March 24, 2013-Chao!!
We braved the rain storm, which continued in to today and went on our way to Piazza San Marco, this time, without breakfast.
We made our way to the San Marco Basilica just in time for mass for Palm Sunday. Perfect timing! We were handed our palms and walked around until we could find a good place to see the alter. The Bishop was giving the mass and the basilica was absolutely astonishing, so pretty! Because we were in Venice, the mass was in Italian, naturally. By this time we were fluent, you know, but he was speaking a little "too fast" for us to be able to understand it ;)
When mass was finished we went back out in to the pouring rain and in to the square and went to the top of the campanile tower to get a beautiful panoramic view of Venice.
As we were just about to get in to the elevator to go to the top there was a sign that said "Warning: cold and windy." Alright, we thought, no big deal, we've been through that before.... or so we thought. We got to the top and walked out of the elevator and were frozen solid! Our fingers could barely move to take the pictures, not to mention, the bells, which could be heard throughout all of Venice, were 5 minutes from ringing right next to us in the tower. We scurried around and took as many pictures as possible and then quickly got back in the elevator and down to the bottom. It was worth it, and we didn't even lose our hearing!
As my Spanish teacher told me many times "you must drink cappuccino in Piazza San Marco." Alright Alright Midea (Me-day-ah) since we were freezing cold, I think a cappuccino in Piazza San Marco was exactly what we deserved. We found a cafe and got out of the rain to sit at the bar for a cappuccino..... Which began my addiction to cappuccino in Italy. Amanda had ordered hot chocolate, only to recieve, literally, a cup of hot melted chocolate. Then, we found another cafe with a heater and we sat down at an empty table and ate my left over heavenly calzone from the night before.
After we were full and feeling warm and fuzzy, we adventured to the Museo di San Marco, the museum on top of the basilica. We walked through the museum looking at old bibles that used to be used, old candlesticks, old priest vestments, etc. From the museum you could see the whole basilica and the ceiling was lit up so you could see all the pretty gold tiles.
By the time we were done with everything, it was pouring rain and getting late. We were hungry and even though I had an umbrella, soaking wet. We walked to the nearest vaporetto dock, but I saw a huge cathedral on the other side of the canal that looked beautiful. We HAD to go over there. So, we got on the vaporetto, got off at the next stop, which was right in front of the cathedral, walked around and took pictures for about 5 minutes and then got right back on the vaporetto and back home.
Because it was pouring rain and very chilly, there weren't many people out and about, which was nice. Of course there were still come gondola's out and about with crazy people with umbrellas riding along, but for the most part, it was pretty quiet. As we got off the vaporetto and were on our way home, the outside market was open so we stopped for banana chips and dried fruit this time. I couldn't feel my hands or feet, but the banana chips sure did taste good after a long day.
As we were walking home we noticed that the canal was starting to overflow into the streets, what a disaster! There's going to be a flood!
For dinner we stayed close to the hotel and ate Chinese food. I had almond chicken with rice and SOY SAUCE (something my roommate nor I can find in Barca). For dessert we had some kind of white and dark truffle ice cream. So good!
When we got home, there was our friend, waiting for us, peaking outside the restaurant, welcoming us with a big smile.
Day 3: a cup of cappuccino
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