We don't talk about Venice

Ahh Venice.

Hundreds of bridges connecting little islands.

Brightly colored buildings.

Gondolas weaving through narrow canals.

Gondola operator’s voices carry through the town.

St. Marks glistens with its gold and marble.

Pigeons flock in St. Marks Piazza.

Masks laugh at you from behind shop windows.

Murano glass shines.

Venice it truly magical... or it should be.

But when it rains, it pours.  

And Venice, being built on islands and connected by canals, floods. 

It floods badly. 

Like up to your mid calf/knees badly.  

All those little pigeons, their feathers and waste are washed away by the flooding rain that you are standing in.  

When the weather is approximately 50 degrees and you didn't bring warm clothes because you're going to Italy in the summer, it's even better.  

Now factor in the wind that is blowing the rain all over the place.  

I have never been more miserable in my life. 

Or so wet and cold.

And that is why we don't talk about Venice. 

Luckily, after lunch, the rain cleared and the sun came out to play. Venice was beautiful once again. We were able to take some nice pictures in our soggy shoes and damp pants.  I would love to go back to Venice again one day in the sun.