Venice

I am writing this post from our hotel room in Venice Italy. We flew from Dublin to Milan early yesterday morning and took a train directly to Venice. There was a bus we took from the Milan airport to the train station for €5. The train ride took around 3 hours. Unfortunately it was a grey rainy day when we arrived and continued even as we arrived in Venice.

When we came out of the train station we were right in front of a canal. You can definitely tell you are in Venice. We walked from the train station to our hotel which was a 10 minute walk. While the canals and numerous bridges are pretty romantic, they are not the most convenient if you are travelling with a stroller.
Our hotel is in the Jewish ghetto. It was very affordable so we weren't quite sure what it would be like but it did get great reviews on trip advisor. We were not disappointed, we got a free upgrade and the room was like a palace. There is an entryway and then a door that leads into the bedroom and sitting area. The bathroom is huge and modern with a jacuzzi bathtub and separate rain shower. We also have the canal view with numerous windows. Obviously you can tell I could go on and on about our hotel. It's really awesome.

Our first night we just walked around and saw St Marco Square at night. It rained pretty hard so we ducked into a somewhat overpriced restaurant for an ok meal. I'm not sure if it was the rain, the numerous tourist stores or the shabby service at the restaurant but I didnt really feel the magic of Venice. It felt commercialised and a tiny bit sleazy.

This morning we woke up and saw that the canal was flooding some parts of the street in front of our windows. As we got dressed and went to breakfast (included) we noticed the water flooding the entire street. The hotel owner told us that 10am was the high tide. So the high tide coupled with the hard rain made the water flood the entire pedestrian street.
Since the water wouldn't go down until a few hours we hung out in our hotel room looking out at the people walking in the water on the street and the boats going by. It was quite fun. People had wellies on, trash bags on, thigh high fishing pants on, or rolled up their pants and went barefoot!
We finally went out after the water went down and took the water bus to San Marco Square. It was still rainy today but not as hard as yesterday. It is a beautiful area with the square, basilica and palazzo. We toured the palazzo and that took us a few hours. The palazzo is very ornate and definitely worth a look.
We had a meal and gelato in the square and then took some pictures of the basilica. We let Connor loose in the square and he went crazy chasing all the pigeons. The square was definitely his favourite part.
We walked around Venice after that and had dinner al fresco in a little square which was very pleasant. We walked back to the hotel and the streets were deserted and the many bridges and rivers were definitely romantic. Even if you are carrying a 1 1/2 year old on your hip.
Tomorrow we are having an early start and taking the train to Florence! We have been there before but always wanted to go back.
Here are some pictures from Venice:

Quick update

I've been really bad about updating my blog in the past few weeks - maybe the past month - so I'll write a short post.  It has definitely been a busy past few weeks and work has definitely been picking up. I thought it was going to be less work here than in the US but I was unfortunately very wrong.  I still need to write a post about our trip to Budapest, Hungary.  It was a lot of fun and great weather.  I also had a work management meeting in Limerick on a Friday and stayed overnight for the dinner and party.  The party went on until the wee hours of the morning which I have been told is a proper Irish party.  I got to know some of my Irish co-workers so that was a plus.  Darcy, one of my best friends, also visited me these past two weeks.  She wrote a guest blog post about her trip to Dublin.

The weather here has been getting colder and the days are now getting shorter.  I can't believe it is already mid October.  Time is passing by quickly.  We are staying in town this weekend, but next weekend we are going to Italy for the bank holiday.  It is the last bank holiday until next year.  We will fly into Milan and then take the train to Venice, stay there for a few days, and then take the train to Florence.  I can't wait!

We took Darcy on her weekend here to Powerscourt - the estate and waterfall.  We took the Dart train to Bray and then took a bus from Bray directly to Powerscourt.  The entrance fee is a little expensive but we were pretty impressed with the estate.  We took a taxi to the waterfall as it would have been a long walk and the roads are not meant for pedestrians.

Here are some pictures of Powerscourt:

In front of Powerscourt Estate & Darcy's finger

Darcy & I on a low hanging branch

Pepperpot Tower - modelled after the owner's pepper pot on his dining table - if only I had that much money

Killing Hollow??? That wasn't in the brochure!

In the Japanese Gardens

From across the pond

At the Powerscourt Waterfall

Connor & Michael

Connor at Bray Beach

Darcy's Dublin Experience

It had been rainy and cold in Philadelphia when I left for Dublin. The same weather was found here when I landed. Somehow it was different though. My attitude and spirits were much lighter and I looked forward to walking around in this drizzle. When Nina said that she and Michael and Baby Connor were going to move to Dublin, I thought "oh no! I won't be able to see Connor until he is well past his cute baby stage!" With that it became a goal of mine to visit as soon as possible. I had never been to Europe and Ireland is truly an easy transition for someone who does not know any other language except bits and pieces of Spanish and French. I see it as "dipping my toe" into Europe since it is only a 5 hour flight and I don't need a translator. If it weren't for having to pay in Euros, I would feel like I was still in the Irish section of Philadelphia that I frequent. Even though, everyone here is MUCH friendlier. Nina and Michael have been the best hosts, showering me with all their knowledge and brochures. I couldn't have wished for a better vacation.  :)

Between Two Bridges

A drizzly Day

Bright Ivy across from the Park

If I could only brave the bicycle route...

Where are All the Flowers? Merrion Square

On the Street Where You Live

Grafton Street at Night

An American Experience in Dublin (Captain America's)

Captain America's (Yummy Mozzarella Sticks)

Love the Architecture at Night

Approaching the Park

St. Stephen's Green

From Nina and Michael's Apartment

The little Streets of the Countryside

The Shoreline

Apparently, they are not friendly.

Something to See no matter what Direction

A Fairy Tale of Sorts

Cliffside, the sun was out.

Character

It is well lit, though my camera would have you believe otherwise!

When I came to Dublin, I wanted to meet a tall dark....beer.

Touring alone, a self portrait.

Artistry in Every Glass

If Paul Rudd likes it...

Then it is alright with Obama!

My Complimentary Pint. Yummy.

Gravity Bar View of Dublin with writing on the glass.

An Amazing setting

The Beautiful details in every building

I could see this from the Guinness Factory. Note to self: Look up rental prices.

Football and Tours

The Streets of Dublin. Near City Hall.