Dreaming back to Venice, a sweet kiss under the Bridge of Sighs

Finally, I got to ride the "Gondola" and was thrilled. I had been eyeing this long and narrow boat with pointed ends for a long time. The boat is 11 meters long but only 1.9 meters wide at its widest point, allowing only two people to sit side by side. This design makes it easy to navigate through the narrow waterways of the city. Six of us boarded one boat and started chatting with the tall, handsome Italian boatman in his blue-and-white striped T-shirt. As the boat leisurely glided through the green waters, we could see the blue sky above and touch the walls that had stood for many years. We sang "Let's Row Our Boats" to the sound of the rippling water, and our singing drew waves of greetings from tourists on the arched bridges.

Soon, we arrived under the "Bridge of Sighs." This stone bridge connects the Doge's Palace to the old prison. In the past, prisoners sentenced in the palace would pass over this bridge to reach their cells, catching a last glimpse of the beautiful, free world outside. Hence, the name "Bridge of Sighs." However, today it holds a more romantic meaning. It is said that if lovers kiss under this bridge while passing by boat, their love will last forever.