Thanksgiving in Venice

Celebrating an American Holiday in a foreign place is kind of an odd experience. It's more like a birthday--- you're in a celebratory mood but no one else has any idea. So what does one do? Well, if you're in Venice and it's a beautiful day, you sight-see. Such was the case for us, so the six of us left our Venice canal apartment and ventured out.

Venezia Day 1

Cue the Santa Lucia:

Ahhh Venice. I had looked forward to seeing Venice for a long time, but somehow over the course of the trip my excitement waned. I wondered "How could it compare to all the other incredible sights I've seen." But as Jacob's parents, Jacob, and I stepped out of the train station, into a bustling water-metropolis, the sun shining brightly, I was stunned.

Florence

We left Rome just as we had arrived there: under umbrellas, stomping through puddles in poorly drained streets, and avoiding umbrella salesmen. The four of us were on our way to Venice to meet my parents for Thanksgiving. It's a long stretch so we thought we'd make the most of it and spend a day/night in Florence. And we arrived to a very beautiful, clear, rain-free day!

Roman Holiday

When you have just a few days in Rome, you cram in trips to as many impressive landmarks and ruins as you can. And that's what we did.

We walked the ruins of The Forum, still being excavated to this day.

First night in Rome

The rain picked up just in time for us to find our apartment, found through VRBO. What we did know was that it was across the street from the Colosseum. What we didn’t have was a map. We found the Colosseum, no problem. Just go to the “Coloseo” stop on the underground metro, duh.
It wasn’t hard, even in the rain, to be awed by the sight of the massive Colosseum. Even in the excitement and hurried business of things, there was a moment in the rain where we all stopped and gazed at it.
Then it was back to the matter at hand: Where’s the place we’re sleeping tonight. We could have succumbed and purchased a map of Rome from one of the many vendors outside the Metro station, and as I write this, I don’t know why we didn’t. But we didn’t.
After walking up a few roadside staircases, we eventually gave up on telepathy and my dad asked a stranger. We were directed to the other side of the Colosseum.


Online reviews of this place were positive, but mentioned 82 steps to the front door of the apartment. I don’t know if I’m impressed by that reviewer or what, but they were exactly right, 82 steps.
Ample room for four people, kitchen, two bathrooms, and views of Roman ruins from the dining room.
We cleaned up, dried off, and were off to see Rome at night.

The Colosseum, est. 80 A.D.