More Venice: Murano, Burano and San Michele

The second day which Bob and I were in Venice, we spent visiting some of the surrounding islands; Murano, Burano, and San Michele.  It was Monday, November 23, 2018, and the temperature was a little cooler., and like the previous day it was filled with intermittent rain.  We weren't going to let that wash away our good spirits as we tried to figure out how to navigate to these destinations.  By the end of the day, we felt like we were mastering the Venice "subway system" - more commonly known as the ACTV "vaporetto" or public water taxi.

It took us about 50-minutes to get to the island of Murano.  According to Wikipedia, Murano’s reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and the destruction of the city’s mostly wooden buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano glass is still associated with Venetian glass.  We didn't stay long, but watched a fascinating glass-making demonstration, and found some gelato to enjoy in town. 

To be honest, I was more excited to get to Burano . . . and I hope you can see why!  Once a fisherman's village, the homes were all brightly painted in distinct vibrant colors to help the men find their home when they returned after dark.  In the 16th century the woman began making lace with needles and Burano became famous for it's handmade lace - a trade not practiced much anymore due to the extensive labor required and high cost.

The leaning campanile (bell tower) is an iconic structure on the island.

  

And much like we had seen on the main island of Venice, the entry doors have a the option of being reinforced with board to prevent the high tides and rain from flooding the homes.

But the best is yet to be seen!  You just might want to think again if you ever thought you'd seen a gorgeous rainbow of colors . . .

Doesn't it just make your heart happy!

Leaving Burano, we took the vaporetto to the island of San Michele.  It became a cemetery in 1807, when under French occupation it was decreed that burial on the main Venetian Islands was unsanitary. I was expecting a much more dark and dismal scene, especially after Burano, but was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the graves were decorated with colorful flowers, and many even had electric candles glowing to represent the spirits of the dead continuing to shine brightly (or so I like to think).

I think I love cemeteries because they symbolize hope!  Hope that because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will be reunited for eternity with loved ones who have "graduated" from mortality and await our arrival in the kingdoms of heaven.

With Thanksgiving in my heart for this wonderful time with family (and new found friends), we leave behind our European adventures once again.  In addition to the fantastic places we saw and the exciting experiences we enjoyed, I am particularly grateful that I had the opportunity to testify of the love of God and His son, Jesus Christ to three individuals and share with them a copy of "The Book of Mormon"; a companion to the Bible and another testament of Christ.  As I travel the world, this is my foremost desire, to share the gospel and build the Kingdom of God on earth.