Travels Part Deux

I have to do this in parts, as there is so much to tell you.
I left off leaving Zurich. We found our train with little problem, and boarded. I was asleep, head on the table in front of me before we left the station. I knew that if I felt that bad already and I was still intoxicated that later was not going to be pretty. This was our long day of train rides, which I think I was secretly happy as I really needed to sleep. We stopped and changed trains in Milan. Our stop was long enough for us to see some pigeons and to pick up a panini. I tried really hard to stay awake for the rest of the journey, but that didn't happen.
We arrived in Venice around 4 pm. So exciting to walk out of the train station and see old buildings and water just like a person has always envisioned it to be. I think I had to pinch myself, seriously! Are task was to find which water bus to take to where we would find out hotel. Our first try was wrong, but the second one was right on. Here pulls up this water bus, Sam and I are lugging our huge suitcases onto this crowded boat. No matter where we stood we were given dirty looks and told to move. It was quite comical, like really there was no where for us to go. We must have been the first tourists Venice had ever seen. (who brings a suitcase onto a water bus anyway?) A short jaunt on the boat and our stop. we walked through this small cobblestone alleyway and came out onto a busier shopping street. Our map was out and we started to navigate to our hotel. Like that was easy, the signs were all in Italian and it was like nothing matched what our map said. I must admit though, I do have a general sense of direction and I did find the hotel. Old and antique, very pretty. We ditched our suitcases and were off in the rain to look around. I don't know if you have seen pictures or movies that involve Venice, but it is exactly what you have seen. No cars, just lots of people bustling around, walkways too narrow for all of the umbrellas. Really posh stores and little cafes and wine bars everywhere. Sam and I decided on supper right beside the water, how romantic. Sitting under an awning, with a heat lamp, drinking red wine and eating some great pasta. (This isn't at all what I thought I would be doing in Italy, as if! It was like being in a fairytale). We called it an early night, by going back to the hotel and sitting in the hotel bar enjoying a few drinks and talking.
Day 2 in Venice was started by sirens, it woke both of us up. Not sure what the sirens meant or if we should be taking cover, we just stayed in bed for a little longer. After getting ready and enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we left to go and see what we could before our tour. Unfortunately, the water was so high that many things were flooded. Many of the streets had ramps to walk over so you were not walking in ankle deep water. It was so busy though that once you got on one of the ramps you were guaranteed to be in a line up just to get down the street. We found out at the beginning of our tour that the morning alarm lets the residents that the water level will peak above 1.5m and to be aware that there will be flooding. The flooding limited out tour too, we couldn't go into the Basicala, St. Mark's Square was completely flooded. It didn't help that it was so flippen cold, windy and rainy. Sam and I bought plastic ponchos to wear so we wouldn't have to carry our umbrellas. We looked like sausages, (meat stuffed into its wrap). After our walking tour we found a little pizzeria for lunch, we both had pizza and shared a bottle of wine. It was nice to get out of the wet for a short time. We didn't have long as we still had a tour on the Grand Canal. I directed us back to the meeting sight (Sorry, but Sam was awful at remembering how to get anywhere). The tour on the Grand Canal was great, besides the extremely rough water. Going along the Canal and seeing the beautiful old buildings, all of the colours and the history. Just great! We were both tired after our long day of sightseeing and walking that we went back to the hotel to warm up and take a break. Of course we weren't hungry after our large lunch, but we still wanted to go out for awhile, we were in Venice! Walking down the many streets we found a wine bar and sat and enjoyed a glass of wine, then off to a pub. A cute little jazz pub, which seemed to be okay. One little detail that made it even more interesting the ceiling was completely covered in womens bras. All sizes and colours. I guess this pub's thing was to get girls to leave their bras to show off. So guess what Sam and I did? We ....... didn't leave our bra. I am more controlled than that, give me some credit. We had a salad and some bruschetta for supper. Really not that great, but what should I expect ordering a Greek salad in Italy. We made our way back to the hotel and again sat in the bar and played some Monopoly Deal. I know you are all thinking wow, how boring! But we weren't feeling the night life in Venice. I think Venice is really a place for couples to go to, not two ladies looking for a party.
The next day had us packing up and making our way back to the train station to head to our next destination. Once again, I did some shopping in the train station. Last minute buys so I could have useless memorabilia of Venice.
I really didn't think it was going to take so long to post my trip, maybe I am a little too long winded. You are all thinking, just show us the pictures. Well you still have to wait because that is going to take a long time to do too.