I was really taken with Venice. There was something about the place that just got to me. I don't know how to explain it. It wasn't an easy place for us. LOTS OF WALKING. Sometimes we would take the Vaporetto (water bus) if it looked like we could shorten the walk.
"How far is it?" "Not too far. Just 3 bridges." Sure it was only 3 bridges, but first you had to find the right bridge! You walk down streets that are so narrow they are one person wide and hopefully nobody comes the other direction. The "street" makes a 90 degree turn and, what do you know, you're in a square with lots of room. Where did that come from?
I was going to pickup our laundry. It was 3 or 4 bridges from the hotel so in Venetian terms it wasn't too far. I followed the map, went down a narrow "street" and came to the bridge over the canal. The only problem was it was the wrong bridge and this bridge went into somebody's house!
What follows are a pictures that I hope gives a feel of what it is like walking around Venice.
I don't want to give the impression that the pedestrian isn't given any help. Every once in a while there would be some directional help for the lost and weary. Here is a pointer to Fondamente Nuove which is a vaporetto stop. Every once in a while there would be directions to San Marco and Rialto - two of the main tourist attractions.
There is no question that the economy of Venice is mainly tourism. It seems like there are masses of tourists wandering the alleys, "streets" and squares of Venice any time of the day or night. The only motor vehicles one sees are the water taxis, vaporettos (water bus) or other power boats that are used for commercial or personal transport. You would think that there is nothing like a traffic jam. WRONG! It's not too bad in the Grand Canal whee there is plenty of room . However in the smaller canals it is not unusual to see a traffic jam between a number of gondolas or between gondolas and other water vehicles.
The vaporettos operate along the Grand Canal and also go to the other islands like Murano, Burano, etc. In addition, EVERYTHING has to be transported by water.
