October, 2009

	Day One: We began our trip in Venice. After arriving at our hotel outside the city at about 2 p.m., we decided to head into the city on our own, by the local bus. Getting to the city was easy; coming back, we were a little concerned we hadn't gotten on the right bus. Fortunately, we had. On the right is a picture of a gondola, and as you can see by the picture on the left, there's a good reason gondolas are narrow and propelled as they are.
This shows you how a gondolier rows his boat, from the side.	There are lots of many narrow bridge in the city. Here I am on one of them.	It isn't only the canals that are narrow.
The narrow lanes could get pretty crowded.	But sometimes, they weren't.	And lest you forget people actually live in Venice, there are reminders.
Of course, the Grand Canal is not nearly so narrow.	Another view of the Grand Canal.	Nor is every bridge small. This is the famous Rialto.

Here are some more pictures of palaces and houses in Venice. Note the middle eastern influence in the design. The details in the stone work can be breathtaking.

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On to Day Two of the tour

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All of these pictures are the property of Margaret and William Wilkins and may not be copied without permission. To ask for permission, email maggiejmoore@yahoo.com.