Being in Venice

A goodly chunk of yesterday was spent in visiting the local Western Union and returning sans cash. Apparently extensive discussions were going on in Canada about how and where to deliver both cash and a temporary card to me. A resolution and a plan was put together by about suppertime and I returned from yet one more foray enriched by 986 euros in cash. Why this strange amount you find yourself asking? In Italy 999E is the maximum that can be sent in a day – plus, they took a little off the top for services at this end. I was extremely happy for my 986. My landlady will also be very happy to receive her 425E when she returns today from some place unknown. Her daughter was here last night and graciously accepted my offering, giving me a receipt. Nothing like the payment of debts to put the mind at ease and to release the spirit for more pleasant employ!

Billy and I did get out for a significant ramble, despite this background concern. We took a long and circuitous route from our place close to the station over to the Piazza San Marco. The entire square was covered in humans – standing, sitting, walking about, and lining up for the entrance to the Basilica. There was no room for the poor pigeons who usually have pride of place. Billie and I entered the church backwards in order to gently avoid the crowds. That is, we went into the little store at the exit, perused that area briefly and then quietly “re-entered” the church, joining the throng making its way about the enormous perimeter. Off to one side is a chapel wherein one can sit or kneel for prayer. We took two seats close to the front and sat together taking in the grandeur of the Basilica's ancient beauty. I asked Billie how much she knew about the Christian story. Not too much, she avowed. This is despite her having grandparents who are a former priest and a former religious sister! I’ll tell you all about it sometime, I promised. Why not now, she said. This is the perfect place. And so we huddled and I quietly told her both the story and also my understanding of how the story began and was later elaborated. A fine little moment of Nana/kid communication. Anyone wanting to form her youthful mind in another direction ought to get to her fairly quickly. She is a smarty-pants and a fast learner.

Having “done” the Basilica, as the perennial tourist might say, we walked through the adjacent piazzetta to look at the former Doges’ palace, and hence out to the broad quay overlooking the Grand Canal. Such a breath-taking vista. Wow. It gets me every time. We stayed briefly and then headed back to our little pied-a-terre. A further circuitous journey ensued, several false paths, several requests for directions, and finally – the by now familiar territory was in sight. We had walked about 12K in all with just a smidge of gelato and a tiny sandwich to sustain us. At the res we settled in for a period of rest and some snacks. Later, when I got the bundle of cash we went out to celebrate, purchasing sandwiches and drinks at the very pleasant and inexpensive take-out/eat-in spot in the station. I'm always the big spender!

I was able to follow the Jays second victorious game against Texas last night via the mlb.com game-day facility. Billie was happy with her u-tube watching and we spent a happy and quiet evening chez nous. Today we’ll be out and about, I think visiting the museum in the Arsinale. This significantly large spot along the quay past San Marco is where the Venetians literally mass-produced their sea-faring vessels, the navy that made them masters of much of the eastern Mediterranean and wealthy traders for centuries. Theo and I spent a couple of hours there seven years ago during our visit. It was one of his favorite places, even if his 11-year old potty humour put him into gales of laughter whenever the name “Arsinale” (emphasis on the Ars part) was mentioned.

So there we are. Billie told me yesterday that she had loved Paris and thought of how she wants to return there when she is older with some friends. Now she says, she loves Venice at least as much: it is so interesting and so quiet without cars; one can just ramble forever. Yes, it is like that. One must always return once having given up your heart to these places.