Amy had exactly forty-eight hours between the end of sleep-away camp and when Tom, Sarah’s favorite taxi driver, drove us to the airport to fly to Venice.
One thing we did well was to arrange things so we could check in to our Airbnb right away. Fortunately, it has air conditioning since we are in Venice during a heatwave. Our Airbnb is located mere minutes from a delicious gelato store called Gelato Fantasy. It has eight vegan flavors for Sarah to choose from. We have multiple restaurants nearby that have scrumptious food, including a crepe store that has easily transportable crepes for breakfast that we can take back to our terrace.
For our first full day, we took a boat to Lido and went to the beach. This involved lots of tickets and sorting out where to go and how to get spots with umbrellas. Carl took care of all of that, which was usually more complicated than one would wish. It was very hot. By the time we made it to our beach chairs we needed to rest in the shade before we had the energy to find the changing rooms and put on our swim suits. The sand was so hot we had to wear our shoes to the water’s edge, but then how glorious to get in the water! It truly felt like bath water. It was the warmest ocean water I have ever experienced. Sarah only got her toes wet, but Amy could have mermaided all day. Carl and I enjoyed being fully in the water too. The end of that day included some stress and a meltdown, but thanks to Carl and the kindness of strangers we made it through and enjoyed dinner with our toes in the sand.
For our second day, Carl and Amy explored the Biennale Arte. They saw many amazing things and walked a lot!
Sarah and I sat on our terrace, napped, ate, napped, tried to find the gelato place that is near us, got turned around, frustrated, upset, finally found it, had some gelato, and got back to our apartment.
Yesterday, we all went to the Rialto bridge and had lunch. After lunch, Carl and Sarah went to the apartment. It has been clear that Sarah doesn’t really want to explore much and that her favorite thing to do is sit on our terrace. The heat is also harder for her to deal with, despite her general love of saunas and hot tubs. This gorgeous yellow unit on the second floor with the green vines is our rental. We have a view of a canal, gondoliers, restaurants, and people. It is a perfect spot.
Amy and I explored more until it was time to get a few grocery items, drop them at our place, and head to a mask painting activity. I was still having trouble with getting turned around and not being able to get myself on my map app in the direction I wanted. I know that should be easy, but somehow it wasn’t. We were tight on time so opted to take the boat rather than walk. Amy helped reassure me that the boat I thought was right was right, because I was doubting it. As we finally made it to the mask painting location, I was expecting a group to be outside, but she wisely asked me for the exact address and found the shop where we were to go. We had a great time painting, but when it was time to add the decoration in gold or silver, I didn’t realize that the expert would do those finishing touches himself. So my mask flourishes are not my own, but Amy had the courage to ask to do it herself. The expert said, “ok, but if you mess up, there is nothing I can do.” She said she would accept that risk. She did a beautiful job, and I was so proud of her for asking for what she wanted.
Part of the inspiration for this trip was the book Olivia Goes to Venice by Ian Falconer. In the book, Olivia wants a souvenir and decides to take a brick from the bell tower, causing it to collapse. Last night at dinner, Sarah delighted in pretending to remove a stone from a bell tower.
I think we are getting into a rhythm, trading off who goes on an adventure with Amy and who stays closer to our “home” with Sarah. It has been a very humbling experience overall. When Amy and I went to London and Geneva by ourselves I joked that we were doing the trip without a grown-up because I so much feel like I do not know what I’m doing when it comes to international travel. Carl is much more skilled and confident. Having a trip where we are not together for all parts of it points out how much I have coasted on his coat-tails. I’m glad he is training Amy to be a more independent traveler.
Wishing you delight and bravery.
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