idonthaveacoolname

It is nice to see the sky after a few days of overcast in Venice. The Latium countryside is beautiful and the ride was fast – 245km per hour!

We arrive shortly to nice weather 🙂

I just got on board the high speed train bound for Rome. I spent the morning at the Doge’s Palace at the insistence of the (very hot) receptionist at my hotel. I asked what her choice would be between the Doge’s Palace of St. Marks Basilica, she said Doge’s Palace, for sure. I always listen to beautiful women (call it a character flaw) so off I went. I was amazed at both the interior and the “Bridge of Sighs” (called that by Lord Byron who thought that prisoners would sigh as they were led the bridge with a tiny window to the prison.) I sighed as I walked across in homage to him.

I rushed through, cognizant of the time but as I left I realized that there was practically no line at the campanile so I went up for a birds eye view.

Thank goodness that I had already packed since I didn’t have much time to get to the train station!

I will write more when I get to Rome;I am still absorbing the Serenissima.

Yes. My days have been filled with art. I went to the Accademia and then the Guggenheim today. Wow! I essentially did a short course on western art from the 15th century to today. The Accademia was empty when I arrived but an hour wait when I left, ditto for the Peggy Guggenheim. Like I said, maybe it’s all those churches I’m praying in! So here are a bunch of paintings, a few close ups of Tintoretto’s, some Miro, Picasso, and a smattering of Pollacks (see what I did there :))

Oh… And after all of that, I ended up at a contemporary art exhibit on the far side of Dorsoduro that was quite good!

And this post is for my buddy DM who would have enjoyed this day as much as I did!

//Edit – I am over 10,000 photos thus far. Rome tomorrow!!

So my buddy SL left for his home in Switzerland today. We parted after a morning walk across the Rialto to the Frari Church. I had a big breakfast here at the hotel and several cups of coffee. The Rialto Market was fantastic as was the Frari. The aqua alta was really alta so we made our way across San Marco on the elevated cross walks, along with every tourist in Venice. Stefan wasn’t sure that we could make it to the vaparetto stop near the Ducal Palace without getting wet but I argued that there was no way that a Venetian taxpayer would allow that to happen. I was right! He did leave his crazy water moon boots behind but I have yet to get my feet wet.

After he left I knew I had to get out of the San Marco sestieri and so I headed to the Palazzo Gramani to see the Hiroshige exhibition. I first saw it many years ago in Japan and was really excited. I got there and the doors were locked. Boy was I disappointed. However, maybe due to the number of churches that I have visited in the past several weeks, I noticed that there was another door that when I tried, allowed me entrance. I was super happy! After that I went to the Gesuti church and then wandered along the waterfront back to my B&B. I’m going to out for a bite to eat and a few more night photos!

What a difference a good sleep and resting my feet has made.

It’s my buddy’s birthday so we are eating and photographing Venice!

My upgraded suite is rather decadent 🙂

Stefan and I met for a beer and wandered the streets here in Venice last night before buying a bottle of wine and catching up. His hotel is around the corner so we will meet soon and start our day. He has a walking tour all mapped out!

I woke up early this morning before Aqua alta to take some photos. Here are a few and some shots of my suite 🙂

The train ride was quite nice from Florence. We came into S.Maria station and I quickly disembarked and waded into the teeming sea of tourists. I made my way to my hotel and was disappointed that the room that I requested was unavailable due to some recent construction. The upside was that they upgraded me to a double executive suite. And boy is it suite! I will take some photos later but suffice to say that it is mahogany floor to ceiling with a marble bathroom. Quite decadent!

My friend Stefan came to meet me at St. Marks and we went for a pizza and a beer. It’s his birthday tomorrow so we are going to hang out and eat a good meal. We chatted for a while and then took a walk. The Aqua Alta was already beginning and, with a full moon and the rain, the prediction is for a few feet of water over night!

Wow! This segment of the trip was really nice! It is raining and grey in northern Italy and all of the small mountains in this region are shrouded in fog. I dozed for a bit and awoke to fellow passengers speaking Japanese. For a split second I was transported back to my younger days, traveling to the small town of Ushimado on the Seto inland sea.

Next stop, Osaka.. Er… Venice Mestre then onto Venice itself!