My aunt has been transcribing the journal that my great grandmother made during the trip, and I found these entrires:
4/23/1910 "Arose at 7 o'clock and left Pisa at 8:30 for Venice. This was an all day ride through an interesting country over a high mountain and thru many tunnels. Vegetation is much further advanced here, and the farmers were at work in the fields. In many places they were cutting grass; quite as many women in the fields as men. The country is covered with wheat fields and grape vines with olives well up the mountain sides. No fences and no cattle in the fields.
We reached Venice shortly after 7; there were the usual hotel runners but no "busses", no cabs; instead were hundreds of gondolas, all black, all steered by one man who stands on the rear and paddles with one oar. We got into one of these with our luggage and rowed away through the Grand Canal to our pension where we find a large front room on the Canal with four big windows where the sun can shine in.
4/24 "Awoke with the sun shining into our room and after the usual coffee, made our way to Saint Mark's, which was more wonderful than I imagined. After luncheon we spent two hours in a steamboat on the Grand Canal. I was surprised to find there are so many bridges and one can really walk all around. I believe there is not a horse in the city; all hauling is doine in boats and this afternoon, we saw a great many little boats that had come in with fruits and vegetables. I am sure we shall find much of interest here."
Wow, that is a great photo of St. Mark's square - had it been raining? and Jonathan - that journal sounds amazing. Tht she both kept a journal and the journal has stayed with the family is a great gift.
4/23/1910
"Arose at 7 o'clock and left Pisa at 8:30 for Venice. This was an all day ride through an interesting country over a high mountain and thru many tunnels. Vegetation is much further advanced here, and the farmers were at work in the fields. In many places they were cutting grass; quite as many women in the fields as men. The country is covered with wheat fields and grape vines with olives well up the mountain sides. No fences and no cattle in the fields.
We reached Venice shortly after 7; there were the usual hotel runners but no "busses", no cabs; instead were hundreds of gondolas, all black, all steered by one man who stands on the rear and paddles with one oar. We got into one of these with our luggage and rowed away through the Grand Canal to our pension where we find a large front room on the Canal with four big windows where the sun can shine in.
4/24
"Awoke with the sun shining into our room and after the usual coffee, made our way to Saint Mark's, which was more wonderful than I imagined. After luncheon we spent two hours in a steamboat on the Grand Canal. I was surprised to find there are so many bridges and one can really walk all around. I believe there is not a horse in the city; all hauling is doine in boats and this afternoon, we saw a great many little boats that had come in with fruits and vegetables. I am sure we shall find much of interest here."
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment