Despite the blistering heat, and the high traffic of tourist; Venice was amazing.
As we pushed our way through the doors, the Grand Canal unfolded before us; and I was completely speechless as I watched a colorful mixture of boats and water buses weaving along their respective routes. Yet as the afternoon slowly closed in, Venice revealed itself as a beautiful Italian city, and not simply a metropolis underpinned by tourism. While I doubt I’ll ever return here, I loved feeling the intimacy of the small quiet streets that don’t beat a path to the Piazza. The evening sun reflected a warm glow off the water and at that moment, I fell irrevocably in love with Venezia.
Venice is a fully pledged Byzantine city, beautiful and inspiring beyond words with its lion of San Marco, ornate churches, Murano glass, countless canals, 400 bridges, 118 islands and hundreds of cafés and bars- big, small and tiny. It is slightly surreal to be faced with a city with only gondolas and boats and no cars, buses & vespas! The tangled lanes can only be explored ‘a piedi’ given there really is no other transportation on land. If you like to get to know a new city by walking extensively through it, Venice is definitely the place for you. And as the rest of the day came and went, more exploring took place as well as fantastic food and great times with friends.
I loved sharing the lifestyle of this fabulous country with the people around me. I loved rambling through the backstreets of Italy, finding people who welcomed me wholeheartedly, regardless of my inability to converse in their beautiful language. I loved sharing exceptionally good food with travel friends. I loved the picturesque countryside, the dramatic coastline, the monumental structures to Christendom and the incomparable passion with which food is served. Italy is a truly magnificent and magical place, and I know there will be a time, after travelling to other destinations around the world, when I will be drawn back to this place that has so captivated my heart and soul.
L: Gondola ride with Amy, Wendy, Katika and Ali
R: Wandering aimlessly in the backstreets of Venice with Hugo & Troy.
I hope I was able to convey to you in mere words the richness and splendour of sights, tastes, smells and sounds I experienced! Visually my most vivid memories are.. Venice from the Grand Canal, the poppies in bright bloom everywhere in rural Italy, the most sumptuous gelato, and the ‘Acqua Alta’ in Piazza San Marco.
Someday, I hope to return here, and it will be to roam the backstreets and soak up the daily life of this unique and intimate lagoon city that is so unlike any other place I have visited.
Grazie Italia, grazie!
