Venice for Christmas started with a water-taxi ride on the Grand Canal, under the Rialto Bridge…
…hotel check-in, don the nice duds, then head off to St. Mark’s Basilica for the special midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Yeah, #EPIC is the only way we roll on the #WMFT. Doing things epically timed in epic locations for the most moving and memorable experiences. Check.
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We met a lovely couple of Brit ladies in the mass of people outside the mass entrance. We connected quickly in conversation, in our shared love of travel, exploration, and mutual dislike of the big throng pressing forward to get seats in the Basilica. I mean, it’s a freakin’ church, people!
Ultimately, we made it inside and all was well.
The ornate gold ceiling and overall spiritual vibe filled the space and my heart.
I’m not a religious person, but I can tell you that attending this mass was a beautiful thing.
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I personally love the holidays and being away from my family this year was tough despite the World Tour being awesome. So what did my family do? They made me feel hugely mega loved by doing one of my most favorite things….. STICK HEADS!!! I got my own stick head so that we could be together for the holiday! And I could be in all the pics.. duh. All the pics below. :))))
The only thing better than stick heads are real heads.
I have the best family there is, and best mini-mobile family in Brian and all the friends we’ve seen and met along the way.
What’s better in life than the great people we get to share it with?
I’d say nothing.
Merry Christmas, my friends.
XO
Note my stick head blue steeling off to the right.
Nora is not so down with me visiting, but Carolyn, Lori, and I are stoked!
Shannon’s pal is totally leavin’ me hangin’!
Is it time for presents yet???? Hangin’ with my girls.
Dad, Liz, and me rockin’ the blue steel. ‘Course.
Did my part in the kitchen.
Is that me, or just my stick head?? I think it’s actually me. Special night, the midnight mass, and Christmas. Yay. 🙂
Oh yeah, we chilled out for Christmas day itself, rocked out on our computers planning next legs of the WMFT, and of course indulging in wine and goodies. Holiday celebration and relaxation, PERF! Wine equals more laughs for sure for us. Brian and I can get pretty ridiculous. Just ask our 8-way teammates. The World Tour as it is happening now, the idea was actually born when we were boozing it up. True story. As such, I have a fond place in my heart for booze.
I actually did go out running too, the one non-Christmas morning we had in Venice. PERF again, weird.
St. Mark’s Basilica. 🙂
The Rialto Bridge.
My usual flare for the artsy fartsy.
I call this one… Narrow street with the kitty.
Cool shot with the flag too. 🙂
Doors.
Yup, I’m not beneath the sexy mirror selfie. Go for it, ladies! It’s fun so why the hell not. :)))
St. Marks’ Piazza! Where we played Flingsock on Christmas night! Check out my VIMEO CHANNEL for all the videos from the World Tour.. lots of bucket list and ridiculousness. :)) (Notice how perfectly the dude walking Waldo”d this shot between my legs.. nice work, dude.)
Happy times in this lovely place. :))
