Venice is an island. In fact, it’s numerous islands because of the canals. Bridges of varying sizes connect the islands. The bridges often have stairs, making the city a nightmare for disabled persons or tourists with lots of luggage. Venice has no land motor vehicles. The streets and alleys are far too narrow for even Vespas. Commuters and tourists alike walk or use the mass transit boats, or vaporetti, to get around.
Venice’s geography presents interesting challenges. Once in Venice, boats or human-powered hand carts move items to businesses or homes. Anything that leaves Venice has to follow the reverse route. In the mornings, workers collect trash into carts to be loaded on boats. If someone gets injured or suffers a heart attack, an ambulance boat ferries them to the hospital. See below. If the patient doesn’t survive the hospital stay, a boat may take the deceased and mourners to the cemetery, which is on the island in the background of the photo.
Prepare to do A LOT of walking if you come to Venice. Sensible shoes are a must. (Apologies to my friends in the Cult of Cute Shoes.) The Hokas we brought have been a godsend for negotiating the streets. Instead of fighting crazy drivers and scooter riders, you’ll just be swimming against the tide of tourists.
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