Venezia Carnivale= Glamorous

So my day started off yesterday with a 6:30 wake up time. Not my favorite time of the day to get up, but all was overlooked when I knew that I was heading to Venice for the big Carnivale. We took a taxi to the meeting point and waited on the bus for everyone to show up. I slept most of the way there, and once we reached the big bridge, we all got on the ferry to take us to the island. As we watched from the outside balcony, I could begin to see Venice in view with all of it's wonderful buildings lining the sea. I felt a slight pang of sadness when I realized that the one person I wanted to be there the most, was sleeping at home back in the US.

We got off of the boat and the first thing in sight was a beautiful hotel called Hotel Gabrielli. I took this as a sign that today was going to be great. We immediately started taking pictures and looking around. As we walked the stone cobbled streets of Venice in the warm sunlight, I could tell that for some reason I was always meant to come here. I felt as if I was in some sort of dream as we saw all of the people in wonderful costumes and masks.

There were so many elaborate costumes and tourists stopping every person they saw to take pictures. We saw many beautiful structures and of course gondolas! It was very neat to see all of the arched bridges that ran straight through the narrow streets! I was greatful for how small the streets were because then we didn't have to worry about being run over by a car or moped. If you have ever been to Italy, then you know what I am talking about. We came across a little gelato place, and I got to experience my first taste of real italian ice cream. Words cannot describe the smooth creamy deliciousness of this cold treat, but the Straciatella and mint chocolate made Venice seem that much more special.

Around 4 p.m. we headed to the piazza to see the fashion show with the most elaborate costumes. It was absolutely stunning to see all of the details and hard work that goes into this festival. There were even families dressed up all together. Some people even had wings! We stayed at the show for an hour and finally decided that it was time to get a mask. Choosing a mask in Venice is not an easy task because there are literally thousands to choose from. I settled with a beautiful all white mask. It was simple but very elegant looking. Mary got this fantasicly wild royal blue mask with huge feathers. Jordain choose an emerald green mask with fewer feathers, and Alyssa choose a black mask with the right side covering the whole face, and the left side covering just her eyes. All were glamorous.

At six we got back on the boat and headed back to the buses. We stopped at a rest stop and somehow a funny thing happened. I was trying to leave the stall but it somehow managed to get stuck and I was trapped inside for atleast 5 min. It would not have been so bad but the stall door reached all the way down to the floor and I was the only one in the bathroom at the time. After yelling and banging on the door, the man who ran the cash machine came sprinting in, and unlocked it from the outside. What a way to finish the day. All I could do was laugh because I was so inevitably tired. We reached our apartment around 12:30 in the morning and I quickly dosed off, thinking about how I am definitely returning to Venice sometime soon.

Ciao
Elle