Venice Day 1

So we left bright and early for us this morning - getting on a train for the first time since leaving home to head to Venice. We rode 2nd class because 1st class was sold out but we knew this in advance so no big deal, right? Let me tell you - our luggage was sitting in our seats because there was no where to put anything. The train car was completely packed with tourists and their suitcases. It made me think of a plane because there was space above you but nothing for suitcases. We ended up blocking the bathroom door for awhile until someone who worked on the train came and cleared things. We sat in the very back but at least we were able to sit! The train ride was about 2 hours and as soon as we arrived we were greeted by intense humidity.....Getting to our hotel was a trick because it was about a 15 minute walk. No big deal but when you have 90+ temperatures out with 90+ humidity then it's pretty miserable. Plus, when you have to go over 5 or more bridges to get to your hotel, and these are bridges with steps - not just walking over them.......we were soaked with sweat when we arrived. Of course, not 5 minutes into checking in, John looked through his backpack and realized........

He left his video camera on the train.

I think he about had a heart attack. We unloaded our stuff and went back to the train station but nothing. We have been instructed to call the train station's lost and found tomorrow morning. We're not very hopeful and we're both about sick because the camera was very expensive....
However, we're determined not to let it get us too down.

Photo right outside of our hotel.
Anyway, we started wandering through the city and I will say that it's very very quaint. Since you can only travel by foot and boat, you just walk everywhere. The pathways/walkways/alleys are extremely narrow and the streets are convex large paved stone for drainage.
We went to St. Mark's Cathedral which is stunningly beautiful. The one thing I found very disturbing is that it's free to get inside but they charge for EVERYTHING. To go in the area where the "treasure" is kept and also the suspected bones of St. Mark, it's 3 E per person. Then in another area, to go through another exhibit it was 2 E per person. It just seemed wrong to do that in a church, but that's just me. The photo I have below is one taken inside - a big "no no" but there you have it. There was a particular area reserved to go in if you wanted to pray, so we went and I said prayers for all my family and friends back home!
Afterwards we wandered around and got an early dinner. We found that if we want to eat early, you have to go around 4:30 or so - in the time considered "snack time" for Italians - and then you can eat! So I feel much better this evening. :>) Here's John right outside our hotel room determined to enjoy Venice despite losing his camera.
We went back out this evening to wander again and possibly do a gondola ride but it's starting to thunder and lightning so we headed back in to relax. Tomorrow is our 1/2 day cooking class which John is extremely excited about. I'm more excited to take pictures! It's calling for 80% chance of rain all day so it might be a good day to do that.