Delightful Day Out

Mum and I took a day trip down to Venice last week. It's always funny to me to go back to my hometown and feel like a tourist - though it all comes with a deeply ingrained sense of familiarity, the places, streets, and buildings. We pass areas and note the differences, we go to old favorite spots. So much has changed, and yet so much is the same. It's interesting to see my small hometown shift to the new while holding onto the historical beauty. This time we loved to notice all the Italian inspired architecture and street names. We were calling them out as we drove around the island.

A cafe downtown was a perfect spot to try out - being in the middle of the week it wasn't busy, so we had a leisurely breakfast enjoying that almost Autumnal feel, clear blue sky filling the cafe with a sunny disposition, and coffee cups that looked like they were taken from Gilmore Girls. 

We drove through the Epiphany Cathedral parking lot to see the grand construction ongoing. It is massive, and it looks like it's being meticulously designed. The bell tower is huge, with Italian bells hanging. I am thrilled that a church is installing real bells. There's a Pietà sculpture installed on the outside of the building behind the tower. I cannot wait to go back to visit when it's all completed. When I will growing up my Dad maintained the lawn maintenance for this whole property, making friends with the priest, who would come visit us every now and then at our home. 

A visit to the jetty is a must, however, the jetty is still closed (due to hurricane damage from well over 1-2 years ago, sadly). So we hung out just next to the jetty in the Crow's Nest (a lovely upscale restaurant) parking lot to watch some boats come in and go out.

 

On every visit, we always drive by and stop to admire Dad's tree (planted in memory of him). It grows just a couple blocks from the beach, and is a mighty oak tree. The tree looks more robust and more full each time we visit it.

Whenever we can, we love to eat tacos at our favorite local Mexican spot, Mi Pueblo. It is so festive - the atmosphere feels like you are on vacation in a small Mexican village at night with lanterns and banners, music and authentic recipes. They had additional decorations for All Hallows' Eve which was fun. Chips and salsa land at your table within 11.5 seconds of sitting down. I am convinced you cannot be at this place in a bad mood - the cheery environment and delicious food elevate everyone.