Where's my happy Ending?

Now I know what you're thinking after that title, silly Brittany, there's no way you can unhappy, you're in Italy having an amazing adventure full of new and exciting things. And it's true, I am, and I'm having a fabulous time doing it ... but honestly, if there is one thing that Italy is missing - it's someone to be in love with! This is probably the most romantic and adorable place I've ever been, and not having a special someone to share it with, not so fantastic. True, I have my girlfriends and all of the new friends I've made here, but Europeans are simply the most romantic people I've ever met! And this weekend, in Venice, I realized that as never before!
Venice is beautiful! It's probably my favorite city in Italy, second maybe only to Perugia, because its where I live. But Venice is unbelievable! It is literally like something out of a movie, a mix between Pirates of the Carribean and Peter Pan. You can be told that there is water where streets should and boats where cars should be, but until you see it in person, theres no way to understand it. It is the coolest place I think I've ever seen. And while its a pretty large place, its pretty impossible to get lost. Jess and I got off the train and headed straight for the Piazza San Marco, or so we thought. Because really, there is no straight streets from one place to the other. It is literally a maze of backroads and winding alleyways, all very safe, just a little confusing. I think we took some wrong turns somewhere and eventually had to buy a map. After of course accidentally bumping into the Realto bridge. We took pictures, not realizing that that was exactly what we had found, and later came upon it again only to realize that we had in fact just bumped into the famous Realto bridge! We eventually made our way to St.Mark's Square, a really cool open square surrouned on three sides with short rows of buildings and loggia (rows of arches that extend past a buildings fascade to create a covered walkway) and on the third side with the St.Mark's Cathedral. Which is probably the most beautiful cathedral fascade I've ever seen. It has three arches, one large one flanked by two smaller ones and they are so ornately decorated, each top of the arch full of a gorgeously colored fresco. And many tiny flecks of gold mosaic looking peices. This probably isn't even an accurate description, but its all I can manage to put into words at this point. And the inside is just as incredible. The ceiling is literally covered in this gold flaked mosaic. And the Cathedral is huge! It was one of the biggest, most ornately decorated (as far ceilings go) cathedral that I've seen.
Before heading inside the church though, we climbed the bell tower next to the Cathedral - and again I say, if you ever come to Italy, climb the bell towers, they'll give you the best views you can get. And the views from this bell tower, did not disappoint! The water surrounding Venice stretched out for miles, and you could see the city for what it actually was, and island. It was phenomenal. Especially when, much to out surprise, the bells started chiming! And chiming is probably not the most accurate description as chime denotes a small, tiny noise and this was anything but tiny. These massive bells were swaying almost violently back and forth clanging and banging marking off the hour (it had just turned 2 o'clock) and it was awesome to be in the tower while this happened (even though my hearing might be worse for it!).
That night, we ate the typical Venice meal of fresh seafood and did some touristy souvenir shopping and picked up some beautiful Murano glass pieces (something that Venice is famous for).
The next day we wandered more around the city, hopping on and off, the vapporetto which is the public transportation there, and in fact is a ferry boat, not the usual bus or train. But even in our wanderings and stumbling into various beautiful squares and churches, we never got lost. Venice isn't a small place, but once you get inside the little back streets, which are more like walkways than streets since they are sans cars, you literally just walk in circles until you're right back where you started. And usually, that means you get back to the Grande Canal. Which is the main "street" in Venice and probably the most well known, as it houses the Realto and begins near the Piazza San Marco. And it was this interesting color blue. Not necessarily crystal clear, but sort of a hazy aqua color, quite pretty.
Venice (Venizia in Italia) is a gorgeous gorgeous city, full of the smell of ocean, beautiful glas sculptures and gondolas as far as the eye can see. But it is such a romantic spot, going without that special someone tends to feel a bit like you were cheated. So my suggestion, if you ever go, go with someone you love, or unfortunately, you might leave feeling like you missed out on some of Venice's charm.