June 18 is my birthday. June 18, 2010 was one of the best days of my life. We got up bright and early that day, leaving Hotel Patrizia at around 7:00 am for our 3-hour charter bus ride to the Venice ferry. Most people slept on the way there, and while I dozed a bit, the ride was just too beautiful to sleep through. Once we arrived, we disembarked, bathroom breaked, and headed for the ferry. The ferry ride to Venice itself takes about 15 minutes, and it’s a nice way to start off the trip. We encircled Venice, an exciting and surreal experience. As we docked near San Marco, the main piazza of Venice, everyone exited the small ferry and walked into the sunlight. The sun was sparkling in the water, and people were everywhere.
That was around 11:00 am, and our first endeavor was a gondola ride. Joe, Alyssa, Nicki, Julie, and myself began our search, keeping in mind Nuria’s warning that we should never pay more than 80 euros for our ride total. The first guy said his ride was 120 euros and that we wouldn’t find anything the cheaper. Further down we heard the same thing about a 100 euro ride, and we finally came to a group who offered to take the five of us out for 80 euros total. Sold. Our ride was only about 20 minutes long, and our red-and-white-striped driver did not sing to us, but it was a relaxing, peaceful ride through the quiet side of Venice. We went down canals that were nearly empty, and this contrasted sharply with the hasty and crowded atmosphere of San Marco.
Once done, Alyssa, Joe, and I parted ways with Nicki and Julie, and we began our search for a suitable restaurant for my 20th birthday meal! One thing you learn quickly about Venice is that the sidewalks (which are the only places to walk since there are only canals to get from place to place) are confusing and labyrinthine. Paolo and Nuria told us that if we got lost, we should look for signs that point toward San Marco; more on that later. Anyway, we finally found a restaurant not too far from San Marco. It was a cute little place right on a corner, and the waiter that took care of us was very friendly. For lunch, I got pork medallions with a side of freshly skewered vegetables. It was amazing! And of course, chocolate cake for my birthday dessert. I couldn’t have picked better company to celebrate my birthday with!
After that, we decided that we’d roam Venice a little more, but we were on a tight schedule. We only had a couple hours left before we had to meet our group back in San Marco Square, but there was still so much to explore. As those who know me can attest to, I’m a natural-born planner. Not to say that I can’t appreciate spontaneity, but even spontaneity has room for organization. Thus, roaming the streets of Venice is a romantic idea to many but, admittedly, a stressful quest for me. This is when Paolo and Nuria’s advice began echoing in my head. Alyssa and I eventually parted ways with the more ambitious, more free-spirited Joe, and us two girls began the search for San Marco.
We looked everywhere for signs of San Marco and even crossed paths with some people from our group, but as the sidewalks became more and more crowded and less and less familiar, a feeling of panic began setting in. Then, as we were breathlessly navigating another of the endless sidewalks, we noticed a paper note on a wall that simply said “San Marco” with an arrow pointing right. We decided to trust this questionable oracle, and after that first right turn, other signs became visible. We followed each one and, on our last turn, walked through a dark and cramped tunnel back into the sunlight of San Marco. It was a strange experience! We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping in places around San Marco Square, and that proved to be extremely (perhaps, excessively) fruitful.
We met our group back at the appointed time and place, and as our ferry docked on what seemed to be too soon a trip back to Florence, we watched Venice become diminish into the distance. For only getting less than one whole day in this mysterious city, I’m happy with and thankful for my experience there. I spent it with great people, and I saw and did as much as I could. I’m more than satisfied with my Venetian excursion.
