A Check in the List of a Lifetime

Venice: Living in Paintings, drifting into the sunset.

Now, graciously, Christine volunteered to take me to Venezia (somewhere she’s seen four times!), for it was my first trip, and a place that I had been dying to see my whole life. For about 7 years now, I’ve longed to stroll along the Venetian canals, capture a picture of St. Mark’s Basilica, and chase a famous pigeon. And with the help and guidance of my gracious host, I finally was able to do so (and much more!).

If you have never been to Venice, add it to your life list immediately. Just exiting the station, I felt as though I was living in a dream when a glittering green sea lay before me to say “Buongiorno! It’s about time!”

True to form (and the only option we had), we took a water taxi to our first stop of the San Giorgio Maggoire; an iconic church I’ve been studying frequently in my Grand Tour art history class. On the way, I sat in the front of the boat and tried to soak up all of Venice’s grandeur and glory, but I could only swell with happiness as the waves splashed along our boat in the beginning of my big adventure.

The San Giorgio Maggoire offers a completely breathtaking view of Saint Mark’s Square & Basilica and I think this view alone was my favorite of the whole trip. From the Maggoire, you have a clear view of what makes Venice so spectacular, and you feel one with the serenity of the water, and are undoubtedly struck with the awesomeness of a phenomenally structured, impressively decorated, undeniably gorgeous sinking city. We were less impressed with the inside of the Church, but we were glad we saw it’s simply decorated inside.

Our next stop, after all of our “oou-ing” and “ahh-ing” was St. Mark’s Square and Basilica. Now, I’ve seen a lot of Byzantine art…especially in this trip, and I’ve never been hit with its power until I saw the inside of the St. Mark’s Basilica. With its grand ceilings and endless supply of gold artworks, it is certainly a spectacle of religious splendor, but with a real lack of cheesiness, falsehood or, surprisingly, commercialism. For all of the glittering insides, St. Mark’s still absolutely promotes a sense of reverence and holiness. The tourists (and there were quite a lot of us) automatically seem to be so awestruck that there’s no time for rudeness or loudness, even if you were a young, uninterested kid. This Basilica has something to see and admire for everyone, despite any religious ties or affiliation. Just the preserved mosaics in the separate museum alone is enough to make any sensible person with an appreciation for history say “wow” at the 12^th century vibrant gems.

After I explored the inside, I ventured to the balcony, where I wanted to scream, “I’m King of the World!” over the scene of endless Venetian waters and the numerous crowds and couples below me. I refrained, but it really was that freeing and exciting.

Chris and I also hit the Accademica, but I wouldn’t recommend it anywhere beyond the Canaletto, Longhi and Guardi paintings. Veronese’s House of Levi is also quite impressive, but I would say the true gem of the museum is Titain’s unsung Pieta. You know a painting really is full of greatness when you admire it without knowing who the famous artist is behind the work. It makes the artist more legitimate somehow when you discover and admire his greatness on your own, without instruction or someone else’s opinion.

The rest of our Venetian adventure was full of slips and spills that made us laugh, but made the tourist traps of Venice very upsetting. I’m leaving it out, but I was disappointed at how commercial everything seemed to become. Sort of like we were trapped in Disney, and that this glorious masterpiece was no more than a dying money maker. Cynical and sad, and not the way I like things to go, especially when the sun shines on it like that.

But, Chris and I ended our day with an unforgettable stroll along the Grand Canal at sunset, and we lived in a true Turner painting, singing along to our favorite Coldplay songs, and dreaming of our days gone by, and even more exciting ones to come.

We caught the train to Padova shortly after, and Christine spent about 40 minutes casually chatting with locals as I watched the last hours of my Italian Grand Tour go by. I think I am most thankful for the genuine experiences of this trip, and that both Liz and Christine provided not only the “things to see and do” with gracious, open hearts and smiles, but that they brought me into their genuine Spanish and Italian worlds of culture, cuisine and welcome unlike any other person I know…and I can truly say I am forever grateful to them for the unforgettable moments of my once-and-a-lifetime trip, and into their real ways of learning, living and loving like the natives do.

You girls both mean the world to me, and I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to re-pay you for all you have given me over these last 10 days. You are part of every irreplaceable memory, and without a doubt, your kindness, friendship and love will stay in my memory and heart forever.

Just like vision of the pink and yellow sunset gracing the San Giorgio Maggiore on a cool March day, as I swung my feet above the Grand Canal, and listened to the sounds of a closing day in Italy.

Ciao bella.

