BCers Visit Italy, Switzerland & France; Pt 5: Watery Wonders In Rome & Venice

WATER OVERFLOWED in Italy. We saw ancient, sometimes famous, fountains such as Trevi Fountain (above) where I suddenly felt transported into the movie classic Three Coins In A Fountain. With my back to the fountain, I tossed in my own three coins and made wishes for my daughter, husband and me.

In ancient times there were nearly 600 public basins and dozens of elaborate fountains in Rome providing the essence of life. Most fell in disrepair, perhaps causing illness, but were revitalized over centuries. They still exist today spilling out what is said to be safe, drinkable water for the public to enjoy.

I could not resist taking a delicious sip at the Barcaccia Fountain thought to have been created by baroque artist Bernini in the early 1600s. Although impossible to recognize in the photograph, I am drinking from a "leak" at the bow of a beautifully sculpted sunken boat.

Picturesque rivers steam through cities like murky mirrors of days gone by. The bridge pictured above is one of several in Rome crossing the Tiber.

At St. Mark's Square in Venice people took off their shoes and walked in several inches of sea water. These mini floods happen periodically because of the increasingly high tide of the Adriatic Sea and the slow sinking of the islands built on sandbars. Waiting ramps were quickly set up for people going into restaurants. While on the ramp, I was stunned when my camera dropped from my hand and just missed bouncing into the water. (Note to self ... buy a strap for the camera!)

During our gondola experience, we saw water reach the lower floor of buildings where we also noticed a bobbing bottle of water. A small bottle of drinking water cost over five dollars Canadian in some places. The free glass of water we expect at our tables in BC restaurants would generally cost extra during a meal in Italy. “Still water or sparkling?” the servers would ask.

One of the great watery wonders on the planet must surely be Venice (pictured above). This magical place was a highlight of our trip and is the subject of my upcoming post.

Find more liquid adventures from around the globe at Watery Wednesday.