Gondola
As one exited the train station at Venice, the Grande Canale accosted every sense that you possessed. The movement, the colour, the energy, the smells, the sounds of people and engines both on land and from the canals. There was a general milling of people as they had swarmed from the trains. Trains that arrived in great numbers with unforeseen regularity delivered tourists in vast numbers. Boats, ferries, water taxis, barges of every type rushed along the waters of the 
canale. The pecking order obvious with gondolas apparently the last on the list. Tourists beweilded by the need to make immediate choices stood endeavouring to read the signs indicating locations, prices and schedules for ferries. Queues wound their way along barricaded paths to purchase appropriate tickets. We steadfastly joined one queue but a tourist with unknown issues created such a long wait that we abandoned that and chose to go by foot in search of the main plaza. It was on that walk of discovery that we came upon a gondolier seeking to have us delight in his guidance of the canal circuit. Tentative negotiations saw us bargain an 70 euro, 30 minute trip along the waterways, including the Grande Canale. A once in a life time opportunity to good to miss, we embarked, cameras at the ready. As strange as it seems, we became the targets in the viewfinders of other t
ourists keen to click a gondola and gondolier in Venice. All over the world people will share their happy snaps of unknown tourists; Stephen and I, taking a ride in a gondola. Rowing in the canals appeared hazardous for motorised craft had right of way and none paused or hesitated for the gondola. It's true, gondoliers ducked as we passed under numerous, low bridges. By second nature each tilted their head as the gondola glided through the waters of the canals. Places of interest noted along the way and undeniably a pleasant way to spend 30 minutes. I can't say that Stephen and I actually spoke many words to each other. What transpired in that 30 minute journey was so awe-inspiring that conversation a
lmost ceased entirely. Somehow conversation seemed so inappropriate. Words could not accurately capture nor describe the mood or explain the atmosphere. Almost in silence we sat and simply soaked in the experience.
As one exited the train station at Venice, the Grande Canale accosted every sense that you possessed. The movement, the colour, the energy, the smells, the sounds of people and engines both on land and from the canals. There was a general milling of people as they had swarmed from the trains. Trains that arrived in great numbers with unforeseen regularity delivered tourists in vast numbers. Boats, ferries, water taxis, barges of every type rushed along the waters of the 
canale. The pecking order obvious with gondolas apparently the last on the list. Tourists beweilded by the need to make immediate choices stood endeavouring to read the signs indicating locations, prices and schedules for ferries. Queues wound their way along barricaded paths to purchase appropriate tickets. We steadfastly joined one queue but a tourist with unknown issues created such a long wait that we abandoned that and chose to go by foot in search of the main plaza. It was on that walk of discovery that we came upon a gondolier seeking to have us delight in his guidance of the canal circuit. Tentative negotiations saw us bargain an 70 euro, 30 minute trip along the waterways, including the Grande Canale. A once in a life time opportunity to good to miss, we embarked, cameras at the ready. As strange as it seems, we became the targets in the viewfinders of other t
ourists keen to click a gondola and gondolier in Venice. All over the world people will share their happy snaps of unknown tourists; Stephen and I, taking a ride in a gondola. Rowing in the canals appeared hazardous for motorised craft had right of way and none paused or hesitated for the gondola. It's true, gondoliers ducked as we passed under numerous, low bridges. By second nature each tilted their head as the gondola glided through the waters of the canals. Places of interest noted along the way and undeniably a pleasant way to spend 30 minutes. I can't say that Stephen and I actually spoke many words to each other. What transpired in that 30 minute journey was so awe-inspiring that conversation a
lmost ceased entirely. Somehow conversation seemed so inappropriate. Words could not accurately capture nor describe the mood or explain the atmosphere. Almost in silence we sat and simply soaked in the experience.
Sounds wonderful
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