Chaotic Venice

I remember as a little boy the first time I learnt of Venice and being amazed at the fact that such a town existed with boats and waterways to get around rather than cars and roads.  The images back then were of peaceful waterways with people being transported by gondola's or walking hand in hand along the paths, quite a romantic scenario was conjured up.  In reality the place is a crazy mass of people moving along the paths shoulder to shoulder and clashing head on with one another, boats of all descriptions vying for enough of the waterways, to make progress either up or down stream, it is utter chaos.  The local Italians, rather than serenading and wooing any visitors, are intent on extracting as many dollars out of your pockets, as they can, it is so bloody expensive!  Then the sun starts its way down in the West and the people or should I say day trippers, start to make a mass exit for other parts of the world, this is not the best time to board one of the many overloaded vaporetta's that ferry you up and down the canals of Venice.  Once they have gone, you do find some peaceful little canals and walkways, at the restaurants it is now easier to obtain a good table and in some parts, such as San Marco Square, the bands come out to play, it is here you find the romance and beauty of Venice, something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime, Viva Italia!