Entering San Marco…

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Originally uploaded by John Coe.

One of the most amazing passages into San Marco in Venice is from the far end. (Entering along the side that runs along Calle Larga de l’Ascension.) You walk through an archway and the world opens up in front of you. Day or night, San Marco is an experience. The archway, fyi, is also a nice vantage point from which to observe, but not be overwhelmed by, the daytime crowds.

During the day, we enjoyed scooting through quickly and people watching. Tourists from all walks of life crowd into this square…fresh off the train or (worse yet) recentlydisembarkedd from a cruise ship. Still, the open minded people watcher finds enjoyment in the chaos. I get a kick out of watching the various native cultures meld seamlessly. It was comforting to find that the “ugly American” was more of a myth here. All tourists are…tourists. 🙂

At night, San Marco comes alive again, but with a different vibe. Gone are the train and boat dwellers, and in come the hotel dwellers. People walk and dance. Me…I take pictures. Love it.