August 16 – chilling out!

 Today we’re taking it a little easy after 3 days (and over 30,000 steps) walking in the hot Venetian sun up and over countless bridges.  We’ve turned on the TV and found a sports channel hoping to get the big Game – and we did. The commentary was in Italian but the movements across the screen told the story (first TV in 3 months). 

I must mention bells.  Fascinating coming from Istanbul where time is measured by the Adhan when the haunting calls of the muezzins echoes across the metropolis proclaiming the call to prayer. From there to Venice trading partners of old, where the passing of time is measured with bells calling out from over 100 bell towers across the city and the lagoon.  Interesting bit of stats: the population of Istanbul is 15 million (plus all those not counted!) and the city boasts 3000 mosques, the population of Venice is around 650,000 and it has 140 churches. That’s roughly the same ratio. As a matter of interest 1/3 of the churches no longer operate as churches – they are galleries, museums, etc

Of course we went out for a stroll and to have dinner.  It was quite delightful and the light perfect for artists.  There are many artists in the area.

Where we stayed was so quiet and the backwater canals like mill ponds