Hope you enjoyed the ride.

xxx

Verona: Where for art thou, Romeo?

Of course, as an English major, I love to learn about great literature, and visit settings for my favorite stories. But this time, it was the little romantic in me who wished to see and swoon before the balcony where Romeo “woo-ed” Juliet. In all honesty, we’re not even sure Shakespeare existed, so of course, this is a “guess” of where it “may” have happened… well… err.. it doesn’t matter!

The beautiful part of the balcony lies in the love letters that the present lovers, dreamers and hopeful singles from all around the world, who have written to their lovers of present, past or future. People come from all over the world to see this balcony of such a legendary love story, and leave their own promises or hope for their own real life love story to come true. Some were in languages I couldn’t decipher, and some were just plain poetry. Even though Romeo and Juliet may have never lived or loved, it is refreshing and comforting to see such an outpour of hope for the reality of love and relationships. In an age of digitized romances and rampant cynicism, how nice it is to know that one timeless love affair inspires millions to make a pilgrimage to this place, to cherish the hope that someday, there may be a real life Romeo waiting for us outside our balcony. Of all that is traditional, practical, right or wrong, and there may actually be someone who inspires such beautiful poetry as this, and who dares and dreams to love eternally .

Verona was also where Christine and I had a very traditional Italian lunch: handmade pumpkin ravioli, Veronese red wine, and delectable bread to go with our two hour stay. We munched, we chatted, we spilled stories and never a drop of that delicious vino.

A lovely day in another quiet Italian scene—and a day that was full of hope for all of us who find a real pleasure in the notion that indeed, reality tells us that romance is not dead, and true love can never die.

Also, we climbed to the top of this Bell Tower in the middle of the main piazza, and explored the city from a sky-high view. We looked far and away into the hills of Verona and beyond.

“When he shall die,

Take him and cut him out in little stars,

And he will make the face of heaven so fine

That all the world will be in love with night,

And pay no worship to the garish sun.”

Act 3, Scene 2

Happy Travels,

xx

Sipping cappuccinos, strolling in piazzas, eating pizzas...sweet living in Padova

With a bit of rest, and the church bells of Padova’s San Antonio’s Basillica calling me to rise on Thursday morning, I was ready to roll out and explore the medieval town before me. Unlike an Italian city with “many tourist attractions,” Padova is a completely untouched gem of a city, and its piazzas are subtle and understated, yet still glorious in architecture and alive with a community buzz. In her own right, Padova has a lot to offer to art lovers, with Giotto’s masterpiece of a chapel, and the Prato della Valle is a staple to anyone interested in Italian culture.

But, even in this more tranquil and personable city, there is a vivacious sense of Italian life and culture everywhere. There are cyclists, strollers, school children and mothers with carriages rolling down the cobblestone streets as soon as you step outside your door. In fact, as you approach each piazza (of three main ones), you can almost feel the square bursting with life even before you see what’s going on in the middle; and somehow, coming up to them from those narrow private streets of slender alleyways and little shops, it is always surprising to suddenly be in the midst of market vendors, fruit sellers and artisans. The people of Padova are polite and serene, but they still love to celebrate homegrown food and handmade goods on a sunny day with enthusiasm and excitement.

After taking time to stroll around in the sunshine, I got a bit lost near the main high street, Via Roma, and found myself in front of a lovely canal, with an exquisite pastry shop next door. I was sold immediately on Padovian pastry as I tried a croissant with a smooth and liquidy orange marmalade in the middle. Made my morning, changed my life.

After strolling down to Christine’s piazza to meet her for lunch after her class, I used my downtime to do a little writing in the sunshine on an old stone fountain. Lovely J

Then, I met Christine and her good friend for lunch, and I had my first phenomenal pizza experience. With such great company and exquisite food before me, life for me was really truly sweet (and savory!). I gobbled down a piece of the artichoke, ham, olive and cheese pizza that Christine ordered, and in that first bite, I knew that the promise of unforgettable and incomparable pizza from the land of Italy wasn’t something that my favorite pizza place anywhere else could ever replicate.

With the rest of the sunny afternoon, Christine and I strolled along the main landmarks of Padova, stopping to sip on cappuccinos in local places, and trying my first gelato of the trip (two delectable scoops—no guilt). With the sunshine, the scenery and the fresh Italian air, Christine and I strolled along the ancient almond colored streets, and made our way through Italian history and splendor.

Of course, wine and pizza followed for dinner…and I couldn’t have been happier with such great company.Christine, Padova and I were off to the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Happy Travels,

xx