Venice is a water-city, so there are no cars, meaning it's only accessible by boat! It was definitely a very different experience.
Once we got to our hotel we had about an hour to settle in a relax before meeting up for a walking tour of the city. From there, we split off for dinner and the evening. I went with a large group (I think there were 10 of us) to a resaraunt for dinner, where I had some delicious Spaghetti Carbonara. After dinner, it was almost 10, so we headed back to the hotel to relax and sleep for the night.
Saturday, we all were up for breakfast (provided by the hotel) before meeting together around 9 to go see some art. We went first to the church, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, to see artwork by Bellini and Titian. We then went next door to the Scuola Grande di San Rocco to see works by Tintoretto. All of the works, and the spaces where they're located, were so beautiful it was almost overwhelming at times. Especially the works by Tintoretto, because the rooms are literally covered in his paintings: every inch of wall and ceiling.
After we saw all the art it was just about noon, and we had the afternoon free to explore. Most people had specific things they had in mind to do, mainly shopping for souvenirs, but I didn't really so I spent the time wandering and exploring the city with Lexi, Louise, and Julia.
The entire group met up around 4:30 to head back to the water-taxi which took us back to the mainland where we boarded the bus and headed back to Florence. I didn't get to ride on a gondolla as I had been looking forward to, but it was way too expensive, and by the time we got there Friday the sun was heading down and Saturday it rained off and on...
Today (Sunday) almost all of us met up around noon to go to a Fiorentina soccer match. It was such a good time, and the atmosphere was incredible. I've been to a Celtics game, a rained-out Red Sox game, and many minor league baseball and hockey games (as well as college and high school games) but European soccer fans are die-hard and really get into the game. It ended up being a beautiful day - even though there had been rain/thunderstorms in the forecast - and much fun was had by all!
Tomorrow begins my second-to-last week of classes, and in Florence, and last I checked it's supposed to rain...perfect weather to get some work done, and get ready for finals etc. next week.
Tuesday we're all doing another cooking class where we get to learn how to make pizza and gelato! And Wednesday we're heading up to Fiesole for dinner and "awards" to celebrate the end of the calcio "season."
Thursday is a holiday; so Lexi, Max, Sam D, and I are heading to Trapanni, Sicily for the long weekend. We fly out of Pisa around 6:30am Thursday, and we should get back to Florence around midnight Sunday into Monday.
I've got less than 2 weeks here, and in that time I've got to start, finish, and present a group presentation for Art History; review, study, and take 2 finals: Art History and Italian; spend 4 relaxing days on/near the beach in Sicily; and PACK. Needless to say it will be a jam-packed 12 days, but I know it will be amazing and a perfect way to end my 3-month adventure.
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