Venezia- Burano e Torchello

Up at 7:45, shower, email check, then met the girl from North Carolina at 8:30, took the bus to Venice, then a vaporetto to the Rialto Markets (by the way, those boats are the best invention ever, as they are almost the only escape from the insane heat!) where I had another wonderful fresh fruit breakfast, then back to Piazzale Roma to catch the vaporetto to Murano, then one to Burano and then to Torchello. We wandered Torchello, which is much more wild and empty, but the big deal there is the chiesa (church), parts of which date back to 639 (also, there is a stone seat that is meant to be Attila the Hun's throne). Not much else there (although I made a lifesaving purchase of a fan, which is the best 4 euro I have spent), so we headed back to Burano (known for handmade lace) and wandered the shops there- got my first fruit gelato, very refreshing. Took the very long vaporetto ride back to Venice, then went down neat the Accedemia to find the trattoria (Gia Shiavi) that Dad and Nomi went to every day while they were here. It definately lived up to its reputation- the owner was friendly, the food was cheap, and there were lots of options (plus, we were the only tourists in there, always a good sign). It was basically a one-at-a-time antipasto/crostino plce, but I had some really great, tasty food (going back tomorrow). We then wandered up the Rialto area, where I split off to take the vaporetto to San Marco. Actually went in this time, and it is AMAZING- completely mosaic covered, very intricate... awe-inspiring. Wandered the piazza a bit- the restaurants all had musicians playing outside (one with a classical waltz, another had a jazz band...). Very cool atmosphere. Wandered a bit though the shopping area on the way to the Rialto (still trying to find a new purse) where I sat on the steps by the water until it got too splashy, when I moved to the steps of the bridge to write. Wandered a bit, got lost, found the nearest vaporetto stop, and while I was waiting had a nice call to Mom and Abby. Finally got back to Marghera, picked up a ticket to Perugia from the train station, now bed.