Ahhhh, Venice!

MR and I arrived in Venice yesterday evening to find that the hotel we had booked was absolutely wonderful. The only downside is that the room we're sharing is only large enough for the two twin beds inside it. However, we aren't exactly spending our time in the room, so it has worked out well so far.

Last night we ate at the Taverno San Travaso, which must be the best and best-hidden restaurant in Venice. MR had been there on previous visits and miraculously led us straight to it - we didn't even get lost, though I admit to thinking MR had no clue what she was doing when she led me to the entrance. The restaurant is through a secret terrace-garden and the streets around it were deserted. It turned out I should have trusted her, though, because the food was amazing (Re: my Dear Justin* of last night).

After supper we wandered around the Piazza San Marco, where three groups of musicians were set up with grand pianos, violins, and various other instruments (one had an accordion!!). The piazza is huge, and in front of each of the stands with musicians playing (there were also lots of empty stands with no one set up) were tables and chairs where people sat having cappuccinos or wine (which we have resolved to do tonight after a lighter supper - last night we were too full to consider ANYTHING). We heard a fair amount of Mozart (some of which was played very well and some of which was butchered) as well as some Frank Sinatra. All in all, I decided that Venice was pretty awesome.

My opinion was fortified today. MR and I strolled through the city looking at lots of glass and mask shops; we ventured to the Rialto but decided it was too crazy to spend much time near (although right now we're back near the Rialto at an internet cafe called "Venetian N@vigator 2") and then took a semi-accidental tour of the city by boat. The plan was to take the boat up from one end of the canal to the other, but MR and I got on the wrong boat and ended up seeing the city from another angle entirely before deciding just to travel back down the canal to where we had started. Our idea was to head to the Jewish ghetto after our boat tour, but since it took so much longer we decided to go to the ghetto tomorrow - we figured things were probably more likely to be open on the non-Jewish Sabbath anyway. Thanks to SB and DI for their help with directions...I promise we'll actually use them tomorrow :/.

Ciao for now -

*By the way: Dear Justin, breakfast (free from the hotel) this morning was amazing! It was a huge buffet with eggs and sausage and all kinds of breads and fruit and cereal and juices. We got to sit outside on the hotel's terrace, which overlooks a canal. Food is awesome!