Here's Karen standing on one of over
450 bridges that link the 118 islands that comprise Venice.
I tried talking Karen into a gondola ride, but she
thought it was way touristy.
Around every corner, down every tiny
street, there are beautiful views.
Surrounding Venice is the Grand
Canal. If you want to get to Venice, YOU MUST HAVE A BOAT!
When Venice was founded, the standard means of transportation was a boat,
not a horse.
More Grand Canal.
See how the houses have doorways leading right to the
water, as well as small piers.
We learned a lot about how they built these houses on
tiny muddy islands by sinking timbers (pilings) into the mud and then
laying a stone foundation.
There's no oxygen
in the mud (clay) so the timbers don't rot.
Our guide said the people went to all
that trouble because they were getting attacked on the mainland and needed
to live somewhere much less accessible. They succeeded.
The day was HOT and yet there was no
stench.
Imagine living here, with shutters
that look two hundred years old.
