9:30 a.m.
Start wandering around Venice. Jason has map, but we decide not to use it! We are on an island, and technically, we can’t ever walk too far. Decide to walk away from filthy tourist area in San Marco.
On the way, we walked past an amusing book store, entitled "The Most Beautiful Bookshop in the World", which it wasn’t , but it was lovely because it seemed like a small piece of Brunswick street in the middle of Venice, hence it was a bit familiar.
Walked North to Campo Maria Formosa which is a square surrounded by incredible buildings, filled with pigeons and people with dogs. Bells started ringing at 9:45 am, and then more people appeared and shops started opening. It is Sunday, so the bells may have some church significance, or, could just be the wake up call.
Found a gorgeous little shop, in Campo Di San Marina, just opening up, run by a lovely old gent. Decided to buy some great Venetian souvenirs. Super prices!
J Moved on to Campo Maria Nova found a newsagent and bought post cards and an awesome book (E) entitled 1000 glass beads... Jason enjoyed waiting whilst Erin took a photo on every corner… J
Got a little bit lost at this point and was forced to consult a map in an effort to find our way to un Mercarto. Turned South to find the Ponte Rialto (aka big bridge), which is lined with shops and packed with more tourists than a pomegranate is full of pips. Fought our way through the crows, fought the temptation to buy cheap t-shirts and junky masks… Erin bought a lovely scarf (red of course) and we moved on to some small "streets" which has great shops but no bakeries! However, we did find a pizzeria which sold us two slabs of pizza and a bottle of water for €8 euros…good value!
We continued to wander through gorgeous, narrow streets with our pizza making all others jealous. Went to the Campo Di San Polo where Erin found great bead shop (though didn’t buy anything as are going to Murano tomorrow –strict no glass buying policy until then).
In another equally narrow and beautiful street, found a shop run by a small time bead maker who also sold stunning metal work jewellery. Erin fell in love with a Necklace and Earring set in brass and copper and decided to buy them both- added another set of earrings to the bundle and the lovely shop keeper (who didn’t speak any English) knocked €6 off the price.. still cost €100 all up though…
Still trying to find the Ca’Macana mask shop (as recommended in the lonely planet guide), we stumbled through the University district and found a Supermercarto in Rio Terra Canal. Bought mandarins (clementines), apples (?) and iced tea off the shelves, and Erin braved the brusque deli-man to buy some bread and cheeses in very broken Italian… Mezza Pane (1/2 bread), Questa Formaggio Duo-Centi grami… Frightening stuff, but successfully purchased all goods!
Finally found the Ca’Macana mask showroom and found a delightful shop assistant who approached us in English! Yay!! Unfortunately none of the masks were inspiring, but they directed us to their second show room where we found two awesome masks and left as happy customers!
During our adventure, we passed a dodgy looking fella (a black man) who was hawking handbags on the street in the Campo Della Chiesa… He addressed Erin as "Pretty Lady" and said repeatedly "Pretty Lady Information! Information!"
We continued wandering lazily through streets and stopped at a patisserie where we asked "Parle Englesee?" Jason bought strawberry liquorice filled with nougat and Erin bought Chocolate and Hazelnut Nougat for €10… bit steep, but totally delicious.
We then saw the same dodgy street seller and his co-criminals hawking their wares on the Ponte Dell’Accademia as we crossed back into San Marco from Dosoduro.
Subsequently we set up the video camera in the Campo Santo Stefano in order to take some long term footage… During the filming, the local Polizia came tearing through the square, chasing said criminals clutching their clearly stolen or just plain dodgy wares. Probably 5 minutes later, the polizia returned with two sacks of ill-gotten-goods, presumably confiscated.
JThe call of nature was screaming loudly to both of us by this time, so we had to leg it back to Piazza San Marco where we found preparations well underway for the New Years Festivities tomorrow night. By this time it was 4:30 and we briskly trotted back to the Locanda Canal to use our blissfully free toilets. (not €1 per tinkle!)
It is now 5:15 pm, and after collating the day’s adventures we are now resting, becoming ready to hit the streets again to hunt down our dinner.
Hope you're all well - we will try to provide regular updates, but no guarantees!
Love to you all & enjoy the photos!
Erin & Jason
