Amo Venezia

I LOVE Venice.

I LOVE Venice.

I LOVE Venice.

People often ask me which city I've liked most. Or sometimes which cities. Buenos Aires, obviously. Budapest. While other cities I've enjoyed, there haven't been any cities other than these two that really struck something deep within me.

However, that was until today...

The Italians love beautiful things, and it seems the Venetians most of all. I've been to Rome before, and enjoyed it (except for the lack of trees or other greenery inside the city). I've been to Cinque Terre and enjoyed the beach. However, I was completely unprepared for Venice.

I love that there are precious few cars inside Venice. Basically, you can only find them on the very outskirts, by the bus station, as absolutely no cars are allowed within the city (as if they could drive over water or through the mostly tiny passageways..). I love that the best way to get from one place to another is the vaporettos (water buses). If I could afford it, I would ride in a gondola and be all super touristy and get the punter to sing for me. I love that many buildings are all sorts of vivid, muted colors. As a walker, I love that this is a walking city. There is no way to see this city well, unless you walk. And walk. And then walk some more. Though, if you have problems walking (injuries or if you can't walk), then this is not the city for you, as any walking involves walking up steps to cross the endless bridges that connect this city together. I love that there is art everywhere -- from sculptures on building facades, in shops and great museum collections. The art is more than that, yet it is difficult to explain. It is as if the art and beauty are just *infused* in to every single thing here.

I want to learn to speak Italian and live here.

I haven't even made it to Florence or Milan yet.

I'm sorry Buenos Aires, but I think you've been usurped as the place I want to be most of all... Lo siento muchissimo!!!

And much as I'd love to go dancing tonight, 1. My guidebook says that there really aren't any good discos here, and 2. I want to wake up early and visit museums tomorrow and walk even more and take more boat rides up and down the Grand Canal and just walk around even more.

Oh, and I know I'm going to blow my budget here... I've already bought a gorgeous Murano glass necklace (from a street vendor, though, so it wasn't terribly expensive), and I've seen other bits of jewelry and small glass bits [that I think I can carry safely without breaking] that I would love to have.

I haven't even started to look in the clothing shops...

I may have to detour in to Slovenia so that I can live incredibly cheaply for a week, to recover financially from what Italy is going to do to my finances.

Though, I may very well just throw caution to the wind and break out the Mastercard...

I LOVE Venice.

I LOVE Venice.

Amo Venezia.