VENICE

I did not plan on it, as usual it just sort of happened! Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and close to northern Croatia. Initially I thought about taking more Italian cooking lessons like the ones in Milan, but Tiramisu was on the list again and I already had a lesson on making that.

Venice and the region are built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals; linked by about 438 bridges. These floating cities scream with romantic charm, and artistic treasures. From its iconic Grand Canal to the breathtaking Saint Mark’s Square, the region is a treasure trove of marvels.

I did not want to miss St Mark’s cathedral. I think it is more impressive than the Notre Dame in Paris. The first task of seeing this basilica was to take a water bus/ferry from the mainland where I was staying. You buy a bus/ferry ticket and wait at the ferry stop just like a bus route. If you don’t want to wait for a bus/ferry you can hail a “water taxi” ferrying around looking for rides. I did not look at ferry Ubers, but I am sure they had some.

Once departing the ferry, with several dozen others passengers and several dozen stops along the way I arrived at my destination. I walked over bridges and found my way to the basilica only to realize you could only purchase a ticket through a, “oh what do they call that, a QR code.” I could not just go up to a booth and ask for one ticket. After several attempts at trying to buy a ticket with my phone a young man helped me figure it out.

I am constantly astonished at the changes in world travel. Remember “Travelers Checks?” Today you don’t even need money of any kind to travel. Everyone takes credit cards. In fact some places say – no money, only cards. Almost every restaurant I went to had a menu on a “QR Code” and you had to order from it.

St. Marks basilica was scene after scene of biblical stories and saints all composed of tiny intricate mosaic tiles. The ceiling were stories high. I can only imagine the men who created the scenes, laying on their backs on scaffolds, cementing small tiny tiles piece after piece.

It was all breath taking. Teaming with people from all over the world all drawn to this amazing place. The square, is a testament to the Venetian ingenuity from the 9^th century. Worth visiting for longer than the 4 days I stayed.

Once again, I met an interesting couple from NYC who travel the world just to attend Zouk parties. Zouk, I learned is a dance style that combines African and Brazilian rhythms. It is always danced with a partner and has origins in the Brazilian Lambada. It highlights body movement and emotional expression. I traveled with this couple on a FLIX Bus all the way from Venice, were they partied the night before to Rijeka, Croatia where they got ready for another Zouk Party.

I was unable to attend an outing with them because the parties start at around 11 pm, past my bedtime and go on until morning.