I saw the city for the first time from above, out the window of an airbus while descending into Venice airport. In the misty morning light of the marsh, it looked to be a collection of dollhouses floating in the Adriatic. I immediately resolved to spend a day or two exploring once my work in Montechio was complete.
When I got there, the weather was foul, rainy and windy, which I understand is typical of a Venetian winter. I wandered through the narrow alleys and muses, luggage in tow, mesmerized by the sense of magic and history all around me. It wasn't long before I was hopelessly lost. Why the water taxi didn't drop me off directly at my hotel I will never know. They had no problem taking my Euros.
I soon figured out that none of the shopkeepers had a clue how to give directions to tourists in San Marco, but were very good at getting you lost somewhere else. After several hours I eventually found a postman, whom I figured would have to know how to find the Duodo Palace Hotel. He was kind enough to let me tag along on his route until we came upon it.
I spent two magical days wandering Venice, taking pictures with my Point and Shoot and fell in love not only with the city on the marsh but photography as well. It wasn't long before I bought my first DSLR, a Nikon D5100, and have been mildly obsessed ever since.
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Sunrise along the Grand Canal in Venice
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Venice began to lose its position as a center of international trade during the later part of the Renaissance as Portugal became Europe's principal intermediary in the trade with the East, striking at the very foundation of Venice's great wealth; while France and Spain fought for hegemony over Italy in the Italian Wars, marginalising its political influence. However, the Venetian empire was a major exporter of agricultural products and, until the mid-18th century, a significant manufacturing center. Now a major tourist destination where four bedroom apartments sell for 3 million euros, the city retains much of it's ancient architecture and charm through carefully planned renewal.
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San Marco, Venice
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