Images of Venice

May 19, 2014

Everyone has seen pictures of Venice, so I thought I would post a few that the travel magazines don't include.

Too Much Luggage

A common sight in Venice is people with way too much luggage.  I don't know how they get their luggage up and down the cobblestone paths and up and over steps on the bridges.  I brought ONE carry-on bag.  Not only did I save luggage fees, but my baggage ended up in Venice with me.  I would never have made my connection at JFK if I had to collect my luggage and then re-check it.

I don't know how this poor woman is going anywhere with her three bags.

Beggars

Begging must be a Monday-Friday job - we didn't see any over the weekend.

This beggar woman ran away when I tried to take her picture, but there is more to the story.  While we were in line to see the Doge's Palace, this woman came up to us all hunched up and crippled-looking, asking for money.  My husband poked me and said, "I need to tell you more about that woman."

Earlier, he had seen the woman stroll by at a good clip with no sign of a disability.  She then started to get into character, by putting on her ragged scarf and walking hunched over.

Two hours later when we came out of the Palace's back door, there she was again.  At lightning pace, she fled from my attempted photo.

Gondola Traffic Jam

I thought for sure I couldn't go to Venice without taking a gondola ride, even if it was a little expensive.  From what I've seen, it doesn't look romantic or fun.  I'll do without.

Tomorrow we're off to Slovenia.