Carnival in Venice

This weekend I went to Venice for my very first time. It was so much fun and beautiful! There wasn't a single cloud in the sky while we were there, which was a much welcomed change. The week before I was very sick and had to miss a couple days of class, so by the time we left for Venice I'll admit I was very homesick. It really didn't help either to be in one of the most romantic cities in the world on Valentine's day and have Matt half way across the world OR that in every single shop was some kind of nick-knack I've seen my mother bring home OR that all the venezian glass paper weights reminded me of my Nonnie's house. Of course though I could only stay sad for a little while, I was in Venice after all! Carnival started this weekend, so there were so many interesting costumes and performers every where and a TON of people. It was so crowded on saturday that we took the water bus to Moreno where you can go into the glass factories and watch the artists. Somehow we got mixed into a group of older french tourists and got to see a show for free (all in french though so I couldn't understand anything that was being said). I thought I would be sad to come back to Amsterdam after being in sunny Italy all weekend, but it actually feels rather nice to be here. The best part of the trip though was all the little kids dressed up throwing confetti, they were so cute! (but of course that just made me think about how much I miss my nephews and nieces-who would have really liked to throw the confetti)

While my friend and I were looking at this tower we were talking about how unbelievable it is that the Italians built such a huge tower so long ago. A man next to us piped in on our conversation who happened to be named Gabriel and was from Buenos Aires-of all places in the world! I swear I couldn't do ANYTHING with out being reminded of every one at home.

This family was feeding the pigeons their sandwiches. Ok, not weird, but most people don't continue to eat the same sandwich after dozens of pigeons have been pecking at it. It was so disgusting!

Don't worry Mom, none of those are mine

So crowded!

Little Glass horse-so crazy how quickly they make them!

Carnival Masks

Musicians who played very beautifully, I tried to post a video but it wouldn't work

San Marco's Square

This was my favorite costume! Can you imagine little Liam or Matti dressed up like this?