We took the "bus" (turned out to be a passenger
van) to "Venice (turned out to be Mestre). Our first steps onto Italian
soil were into a fist fight breaking out at the bus stop. We found wifi for
advice about Venice/Mestre, which was "Whatever you do, do not get off at Mestre."
So, we boarded a 10-minute train to actual Venice. (Trains are easy here; just
learn the Italian name for your city and validate your ticket in the little
machine before you board.)
We spent a few hours in Venice. It was packed and stuff was
expensive. The canals were riddled with gondolas. While sitting at a cafe, a
group of Hash House Harriers (a self-declared drinking club with a running
problem) paraded through, singing and apparently ready to start/continue
drinking. For 7 Euros a person we could
have ridden a boat taxi back to the train but we opted to walk and see more of
the city.
On Monday, lines for the cathedral were exhausting so
instead we explored the city, including a pit stop at a well reviewed gelato
place, La Carraia. The line was nearly as long. The day's menu also included
Jason getting a lampredotto panino at Trippaio di San Frediano. He spotted one when we first arrived. That is
cow stomach, in case you are curious and eww is right. (ok, it isn't
that bad. Just tasted like a sandwich to me.)
On Tuesday, we took a train to Cinque Terre, a collection of
five coastal villages built on steep cliffs. Unfortunately, the main coastal
trail was closed so we could only hike to the second city before catching the
train to the rest. It was 2.4 Euro per ticket per person or you can buy one
ticket to all the cities. It was the best hike and the best view yet. I wish we
had more time to hike between all of the cities. (More trails are open but took
3+ hours.) Below are several shots from the afternoon (before the rain set in).
Next up, climbing the duomo!
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| alternative transportation! |
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