So, so you think you can tell

It would take you a very long time to explore all the streets of Venice. And then there are still the islands.Most people visit Murano for the glass factories. Less people bother to visit the smaller island, Burano.

We took the waterbus to Burano. This is the island where you will find the famous lacework. And a great deal more. Brightly painted houses line the small canals. And when I mean brightly painted, I really mean just that. The story goes that the fishermen of Burano had trouble finding their houses after their regular visits to the bar. So they simply ended up painting the houses different colours so the lads could find their way home with less effort. Life must be really good on this island. We saw some very old people.

Of course the tourism business is quite lucrative for this little community, with lots of little shops selling the beautiful lacework.One shopkeeper insisted that I understood that some of the work may be done by machine, but it still gets done in Burano, and not in China. I did watch an old lady actually doing the lacework. It's just phenomenal to watch someone doing such fine work by hand.

It goes without saying that in a fishing community, one would probably find a good restaurant for seafood, and it ended up being a most relaxing afternoon, sitting under the umbrellas, watching the tourists go by. But it was even more fun watching the village's old folk go by. It was not long before we spotted an old man walking very deliberately, determined eyes fixed on the ground ahead of him, hands in the pocket, cigarette clenched between his wrinkled lips. Great photo moment missed. Except not. For the entire afternoon, this old man proceeded to very deliberately walk up and down the main shopping street of the village.Never allowing anyone or anything to distract him, or set him off course. Simply walking, like he was busy marking his territory.

It was difficult to leave the peaceful entertainment of Burano, and after such a relaxing day, it would only be right to end it off at San Marco, listening to some music. I was astonished that a small ensemble consisting of piano, flute, clarinet, accordion, double bass and violin, could play the entire first movement of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.

Last night we stopped to help a couple wondering aimlessly with suitcases in tow. You see this often. The guy, desparately trying to look like he has everything under control. It's just around the next corner, dear. With the woman looking tired, irritated and on the verge of exploding with accusations. Tonight, we saw a poor guy with his entire family. It's just so wrong to not want to help. The poor guys.

You do eventually get the hang of Venice. But you need time.