Carnivale di Venezia

I just got back today from a weekend in Venice! We went for the Carnivale, which is basically a big celebration, kind of similar to Mardi Gras, and this was the last weekend before it ended.

It was a little over a 3 hour train ride from Rome, which isn't as bad as it sounds. And the train was pretty comfortable. Way better than the seats on a plane. It was nice to get out of the busy city, and the ride through the green countryside was beautiful.

We arrived around 8 at night, so it was hard to tell exactly where we were to get to where we were staying. It took maybe half an hour to actually find, because the streets there are so confusing! I thought Rome was confusing, this does not even compare. But the city was pretty at night, and very calm.

There was a DJ playing in one of the piazzas. It was interesting, to say the least. First of all, I had no clue what the heck he was saying, but everyone seemed to like it. There were some interesting song choices, some American songs, but he would play if for 10 seconds, and then start yelling something. I don't think he ever played an entire song. Some people were going pretty crazy. I'll admit I was slightly terrified.

The next day we got to explore the city in the daylight. Luckily the sun was out, but it was freezing!!! Where we stayed was about a 30 minute walk to San Marcos Piazza, which is kind of the center. The city is a lot bigger than I imagined. With the canals everywhere, there are a TON of bridges. And there are no cars where I visited. Everyone seems to travel by boat. There is even a water taxi.

I kind of relate this whole Carnivale thing to Halloween, because so many people were dressed up! So it's like a long-lasting Halloween. Some get really in to in with their costumes and masks. They just kind of wander around and pose for people to take pictures of them. There were some interesting ones, and some normal-type costumes. Some little girls were Disney princesses, I saw a Spiderman, and even entire families get all dressed up together. It was pretty cool.

St. Mark's Basilica was in the San Marcos Piazza, and it is a gorgeous church! It's huge, first of all, and the inside was just incredible. Almost the entire walls and ceilings were filled with gold tiling and mosaics. I am always amazed by every church I go in to, and the detail that went in to building all of them just seems ridiculous.

The outside of St. Mark's

I also got to go on a Gondola ride!! It was really exciting. I'm lucky my first Gondola ride wasn't just at the Venetian, but actually in Venice! I was a little afraid it was going to tip over, but I survived. It was even colder being on the water, but  it was gorgeous!

All of the Gondola men (if that's what you call men who row gondolas) were even wearing striped shirts and the hat, just like you would assume. Unfortunately he didn't sing for us, but his humming could count right?
It was just an awesome experience.

Gondola Man!

And I got a mask!! I was determined to get one, and they were everywhere! There were some really elaborate ones and some strange animal ones. It was hard to choose, and some were pretty pricey. I went for the cheaper ones, so I am satisfied. But the expensive ones were so pretty!

Masks...

....and more masks!

And my mask!

I'm glad I got to see Venice, because it is so different! I'm so lucky to be able to do this, and I can't wait to share more adventures!