Venice

Just arrived in Venice.

Clear blue skies and warm tempo. Very fast taxi ride!

Relaxed on the waterfront "Zaterre" right near our apartment and then settled in with some Italian grocery shopping. The Dorsoduro area is partly old docklands  and gondola building yards so there is much industrial history on the waterfront. We're next to a university and about 3 churches which compete for our attention at bell times.

We've walked the beautiful narrow streets along the canals and over tiny bridges. Discovered numerous tiny squares and bars, cafes, gelaterias everywhere. Not to mention quite a few tourists and school groups. Fortunatelythere are also plenty of locals. Our area has many young families and a nice atmosphere. Not so much english being spoken and shopkeepers who are unhurried, fairly happy and not at all pushy.

I watched the European Champions League match between Milan and Barcelona in a packed bar on the very busy Santa Margerita square. Nearly half of the Italians were cheering for Barcelona. I was quietly neutral but loved being a part of the passion, the shouting, clapping, cheering and head-holding during the match, all in front of a big telly in a tiny bar. Messi, Messi, Messi.

The San Marco and Rialto areas are totally dominated by groups of tourists and pigeons. Both are a bit of a nuisance and you don't want to hang around here too long. The Palace and St Marks square are very impressive never-the less. We climbed the Campanile (100m bell tower) for sensational views over the lagoon and the city. I say climbed - the lift was quite fast. The cold breeze left us invigorated. The endless terracotta rooftops and church spires providing photographic opportunities at every compass point.