Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Sightseeing in the rain

Venice is a lovely city. I don't have any pictures to post because a) it was so wet today I didn't take many pics and b) I don't have my camera connection to the laptop with me. We were served breakfast in our room this morning, which was lovely. Not so lovely was the fact that it was cold and extremely wet. It was raining, but not just some drizzling weakling rain but true heavy rain. We left the hotel and headed out to St. Mark's Square. We had an umbrella from the hotel but I hadn't even brought a cardigan with me! I took my rain coat and cardigans to Madeira and didn't need them once (apart from the Sunday when it was so cold and we had left them in the hotel!) so I deliberately didn't them to Venice and boy do I need them! The square was probably very empty - for St. Mark's square - but there was a very large cue for the church. The Mater and I got totally soaked while we waited. The church was partially flooded so we had to walk over raised wooden boards. The church was magnificent. They had a treasury with some truly amazing chalices and artifacts from as far back as the 1st century (and some things even older). When we finally left the church we found the square was knee deep in water! I couldn't believe it had flooded. We waded into a side street (where it was only ankle deep) and got something to eat in a little restaurant near the hotel. I hoped the weather would clear up in the afternoon, but it continued to rain all day with only short relief from the showers. Apparently it is to continue wet for the rest of the week. It is so disappointing.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Poor travellers!! Truly unexpected and disappointing, You will have to go clothes shopping tomorrow! I suppose being on the sea or a lake or whatever, Venice has an affinity with water but didnt think you would need gondola to get to Mass! Blame Simon, he selected May!

Anonymous said...

Hi Iseult,
Thank you for your question on my blog about how to meet other writers, editors et al. I posted a response on my blog at http://writingisconversation.blogspot.com today (5/20). I'll keep my eyes open for any events I hear of that happen in the U.K.
Erica

Inkpot said...

Hi Anon. Venice is on a lagoon, so I guess it has an affinity with water all right. When we were in the plane and coming into land all I could see out the window was water with tiny bits of land dotted in it and it reminded me of the dead marshes (not a good thought). I think it helps to have a little boat to get around the city! :) We will get some raingear today and be better prepared.
To Erica - thanks for stopping by my blog and for answering my question. Best wishes Iseult

Valpot said...

It's such a shame it's so wet - I can't even imagine St mark's flooded so badly! When I went there, it was mid-September - really heavy thunderstorms at night but beautiful sunny days!

Venice is so beautiful that I'm sure even in the rain it looks good though!

Inkpot said...

Hi Valpot, it is a shame about the weather all right. Tuesday was miserable. It mightn't have been so bad if I had raingear or even a jacket but I was dressed in light summer clothes and got totally soaked. St. Mark's Square was totally flooded Tuesday and even on Wednesday when it was sunny. I suppose it was interesting to see it that way but not very enjoyable