Another Planet

Rome was spectacular with its antiquities tucked among the modern.  Florence had ridiculous displays of opulence by people that called themselves "the Magnificent".  But Venice is another planet altogether.  Venice reminds me of a science fiction story where one basic element of life that we all take for granted is changed, and as a result everything else changes.  In Venice, it's the canals.  On the 180 islands that comprise Venice, you get around by foot or by boat.  Period.  No cars.  No trucks.  No firetrucks.  No wheeled ambulances.  Not even any "pedestrian only" zones as there's no way for cars to get there.

Everything's different without the cars.  Goods are brought in on little boats, and then hauled by hand on special carts with an extra set of wheels used to pivot up and down the steps on one pont (bridge) after another .  The UPS truck is a boat.  The mail comes by boat and then by foot.  The pace is slower as a result.  No dodging cars or waiting for traffic lights to change.  Some dodging of tourists and tour groups, but nothing too stressful.  The water buses go everywhere and frequently (though they are expensive). 

It's mystical.  Surreal.  While we were there, the sun filtered through a light haze, causing the distant church domes and bell towers (of which there were no shortage) to appear as if shot through a soft filter in a movie.  The soft focus of the place worked well with the soft color palette on all the buildings, adding to the effect.   I half expected to see two or three moons appear on the horizon, as if this were a different planet.