The Winter Explorer, part 5

Today, I woke up early to walk the streets of Venice and see it in the early morning light. It was a bit chilly but I enjoyed the solitary experience. Wala rin masyadong tao cause everyone is still asleep.

After breakfast, went to see Venice. We rode a boat to go to Piazza San Marco or St. Mark’s Square. Dun yung madaming pigeons.

Murano Glass-Making

First agenda was to see a demonstration of Murano glass making. Venice kasi is known for its glass industry and totoo nga, ang galing galing! Within two minutes, the maestro was able to form a vase. Nagpa-picture pa kami sa maestro ng glassmaking. Ang mahal ng mga products dun pero ang ga-ganda talaga.

After the demonstration, we went to join a tour inside the St. Mark’s Basilica and the Palace of the Doges. This one is a great historical experience. We had a local tour guide, ang name nya is Daniella. She’s so dramatic and so friendly. It all added to the feel of histrical Venice.

Entrance to St. Marks Basilica

First, we went inside the church. The church had it’s ceiling entirely covered with mosaics of GOLD, as in 24 K gold! Tapos yung mosaics are not malalaking mga squares, maliliit talaga. Sa sahig naman, mga tesselation na made of marble na maliliit lang. The floor was also paalo-alon, kasi yung foundation nya is nasa dagat nga di ba? Kaya bawal magstay ng matagal kasi nase-stress daw ang foundations. Bawal din gano magsalita kasi simbahan nga. At bawal magphoto. Sad. The basilica also had solid marble columns that do not support anything, for decoration lang. Tapos yung mga walls, covered in marble din na super intricate ang mga veins.

After the visit to St. Mark’s we went to see the Palace of the Doges. Ito na talaga ang history.

The Palace of the Doges is the seat of the rulers of Venice. If that government existed in these days, we would call it a superpower. Kasi Venice was, at that time, was the only access to the sea and everthing in Europe from Asia passes through Venice, and vice versa.

So, eto na naman, sa super yaman nila, ang palace nila was covered in 24 K gold. The ceilings are covered in paintings and trimmings na gold talaga. The floor was also mosaic sort ofmarble called terrazzo na walang break. Imagine, isang hall na kasing laki ng main lib sa UP, walang break yung sahig. Tapos meron yung super laki na room na walang columns because the ceiling was suspended, held from the second ceiling above it.

Super advance din ang political system nila. Yung doges, wala silang power but they are elected for life. Yung judges naman elected for 1 year, and very powerful. Kasi sabi nila people get corrupt when you give them both time and power. Kaya, ayan inayos nila na walang magiging corrupt. Basta 11 centuries yung republic nila, walang kahit isang revolution. Kasi mahal ng mga tao ang government nila.

We also saw the courts, the place for the senate and some other halls--all of them with high ceilings and huge paintings. Sa court, there is this small opening. Dun mo ilalagay yung papel na nakasulat yung demanda mo. The paper that contains the accussation has to be signed by 4 people. 1 by the accuser and 3 by other witnesses. Tapos they put it in a slot that is like a lion’s mouth—the emblem of Venice. So if they were accusing na mali, they will be punished because its as if they are swearing in the name of the state.

The Bridge of Sighs

Beside the palace is the prison connected by a famous bridge called the Bridge of Sighs. Doon dumadaan yung mga prisoners between court hearings and being in prison. It's called the Bridge of Sighs kasi malungkot ang mga dumadaan dun. Meron pang maliit na window para magkaron sila ng last look sa pinakamamahal nilang Venice.

After that, we rushed to Accademia Bridge, Rialto Bridge and back to St. Mark’s Square. Barely making it in time for the cruise to take us to Burano Island. We were SOOOOO hungry and tired na by this time. Good that we had a 20-minte boat ride to Burano Island.

Rialto Bridge

Burano is a fishing island, home to the fishermen of Venice. Of course, we had a super sarap seafood lunch. It's again the traditional way of Italians na napakahaba at napaka daming food! Seafood lasagna, seafood risotto, calamares, and fried shrimp. Tapos yung last is cookies, cake and coffee.

After the very heavy lunch, we went to see Burano. It's really so nice with its colorful houses. According to history, noong araw daw when the fishermen would go home from their daybreak fishing, they can't recognize kung ano yung bahay nila. So, with only 11 families then, they painted their houses with different colors. The style stuck on even now that there are so many houses.

Ang local trade nila dun is lace. Kasi yung mga women, nasanay na sa pagrepair ng mga net ng mga fishermen. Meron pa nga ako nakita na lola na nagbu-burda.

Next entry: Venice-Rome