that because that’s how long it took to recognize him as an important artist or because that’s how long it took to accrue all the statue work for it. It was very neat. We wanted to take pictures but with no flash allowed we opted to buy postcards- which if I haven’t mentioned cost only €0.30. And that is consistent all over Venice. Was very happy with that.
Next on our list is to go to Murano Island which is a “glass island” supposedly it was to seclude the glassmakers to keep their techniques secret from the rest of the spying glassmaking world. It was also secluded to that island because Venetians were scared that if their glass fires got out of control, Venice would burn, so local legislature deemed it necessary to have glass making only on that island. We got off a stop that was not close to our destination. Oh well. We hiked a ways past all kinds of tourist glass shops. Glass shop after glass shop. Finally we came upon the museum. We didn’t have to pay admission even though it was only like €5.50 because we had the museum card. We saw some old glass from like the 1st century. It was neat to see. Not a terribly large museum or exhibit or necessarily an exciting one. We spent all that time to get there and it was kind of a “oh what did we go out of our way for that for.” We found the correct vaporetto stop later and decided we might as well spend some more time in Murano and we actually went into a few shops. I bought a necklace for 12 € and earrings for 8€.
Then we saw people with gelato. We haven’t had gelato yet. That was hard for me to believe especially since my husband is an ice cream fanatic normally. You’d think it would be in overdrive when in Italy. So we stopped, I had 1 scoop €0.90, Luke had 2 scoops €1.80. I thought that was a reasonable price. I had strawberry (I think it was more sorbet than the milk based gelato) Luke had chocolate and vanilla. I think the vanilla was best. Luke said this tastes like Culver’s ice cream. I said I thought it tasted better. I guess my husband has high standards when it comes to his favorites: ice cream and hot dogs. We ate at the bistro table outside the shop- this was the first time we have eaten in chairs! You have to be a paying customer to sit in the chairs. We have not been paying customers yet at a dining establishment. We caught the #41 Vaporetto home which was VERY VERY crowded. When I say standing room only- that’s what I mean. I was pressed 1 hip to my husband, my front and back touching other people- the whole time. Needless to say I had my hand in my pocket on my wallet and the other was on my purse. We finally exited the vaporetto at a different spot from usual and took a scenic local walk through the residential area. That was neat. We saw an electronics store- run by mom and pop, a green grocer, a toy store, and Italian neighbors mingling. We also saw “Venetian blinds” we took a picture! Ha! Venetian blinds, I wonder what they call them.
We found our way home with little trouble. Opened all the windows and let the fresh air in. It was so nice out today. Warm in the sun, cool in the shade. No clouds in the sky. A strong breeze if you are in the right spot. Luke keeps saying how lucky we are with the weather. We have had no clouds not too hot not too cold. I would ideally like it maybe 5 degrees cooler. Luke likes it just where it is now. I do agree with him, we have gone on too many spring vacations where we contend with rain and cold temps.
Luke is in the process of making dinner. Tonight is Gnocci essence (they fell apart in the water) and left over pasta from last night revived with a white wine cream sauce. Our seasonal frozen vegetable will be the minestrone mix, fresh bread from the Punta store and frizzante white wine Vino Verduzzo. Luke is telling me to put the computer away for dinner- which I will do gladly. Good night!
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 9:15 AM
Good morning. Just got out of the shower. Luke and I slept late. Went to bed late @ 2330. Luke went to the store this am. He said he was going to get some fruit and milk and maybe some cereal. My Lukie boy. Luke had a hard time getting out of the apartment. He couldn’t get the door unlocked---from the inside. Crazy. He just walked in. He got some white wine, a red and 2 one liter bottles of milk. Yumm. That milk tastes good. Our plan is the Rialto Bridge and Friari church, and then to Murano Island. We’ll let you know more when we do. Ljf
5:28 pm
We just got back from our day. We went to the Rialto bridge which was covered in vendors and things.
We took the direct vaporetto bus to get there the #1. It was touristy enough but had some merit. The fish market and produce market was there- and was of course the highlight of our trek down there. Saw some Murano clocks and loads of necklaces, glass ash trays. Got a 2 € shot glass for my friend Bola who interestingly enough does not drink alcohol. We wandered around some more, got off the beaten track saw a lot of meat shops, fish shops and stands near the fish market, stationary and blank book shops that had marble paper. I know I would have bought something at the stationary shop if I would have stopped. We saw purse stores, panty stores, glove stores, kitchen store (with not so much stuff- and it was expensive.) We continued and went in to the fish market area.
It was neat to see, so big and so stinky, lots of fish. I am surprised the fish weren’t moving. We saw black ink squids- they were stained black and grey. There is a special black spaghetti (inked) and some kind of squid.
We happened upon a small cheese store. They had fresh pasta- that is what excited me- but what makes me hungry is not the same for my husband. He ignored my request for pasta and cheese. Then we saw this very crowded very small cheese store. My mouth started watering. I saw some soft asiago and a HUGE wheel of parmesan- oh it looked good. I sent Luke in there to speak Italian and do my bidding. When I stuck my head in to get a peak at what is going on the whole place smelled like REAL macaroni and cheese it was so good. They used a cheese pick (the blade was kind of diamond shaped) to score the edges of the cheese and then split it apart to make it into a nice small wedge from a huge ¼ wheel of cheese. I told Luke what I had learned from Rick Steve’s book say “un etto” which is 100 grams which is also just enough to take for a picnic. He was right! Luke ordered me to go buy an apple from the neighboring fresh veg vendor. When I asked why Luke said cause apples are good with cheese. I think that is crazy but whatev. I did get a pink lady apple. The fruit is really nice here. Some vendors had lemons the size of big grapefruit, they were 2.50 € /kilo. We did not get any. So we walked a block and found this big open square called Campo C. Battisti and there were vacant steps so we parked our bums and sat for lunch as it was like 1 or so.
