After a four-hour train ride, we walked out of the train station to see a rain-clogged city of canals. We bought tickets in the rain (why are the ticket machines not inside the terminal?) for a public water taxi to our hotel. After checking in we walked down the narrow streets looking for dinner.
We picked Trattoria Pizzeria Da Gioia at random and were treated to a great meal. Sam was elated to have cuttlefish ink pasta for the first time in 20 years. We washed everything down with a bottle of local prosecco. When we told the waiter we were too full for desert he said he had another idea. We were already a little tipsy from the wine, but he brought out (large) shot glasses of limoncello. We refused to drink unless he joined us- so of course, he did. We were pleasantly surprised to find a waiter that worked to improve our dining experience. Our earlier waiters in Italy were benign at best and downright rude at worst. It was refreshing to be in a place where the staff seemed to be enjoying themselves.
On that high note, we stumbled down to Piazza San Marco and ran to the campanile, which would still allow rides to the top for the next few minutes.
Just like in other towers we managed to go up for a bell ringing. Unlike other bell towers, the bells themselves were literally only a few feet above our heads.
After coming down from the tower and our alcohol buzz dissipating we walked to other landmarks and partook of what we were sure would be the last gelato in Italy as the rain started to pour again.
Sam decided to get ready for bed and we split up as I wanted to go back to San Marco to take some photos at night. After taking a few pics I noted that she’d probably love the atmosphere with musicians playing classical music, etc. so I ran back to the hotel and dragged her back out. We stayed out in the piazza until the lights came on and the orchestras started playing.
