We next walked in the direction of Piazza San Marco so we could take a boat to nearby Murano. You can easily get lost among the small lanes with their twists and turns and are often unable to keep a certain church steeple in view as a guide. We followed the words "San Marco" that were spray painted onto walls with arrows indicating the way, hoping this wasn't the work of local youths who wanted to mess with tourists and lead them on a wild goose chase through town. It turns out it must have been the inexpensive work of the local tourist office, as we made it to the piazza with no problem.
Yesterday, as we made our way through Venice, I told David this city has to be the closest thing to Disneyland Europe has to offer (excluding Disneyland Paris, of course). Picturesque locations, a large crowd that drags you along with it, tourists everywhere, charming sights around every corner (yes, I find Disneyworld charming), plenty of food, shopping, shopping and more shopping. And not having any automobiles around helps give it that park-like atmosphere. I wondered aloud if Mr. Disney himself could have time traveled to the past, as da Vinci seems to have done, and set up the perfect historic amusement park.
And then what do we find as we stroll through town but a Disney Store. Surely this is proof of Mr. Disney's influence! Emilie and Rebecca were dying to go inside. "You said we could spend 20 Euros here on a souvenir and I want to buy something in the Disney Store!" argued Emilie. But we were having none of it. Even when I explained that she will be able to find the exact same merchandise in any Disney Store in the U.S. and that Venice was a once-in-a-lifetime trip and she should get an actual Venetian souvenir, Emilie was still sorely disappointed.
Walking back to Piazza San Marco via Saint Mark's Clocktower.
All thoughts of the Disney Store vanished once Emilie began looking at the souvenir wagons spread out all over the square.
One of Emilie's purchases
We went window shopping along the Procuratie, three connected buildings opposite the Basilica that house many stores. I would have been happy sitting and having a sip of that wine the waiter is serving, but so be it.
Interesting glass sculptures from Murano, a nearby island. Venice was world famous for its glassmaking, but fearing fire and destruction to the city’s mostly wooden buildings, authorities ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291.
A nice view of the square with a blue sky
Walking along the 16th century National Library of St Mark.
Leaving the piazza
Maybe we'll take a gondola ride on a future visit.
Everyone was enjoying the beautiful, sunny day.
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