I’ve had the privilege of visiting Venice several times, wandering through its narrow streets. On the canal’s many bridges, I’ve  marveled at the determination of people to live in Venice—when it rains and the tide is in, everything floods and one would think Venice is sinking into the Adriatic. Maybe it is. Despite that, out come the umbrellas and the portable bridges and life goes on. It’s a beautiful place with a long history. And even when crowded with tourists, it doesn’t feel that way when you leave St. Mark Square and follow your nose in just about any direction.