Watery (and sticky) Venice

While Switzerland was a cool 17 degrees during most days, Venice is a hot, humid, sticky 25 degrees. That's in Celsius for all of you across the pond :-) I actually don't know the actual temperature that it's been in Venice, but I do know that yesterday my knee caps were sweating. I often exaggerate, but in this case, I truly am not. The front. of my knees. were. sweating. Disgusting!!! Definitely 3 shower a day weather, which I know some of you are familiar with :-)

Anyway, while the weather has been less than comfortable, we've had a great time checking out all the ins and outs of Venice. While Ben was initially disgusted with the scores and scores of tourists and Steve was initially taken aback at the amount of graffiti that plaster's Venice's walls, it has since become quite the enjoyable haunt. Particularly enjoyable when one has multiple gelato/ice cream stops per day :-) (You gotta do something to beat the heat!)

There are incredible numbers of tourists at St. Mark's Square (see Steve in the Doge's Palace), but when we meandered away from the major tourist areas, we got to see a bit of what Venice is like to the remaining locals. (We weren't terribly afraid of being lost because, hey, it's an island. You can't get too lost! :-)) Additionally, since most tourists only come to Venice for a day and don't stay overnight, it is WAY more fun and local at night. One night we sat and listened to the various small musical ensembles playing on the piazza and watched older couples dance :-)

Last night, we decided we'd pay the extra and eat at the ultra-touristy restaurants right on the Grand Canal. It was totally worth it. Not only was the food great and the view spectacular, but since we were right on the water, there was a marvelous breeze blowing off the water that helped dry us out for the rest of the evening (which entailed more gelato :-)) And tonight we celebrated Steve's birthday...by continuing to eat good food and observe/take part in different cultures in Europe :-)