I awoke at an ungodly hour 3.39am after having gone to bed near midnight, so decided to get organized for the day, however I was thwarted by the lack of washing powder so my housewifely tasks were pipped at the post! I reviewed and finished yesterday's blog and just lay on the sofa listening to early rising birds singing. I must've dozed off as I awoke at 7.30 am again and prised Eric out of bed. My tactic " Honey,surely you are desperate to smoke, and while you're doing that please buy yourself a small milk and me some washing powder!"
Please don't be mistaken I'm totally against him smoking but normally waking him is such a tedious task so I had to be devious. Off he went in his double plugged ( thongs - australian footwear) at 6 degrees, I watched him from our little patio which rather than housing little chairs to match the little table is devoted entirely to the recycling system. Apart from watching my marito I also watched a seafood vendor set up his mobile business beneath me. Once set up he started frying calamari fritto! I wish we had time to eat some!
Eric came back empty handed with hypothermia of the feet. The only place open so far were a cafe, the fishmonger and the necessary tobacconist. There is a huge smoking culture here and you see them everywhere. Milk - not important, Tabac - necessity! We got ready for our big day out with Franco, Patrizia's fidizante (boyfriend ) who had been tasked with looking after her piccolo cugino, as both her and Joey ad work. Franco was an extremely warm man who immediately made us feel welcome, he led us briskly to the station , a mere 4 minute walk under the overpass.
Franco went to buy the tickets and we waited for him on platform 6, we felt very reassured not aving to think. The train was already chokkers but he led us through the carriagesuntil we reached one with enough seats to accomodate us. Rude students had sprawled themselves across the seats on this carriage, they had no intention of moving although there were 10 adults standing. However they couldn't refuse Franco's request to move. To show her distaste the young lass (approx 15) put her legs either side of my body. I ignored her and put my feet on her bag, all the while gazing out the window. She withdrew her legs I withdrew my feet - truce!
Disembarking off the train was a seamless matter and we headed out of the station to be greeted by the most exquisite view of The Grand Canal. But first things first, man can not live on love alone.
Breakfast was on our agenda as we hadn't been able to find any milk nearby so we were 'forced' to have it in the first campo we came across which was San Geremi I think ???? Venice has 100 churches - hence 100 campos. Because we were on an Island they aren't called piazzas except for San Marcos Piazza.
The origin of words was discussed in length as our adopted cousin who is our daytrip companion is a doctor of linguistics and theology who is also an author of many history books on this area. He lectures at various universities in Europe. We were incredibly lucky to have this human fountain of knowledge by our side.
Photos were taken on the bridge over the Grand canal, and we were so excited just to see our first ever gondola (we didn't need a ride just to be here, taking it all in was enough!) We saw the first ghetto in the world and the place where the word originated. Just on the left of the first bridge over the Grand Canal if you are exiting the railway station. It was an area which is the Jewish section of town and referred to the fire pits the original immigrants warmed themselves with.
Brisk walking was a must as we had so much to see. Plus Franco is a very fast walker and great at jostling to the front in any queue. Poor Eric had to run to catch up whenever he rolled a ciggy. Franco pointed out the wells in each campo - the vera da potso, centuries ago this is where the Venetians got their fresh water. There was also a spigot for the spring which filled the well in each campo so we were able to fill our water bottles.
A pit stop for sustenance was in order after several hours of sightseeing and we went to a trattoria with a stunning view of the mare ( sea). An aperitif - an aperol spritz took our fancy ( my sister Lin had introduced them to us when she came back from Italy ) somehow it tasted better with this view!
The obligatory photos on the Rialto Bridge were next. Unfortunately Franco put his stuff down on the bridge when he took our photo and although we looked for it when he realised later, we never found it. And to make it worse ( something about which we teased him mercilessly) Eric's head was choppped off in each photo!!!
San Marco Piazza was as mind blowing as everyone told us it would be. The Frescos were stunning. The crowds were huge so we decided that this would be left on our bucket list til 2019 when we return. The line was sparse at The Palazzo di Doges so we went in.
I in my complete ignorance had no idea that this is where the Scala di Ora (golden staircase) was. For those who haven't been here it is
Unimaginable but there are more stunning ceilings here than in Versailles !!! I now, a cultural snob , recognized the Veronese paintings, Franco was impressed!
We went to look at the Prigioni and walked through the Bridge of Sighs, we ended up in out of bound areas with guards greeting Franco delightedly. A convoluted trek was made to the bookshop and we purchased a tome on the Palace.
In appreciation for his company we bought Franco a copy too (I think he is going to check it for erroneous information )
Exhausted after this adventure we stopped for a late lunch with sea vistas again in a pish posh restaurant with pish posh prices to match. I treated the menfolk and we dashed off to catch the ferry to the islands. We were able to get outdoor seats at the front of the ferry it was rather fresh but I sacrificed comfort to take in the view while inhaling sea breezes!
We did not arrive in Murano until 430pm so we unfortunately missed out on the glass blowing demonstration. However we had a lovely afternoon exploring the picturesque island. We had intended to visit Burano as well but it was cancelled due to time constraints.
Luckily the vaparetto dropped us off at the railway station and after a baba ( rum soaked cake) and a pelligrino we took the 30 minute train ride back to Treviso. Franco had been in continual phone contact with Patrizia and had been given strict instructions to deliver us to her house for dinner. We grabbed a traditional alcohol soaked cake for dessert at a bakery along the way.
Prior to leaving Paris I had purchased a tote bag each for Patrizia and her daughters because which girl young or old doesn't love Paris? We came just in time because Franco had to go and collect the pizza.
Dinner was a gigantic 1 and a half Metre pizza divided into sections which each section having different toppings . Unfortunately both the girls had to go to work so I was glade we got to meet them.
Limoncello and dessert came after the pizza experience. I really had to be devious with my eating because if your plate was empty a huge slab was pushed on to it. The homemade Limoncello was great and i had the smallest bit with the very sweet alcohol drenched dessert. Oh how I wished it was Tiramisu!
Franco kindly dropped us home, I was rapidly fading and could fully understand how peoples heads fall into their food. I was asleep on the car ride home. Exhaustedly i clambered up the staircase at home. It was midnight, and I'm no Cinderella, I'm half a century and needed to get some shut eye! What a fabulous day!
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