the italian job.

so far, i have found nothing wrong with italy. in fact, i love each city more than i have loved the one before! there is absolutely no city in the world like venice. and, considering it has sunk significantly, there may not be for long. i envision venetians building additional floors on top of their houses, just moving up levels whenever the water is creeping up too high.

when i first got off the train in venice, i was not paying any attention. my friend nudged me, and i looked up, and i saw my first venice canal. i think i must have stared for five minutes. it was so beautiful. the lack of cars, the gondolas, the bridges... it really was just like in the movies.

now, for a few downsides to the city:

1. you can find anything in venice. but you can NEVER find it again. getting lost in venice is an hourly activity that i believe may have broken up several relationships, four marriages, and three groups of friends in the short time that i was there. everyone stares at their terrible free tourist maps, no one has any idea where they are going, and you always end up right back where you started.

2. it is bloody expensive! following along in a family tradition, i sat down to have a dessert and a drink at a cafe in san marco square. the atmosphere was perfect: a 200-year old cafe, live music, and delicious treats. two glasses of wine later, my friend and i were presented with a bill for 80 euros. that's right. for four glasses of wine, and two desserts, it cost me my entire life savings! as it turns out, we were charged an inordinate amount of money just to sit down, and for the live music. who knew? apparently, forty years ago, my grandparents paid 8 euros for a single coca cola in san marco square. this is one family tradition that i hope comes to an end!

3. it resembles a theme park. now this actually depends on your point of view. i kind of liked the cheesy gondolas, men dressed in striped shirts and accordions serenading tourists for 100 euros a pop. as long as you are satisfied with pictures, and do not plan to actually partake in any of these activities, you can actually make it through a visit to venice with a few euros left in your bank account. (but not many!)

4. public transportation. it is a definite bonus that there are no cars in venice, but it is unfortunate that the boat-buses take over an hour to get from san marco square to the train station! although, time has no value in venice, so the locals don't ever seem to mind. AND, in order to speed up the process, a private taxi seems like a good idea. oh wait, but a private boat taxi from san marco square to the airport may cost you 150 euros. hmmm. one hour or 150 euros? tough choice.

5. accessibility. travelling with a child in a stroller, a wheelchair or a heavy suitcase is extremely difficult in venice. there is no way to get over the bridges! believe it or not, i actually woke up at 4 o'clock in the morning to assist my mother with her ludicrously heavy suitcase (which was mainly filled with clothes and things that i was sending home)!!

despite its drawbacks, i have no legitimate complaints about venice. for a few days, a few hours, i was able to live in the sinking city, which does not stink nearly as badly as everyone claims, has killer jewellery, feels incredibly safe at night, and offers a new adventure each time you set out to explore.