Venice the "City of Water"

We headed to Venice for our last couple of days in Italy!  I purchased the internet, but it sent my password in my email, which I could not get unless I had the internet, so I could not post a blog on our last couple of days.  We took a boat into Venice and had the tour, and learned all the cool things about Venice, like don't put your hands in the water, swim, or drink the water, that is where they put their sewage!  Venice sits on millions of wooden piles pounded into the marshy ground and has sunk about 7 centimeters a century for the past 1,000 years.  In Venice there are no streets, they travel all by water.  Venice is built on 300 small islands and has 150 canals and is connected by an amazing 409 bridges, which only 3 cross the main Grand Canal.  

It is a beautiful city, and they have shopping all over the place, and they are known for their glass from Murano, they have a glass blowing factory, and it is pretty cool to see them blow the glass into all these different shapes.  We spent our last 2 days there, and it was sort of bitter sweet!  It has been a great trip, and so much fun, and although we were excited to go home, we were sad to leave our big group, which was like one big happy family! 

May 5th, 2008 was also Chris and I (Bug's) 1 year anniversary, and what a great way to spend our first anniversary than with our soccer family, where it all began 3 years ago!  They had prepared a special little treat for us, which was slightly embarrassing!  Andrea Willis, and Jessica Harmon-Carter wrote a little poem for us, and shared it in front of everyone at dinner.  Here are just a few lines:

"Bug and Chris you've made it one whole year

Now it is time to "knock it up" a year

For the longest time we've wanted you to have a baby

But the only thing you tell us is "we'll see" and "maybe"

You say that money is one thing holding you back

But luckily for you, Jen is here to pick up the slack

$5,000 dollars is the price to be paid

Come on, let's go!  There is a baby to be made!

It goes on to say some other things, and it was so funny!  Chris was really embarrassed, but it was really nice of them. The group all chipped in to give us some Euro's to take a Gondola ride in Venice!  I was really taken back, and it was a wonderful surprise!  We had so much fun on the Gondola!  We appreciate everyone's kindness and generosity!  Thank you, it was a perfect anniversary!  

I will post a blog later today, that sums up our adventures in Europe!  We had a great time, and I am awake so early, my body still thinks we are on Italy time!  Welcome home everyone!