I was so happy eating this cheese I almost started to cry. I was so happy. Luke and I ate the apple and Asiago and Parmesano reggiano, and the pre packed lunch of bun with butter and percorino romano, dried cherries, another apple from home, it doesn’t sound like much but boy were we full. We enjoyed watching the people walk their dogs and one who was running loose went around the block- we saw him disappear down a street and came back from another direction- obviously he knew his way around. He must have felt contempt because when he came back into the square he took a crap right in the middle of the square. We watched him and he wasn’t even ashamed. Luke hoped that some lady with fancy unreasonable shoes would step in it. Poor dogs in this town, there is no grass or trees to pee/poop on. (I guess the first area of grass I have seen is in our backyard actually) Luke likes to watch the mannerisms of the pigeons. The boy (we assume) pigeon rushes to get in front of the female pigeon (again, we assume) and fluffs up all his feathers and makes his tail feather wide and fluffy. He then twirls around in circles in front of the female pigeon to get her attention. The male pigeon is persistent and keeps up with the female pigeon as she tries to escape and ignore the prancing pigeon. It is funny, we enjoy watching pigeon antics.
Next on our list was to go to the Friari Church. We kind of knew where we were at so we kept walking and all of a sudden there was the Rialto bridge and all the vendors in there glory. We took a good little hike to the Friari church. Luke did an amazing job again at the navigation. We came upon it and it is right in the middle of smushed together buildings like all over here and then there is this HUGE church. HUGE! Monstrous, it was even bigger when you got inside. My mouth just dropped. I suppose I can’t speak for Luke but it was very impressive inside. I can’t imagine worshiping here every week. How intimidating. Can you imagine having a contemporary service in there like with a small band? HA! It was in the gothic style and was very well lit. It was done in red and white stonework. I liked it very much (cause red is my favorite color). There were like six 20 ft tall paintings of J.C. in various parts of his life. Also there were monuments/tombs of various people who were famous or important to the church. On those tombs there were huge statues like 6 feet tall this time like a dozen of them. I couldn’t help but think how much time it took to build this tomb. Titian’s monument–pronounced “tishin” was built 200 years after his death. Was that because that’s how long it took to recognize him as an important artist or because that’s how long it took to accrue all the statue work for it. It was very neat. We wanted to take pictures but with no flash allowed we opted to buy postcards- which if I haven’t mentioned cost only €0.30. And that is consistent all over Venice. Was very happy with that.
Next on our list is to go to Murano Island which is a “glass island” supposedly it was to seclude the glassmakers to keep their techniques secret from the rest of the spying glassmaking world. It was also secluded to that island because Venetians were scared that if their glass fires got out of control, Venice would burn, so local legislature deemed it necessary to have glass making only on that island. We got off a stop that was not close to our destination. Oh well. We hiked a ways past all kinds of tourist glass shops. Glass shop after glass shop. Finally we came upon the museum. We didn’t have to pay admission even though it was only like €5.50 because we had the museum card. We saw some old glass from like the 1st century. It was neat to see. Not a terribly large museum or exhibit or necessarily an exciting one. We spent all that time to get there and it was kind of a “oh what did we go out of our way for that for.” We found the correct vaporetto stop later and decided we might as well spend some more time in Murano and we actually went into a few shops. I bought a necklace for 12 € and earrings for 8€.
Then we saw people with gelato. We haven’t had gelato yet. That was hard for me to believe especially since my husband is an ice cream fanatic normally. You’d think it would be in overdrive when in Italy. So we stopped, I had 1 scoop €0.90, Luke had 2 scoops €1.80. I thought that was a reasonable price. I had strawberry (I think it was more sorbet than the milk based gelato) Luke had chocolate and vanilla. I think the vanilla was best. Luke said this tastes like Culver’s ice cream. I said I thought it tasted better. I guess my husband has high standards when it comes to his favorites: ice cream and hot dogs. We ate at the bistro table outside the shop- this was the first time we have eaten in chairs! You have to be a paying customer to sit in the chairs. We have not been paying customers yet at a dining establishment. We caught the #41 Vaporetto home which was VERY VERY crowded. When I say standing room only- that’s what I mean. I was pressed 1 hip to my husband, my front and back touching other people- the whole time. Needless to say I had my hand in my pocket on my wallet and the other was on my purse. We finally exited the vaporetto at a different spot from usual and took a scenic local walk through the residential area. That was neat. We saw an electronics store- run by mom and pop, a green grocer, a toy store, and Italian neighbors mingling. We also saw “Venetian blinds” we took a picture! Ha! Venetian blinds, I wonder what they call them.
We found our way home with little trouble. Opened all the windows and let the fresh air in. It was so nice out today. Warm in the sun, cool in the shade. No clouds in the sky. A strong breeze if you are in the right spot. Luke keeps saying how lucky we are with the weather. We have had no clouds not too hot not too cold. I would ideally like it maybe 5 degrees cooler. Luke likes it just where it is now. I do agree with him, we have gone on too many spring vacations where we contend with rain and cold temps.
Luke is in the process of making dinner. Tonight is Gnocci essence (they fell apart in the water) and left over pasta from last night revived with a white wine cream sauce. Our seasonal frozen vegetable will be the minestrone mix, fresh bread from the Punta store and frizzante white wine Vino Verduzzo. Luke is telling me to put the computer away for dinner- which I will do gladly. Good night!
1 comment:
Sounds like you are getting around and functioning just fine! I'd be BROKE by now after hearing about all the shops you've just "walked by". I can't just walk by! Especially in Venice! Did you get to watch them make a "leetle 'orse" at a glassblowing demonstration?
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