Beyond The Hole

A Stormy Venice Eve

July 03, 2002 @ 12:28 PM

Buon giorno! It’s raining here in Venice. Yet, unlike Oregon, its actually quite warm and enjoyable. The natives however seem to have a differing opinion, ducking under any and all available shelter at the slightest sprinkle.

This city is such a wonderfully chaotic labyrinth of bridges, canals, and alleys. There isn’t a whole lot else to see, but there’s plenty of exploring to be had, and getting lost is as much pleasure as pain. Perhaps the only thing easier then losing your way is finding a gelato (ice cream) stand to lift your spirits. Through some logic which defies my understanding, I seem to eventually find my way. Mike and I are renting a room in an old Catholic Church on the North side of town.

Previously we spent two nights in the little town of Gimmelwald, perched high in the Swiss Alps. Gimmelwald sports a hostel full of friendly alpine hikers and climbers, a handful of cows, chickens, and goats, three families, and some of the most breath-taking scenary imaginable. I hurt my foot somewhere along the way, too much hiking in sandals I suspect. So instead of exploring the countryside as I would have liked, I walked up the mountain a bit, plopped down in the grass and ate some local strawberries while marveling at the countryside.

Dime is running out now, gotta go. More soon! Yours in haste.