Venice

So we went to Venice this weekend; it was quite a blast. But expensive.

42 euros there

42 euros back

31.50 to split a hotel room 4 ways.

15 euro for a tourist dinner

18 euro for a day-buspass.

14 euro for a gondala ride split 6-ways

and various other charges for brownies, knick-knacks, and stuff

Venice seems entirely dependant on the tourist trade. I did not see a single automobile while I was there; buses and taxis are all boats. We got an 18-euro 24-hour buspass which lets us use the buses as much as we want for 24-hours. they go back and forth along the Grand Canal, which was quite beautiful. But it seems like almost every shop and store there is some sort of tourist-oriented gift shop, with tons of them selling Murano glass, a Venetian-style glass that's apparently very famous.

There's apparently some sort of weird business going on between some of the store owners. Several stores have a "50% off" sale that apparently is supposed to go on all year. The things inside are still obnoxiously overpriced, though, while selling the exact same things. Other stores have these "anti-50%" posters all over that call those stores out on using unfair tactics to gain business, and say that these stores use knock-offs and stuff.

We took a Gondala ride at night. Originally, we asked some gondoliers earlier what the rate was, and they said 100 euro for 4 people. Later, one guy said he would give us "student discount" and let all 6 of us ride for 100. We decided that maybe we should've just waited until the morning, when we could see everything, so we started walking away, and then another guy came up to us with the offer of 80 euro for all 6 of us. We figured that was a good enough deal, and so we took the gondola ride. It is dark and quiet during the Venetian night. He says there's very little crime, and not much happens at night. The Grand Canal was beautiful at night. And the next morning there was definitely too much traffic for it to be as enjoyable. We were usually completely by ourselves, but the next morning there were usually 2 or 3 gondolas going at a time one after the other.

The flash hit the mist from the water.

The Piazza San Marco was great at night. We tried sitting down in the middle of the plaza but got told by the police "It's not possible." So we sat on the side and drank Bellini, this very fruity Venetian-based bubbly drink.

I also felt lame for doing the tourist menu at this restaurant, but it was the cheapest option that let us try the most foods. Eh.

Street Art