venice part ii

So. Venice.

I would give up my iPhone for Venice.

For these gorgeous canals, beautiful architecture, and drool-worthy cuisine.

Seriously, most amazing weekend ever.

We first headed to the elusive St. Marco’s Square that we had tried to locate the night before. Turns out it was quite a bit farther than we’d thought–a water taxi ride away!

We found the square absolutely swarming with people decked out in festive masks.

Travel around Europe, and you’ll probably stumble on many a magnificent fountain

But how many of them are flowing with wine?

You could actually grab a cup of this red wine from a nearby stand!

St. Marc’s Basilica

And this adorable little nugget playing in the Carnevale confetti is quite possibly my favorite shot of the semester

For someone who is slightly freaked out by masked costumes, Carnevale was a tiny test of my bravery

Although it really wasn’t that bad in the daylight. But this guy coming around the corner at me at night? Eek

The elaborateness of these people’s costumes was INSANE.

Who is really inside of them?

And do they really derive that much enjoyment from getting dressed up like this?

I hope my tone doesn’t come across as judging…because I’m not. And obviously we had to join the masquerade, too. Here is a glimpse into the masking process…

And here is my friend Christian’s exceptionally creepy mask.

Last part of Venice coming atcha in a few days with the quintessential Venetian experience–a gondola ride :)