YOVO

Taven Sparks

We stood stressed at the ticket counter in Venice, Adam, Danielle, Kacey, Courtney, Ryker and I, as we tried to find the best price while also determining if the glass blowing factory on the Island of Murano was going to even be worth it. After all, it was on another island, it cost money and the factory was going to close in exactly one hour. Finally, we said, “YOVO!” (That’s short for you only Venice once– maybe twice if you’re really cool.) Eighteen Euro later with day passes in hand, our group set out on our adventure. What were we getting ourselves into? We had to be back from the island by 7:00 or else we’d have no way to get from Venice to Florence. A city built on water with the only form of transportation being a boat (unless you could walk on water which would come in handy in Venice,) was difficult to navigate, but we really wanted to see the Island of Murano.

We jumped on the boat, and the Californians (Danielle and Kacey) were right at home. It was nice to get out of the claustrophobic city of Venice with its overcrowded tourist filled walkways. While sitting on the back of the boat overlooking the water, Ryker said, “I’d pay just to have this boat drive me around all day.” I agreed. It was different than the many hours we’d spent riding on trains, or walking on foot, and it was really relaxing.

When we got to Murano, known as the Glass Island, and directed to where the glass demonstrations were, it wasn’t what I was expecting. Was this what we came all the way to see? We went inside and the show began. The room was extremely hot, as if we were walking into an oven. Beads of sweat began dripping down my face. Again, was this what we came all the way to experience? A man casually holding a stick with the end glowing instantly created a glass horse. Just like that. It appeared to take less effort than roasting a marshmallow. Seriously! I couldn’t believe that he created something that amazing with such little effort. Next, we were shuffled into the glass store where all of their items were on display. There was a blue horse that immediately caught my eye. I was reminded of my Broncos back home and the Colorado fans that bleed blue and orange. Go Peyton! Bo Broncos! Anyway, it was the fastest purchase I’ve ever made, and those that know me know that I’m not an impulsive buyer. I like to think everything through…but YOVO right Mom?! Plus the blue horse was 20 euro and I got it for 10.

The Island of Murano was actually more what I’d pictured Venice to look like. There were small shops everywhere with open walkways right on the water. If you’re ever hanging out in Venice, I really recommend a day trip to the “Glass Island.” It was most definitely worth the boat ride over.