Friday: 15 of us took the Eurostar from Florence to Venice. The weather the whole weekend was clear skies. Considering Arezzo is usually cloudy and rainy, this was a nice change. The minute we stepped out of the train station there was a ton of music and people all around buying masks, getting their faces painted, children running around in princess costumes, the whole shebang. It was Halloween all over again minus the whole ghost witch thing...sorta.
Then there's the hostel experience. I have never stayed in a hostel before, so this was definitely an experience. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't a five star hotel either. I really had no idea what to expect. The hostel dude had the most interesting beard I have ever seen, and was super laid back about everything. We met a bunch of people from all around the US, Canada, France, and Brazil.
We decided to venture out and buy masks. I spent 32 Euro on mine but it's so worth it. It's basically my favorite and will be wall decor in my future house in Norman. Partying in Venice is ridiculous. They are all street parties. You just find a random piazza and there is sure to be music, dancing, and a lot of Americans. I felt there were more Americans and other nationalities than Italians. I couldn't even describe how fun it was. It was definitely a highlight in life. A few of us decided to venture (get lost) to San Marco. The piazza was beautiful. It was completely empty but everything was lit up. I can't really believe how old some things are. My freaking apartment is 300 years older than the birth of our nation!
Saturday: Woke up, had the experience of getting in line and waiting for a shower, and then got ready to venture the town again. That day, we went to Murano to experience the art of glass making. Those people have skills! It's crazy what they can do with glass, without screwing up. I thought he was going to make a giraffe and I was super excited, but he made a horse instead. Oh well, it was still pretty sweet. We got back to Venice and I did the touristy gondola ride. It was worth the money. We took the ride during the sunset and it was the most beautiful thing ever. It was probably one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen.
Ok let me start this Saturday night recap by saying: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS PIAZZA DELLA SAN MARGHERITA. We walked a total of three hours around the whole island and could not find it for the life of us. This is officially a game for American students that Italians love to play. A few of us gave up and went back and everyone else at the hostel just got back from San Margherita. The frustration from us was priceless.
Sunday: Woke up and went to San Marco and did the whole museum shebang. The balcony from San Marco has the best view of the Piazza and the water. Feel free to look at facebook. A few of us wandered away and thought we were in the direction of the hostel. We ended up in a residential setting with an hour to get to the train station. An hour turned into thirty minutes and we had no idea where we were, and I had all the tickets for everyone. I don't know how many times I said "Dove la stazione di treno?" and "Permesso!!" <---"Excuse me, but kind of ruder than scusi." We finally found the hostel, ran upstairs, got our stuff and the hostel dude looked at us and said, "You guys aren't going to make it." I was like "watch me" and hauled ass out the door. I definitely hauled from the hostel to the station with twenty minutes to spare, and that walk is usually 30 minutes. I pushed small children, knocked a drink out of someone's hand, and saw a side of me I've never seen before. But we made it with ten minutes to spare, thank the lord. Venice was so crazy and so fun and I was so excited that I was there for Carnevale.
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