Leaving Genoa to Venice

Early start as our train was leaving the station at 7:19. We had to give up breakfast which likely included coffee as they did not start service until 7 AM, by which time, we were long gone.
Genoa has a very large and beautiful train station which unfortunately does not include escalators or elevators so we dragged our bags down and up yet another set of stairs. We had another compartment style train (not our favourite type) but we did figure out where we could leave our bags as it could not fit in the space with us.
We reach Milan with a comfortable 40 minute gap to catch our next train but we need not have worried as it is a very large station with platforms aligned on one level. We have even perfected a technique for getting the bags up the train steps. Really nice trip chatting with a young couple from Australia who were doing a similar trip to us only for a somewhat shorter duration. He really likes the idea of Canada and has never touched snow. Told him that providing he timed his visit right, there would be no problem with the snow criteria.
Arrived in Venice and it is stunning. John was really concerned about how we would get to the hotel as taxis here must operate somewhat differently. He need not have worried as the water bus is just outside the train station travelling to St. Mark Square every 9 minutes for 6.5 Euros. From St. Marks (San Marco) Square our hotel is only about a 10 minute walk. About is the operative word as the streets twist and wind in ways which make Barcelona’s streets appear as boulevards. There is the added complication of needing bridges to cross the canals. With directions from about ½ dozen people, we had a delightful surprise as the Mercurio Hotel is right on a canal and we overlook it. While writing this, John is watching the gondolas, drinking Italian Merlot and chatting to the gondoliers and their clients. About every 3 or 4 gondola has musical accompaniment with an accordion, guitar or singer or a combination. Right now, it is an accordion and singer doing ‘O Sol O Mio”
Earlier we had taken a walk through San Marco Square along the Grand Canal. In spite of advertising which is was sad to see, the Square and the Doge Place are majestic. Even with the aid of a map is still not a job for the faint hearted. Everywhere you look there are tourists, frequently dragging bags, looking just as confused as we are. As we suspected from our first experience in Rome, gelato is wonderful and we are considering going on a pizza and gelato diet.
When we get home, I am going to research how these buildings manage not to rot with their foundations permanently sitting in water.
It is now7:30 PM and the church bells have rung. We are going to head off to find some dinner which is always a bit of an adventrure as you do not know what you will be getting ~ lady or the tiger?
More on Venice tomorrow.