Adventures of an Old Broad... Abroad: Venezia

It is the middle of the night and I'm waiting for the alarm to ring to walk Nancy to her 3:45 vaporetto to the airport. Dee and I leave tomorrow mid-day. It has been a wonderful trip and, although we couldn't throw coins in Trevi Fountain due to ongoing repair work, we hope to return to this amazing country. I am pretty sure I have gained a few pounds - the pasta! However, it was worth it and I hope I'll be able to shed them when I get home. Ha!
Venice is so beautiful but in the main areas VERY crowded. It's understandable - so we spent little time in the most popular spots and wandered the smaller, less populated little alleys when possible. There is no place like it and it's amazing to round a corner and see a small bridge with a boat or gondola going down the small canal. Dee's son, Casey, is stationed in Vicenza and was able to meet us one day for lunch. It was great to see him and I'm so glad for her. She's missed him a lot!
On our last day here, we decided to go to Burano and were very happy we did. There are different stories as to why the houses there are painted in their incredibly bright colors, but my favorite is that it was to help fishermen to find their way back to their homes. It was beautiful, not very crowded and an hour's ferry ride from Venice. The weather was perfect (after another huge thunderstorm AND hailstorm last night which we were fortunate enough (again) to watch from inside our room). We had an incredible lunch in a small café and looked in shops. The island is known for its lace and there were shops full of beautiful lace made by local ladies. I'm sure these days much of it is imported, but it was all beautiful to look at and a bit too expensive to buy.
We have just come from walking Nancy to the Vaporetto and sent her on her way. In the process, we met some girls from Chicago on their way to Oktoberfest, saw five quite large rats and discovered that the middle of the night is definitely the best time to see Venice. Coming through San Marcos Square with only two or three other people there, wandering down dimly lit alleyways and seeing the reflections in the still water are images that I will not soon forget. I regretted not thinking to bring my camera but then, some images are best left in your memory.
So, as 'Sister Trip II' draws to a close, I feel lucky and grateful to have experienced this beautiful place with two beautiful people. Arrivederci.