Venezia

So. Overall, my experience in Prague was a good one, but a very eye-opening and abraisive one. The lack of language skills was hard to work with, and left me feeling somewhat isolated from the rest of the people living and working there. I was never met with downright rudeness (reference Dublin post...haha), but people were not as eager to attempt to communicate using other means, as has been my personal experience in many Spanish-speaking countries/Italy.

I loved the hostel and we ate great food, but I was also somewhat confused about what "Czech culture" actually was. Oh, well. I am glad I went but probably will not be running back there anytime soon.

Moving on speedily to Venice, my new favorite place of all time. When Eugenie and I landed in the Venice airport, I naievely thought that I would immediately be transported to the Grand Canal and gondolas. I was mistaken. I only saw dirty, industrial warehouses and huge pipes with black smoke issuing from them. Disappointing. However, after an hour bus ride to the main bus station, some confusion as to how to get to our hostel/camping ground, another bus to the other airport, another bus to the hostel, checking into our hostel, realizing it was a trailer with two beds and a miniscule shower, and two buses BACK to the bus station, we walked ten feet to the left and saw before us the exact image that I had been expecting and unknowingly yearning for.

The Grand Canal. Venice itself. I can't even explain how beautiful it all is. And its not only the physical beauty of the place, but the overall laid back atmosphere. The gorgeous people with their gorgeous leather jackets and sexy, dark hair. The greenish blue tint of the water. The sense of community among everyone, the tourists AND the local Venetians. Even the homeless people looked happier and the street vendors were more cheerful. I swear.

At first, we just walked along the canal, taking it all in. But, it was not more than five minutes before I literally ran into one of my friend from home, Erin, who is studying in Madrid and was in Italy for break. It was so random that we saw each other and so great to see a friendly face.

After that we made a beeline for the first italian restaurant on the water. I got lasagne and Eugenie got gnocchi and they were both the best thing we had ever tasted. Literally melt in your mouth. We also had our first wine, which was delish.

We then deliberated if we were going to walk along the canal to San Marco plaza or if we were going to take a vaporetto aka the water bus.