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When I was a kid I loved mazes. Venezia is one big maze of little alley ways, bridges and squares. I ended up cheating and used Google Maps to find my way. And then I watched people on Piazza San Marco.

Drahtesel had to stay at the camping ground today. He is not allowed into the centre of Venice. There are lots of stairs and lots of people.

I had lots of thoughts going through my head as I walked through Venice. I felt like an outsider observing, although I was part of it, just like everyone else. Just like others, I took selfies, and photos of beautiful canals flanked with old, historic buildings rising out of the water.

I looked at the people selling stuff to passers by. This year the hottest item is a ‘selfie’ rod. You can attach your iPhone to it and take a selfie from further away. Another hot item was a single rose. Almost everyone was asked if they want to buy one. Apparently I look destitute enough not to be asked asked. I am unshaven and don’t look too wealthy. And I’m alone.

People live here. I walked off the main route to Piazza San Marco, and came across a little court with washing hanging right across from one building to the opposite building. Kids were playing using a plastic loop to create huge soap bubbles. Many other buildings looked abandoned and were boarded up. I wonder how many are actually empty.

I couldn’t help thinking, this is a beautiful historic place. It may look like it did hundreds of years ago, but what happens here now is so different to back then. It is like a circus. Entertainment for the masses. Maybe I am just feeling melancholic at the moment. It is certainly a beautiful place to visit, and I enjoyed my walk around this beautiful city.