Venezia

Or: My favorite place on earth.

I know, Ladies and Gentlemen, it's been over a month, possibly two, since I've been in Venice. But here it is, your very own post on my favorite place. Just so you all know, this is taken pretty much verbatim from my hard copy journal (I keep it because I am vain and am absolutely in love with my cursive handwriting).


April 28th, 2008

For the past 4 days we've been in Venice, and I remember exactly why this is my favorite city on earth. Richard (program director) says it's because of the sun reflecting off the water, and I agree. I think the water ripples and makes the whole city shimmer, casting a veil of effervescent light over the city. It combines some of my favorite things: sea water, boats, and beautiful old buildings. I could spend forever here. I love all of the city, I love its appeal to the masses, the way the city thrives and plses with life during the day. I love its intimate corners and alleys, the way it sparkles at night, the classical quartets and quintets in St Mark's at night and how the whole square transforms into an ad hoc ballroom after the sun sets and the tourists leave the city. I love the dirt on the walls and the seaweed on the stairs, the boats weaving through canals and the traghetti bumping into the stations and stops. Some people love this city only at night, when only the Italians and genuine Venetians are left. I love this city not despite of its flaws but because of them. This is the only city that is more magical and more real with every passing day I spend here.

We left Friday morning excruciatingly early. I woke up at 6 and was out of the house by 645/650. We were supposed to catch a 710 bus from Siena to Florence and catch the 915 train from there. However, since Friday was a Holiday (April 25th is Liberation Day, or the day that the Allies took Rome) the normal schedule didn't apply.So we got to the Bus Station and there was no bus. Mike, his mom and mom's friend took a taxi to get to the Train Station in Siena. They took a train from Siena to Florence to Bologna to Padova. Jane, Viv and I got in Richard's car and drove to Florence to catch a train to Bologna then to Padova. We all met up again at the Scrovegni Chapel where we had a small picnic Lunch. The 5 of us (Mike, Jane, Richard, Viv and I) all went into the chapel to see the Giotto frescoes. This was especially exciting because I got to see the fresco I copied up close and personal. Freaking Exciting. It made the whole chapel more of a personal experience and brought be closer to it. I want to go back to the Uffizzi at some point so I can see the egg tempera I copied as well. We also saw the Church of St Anthony, who is my favorite Saint (patron of Lost items. He's pretty much the only person I pray to.) The church was ok, I had no real connection with it short of it was cool to see my favorite saint. After Saint Anthony's we headed to Venice by a local train. We got in around 530 and checked into our Hotel the Dtella Alpina (right near the Train Station).

We had 3 singles and a double, and somehow I ended up with the double all to myself. We met at 630 to take a boat ride around teh city. Unfortunately it started raining just as awe left the hotel. It also dropped about 10 degrees so it was really very cold (I also didn't dress for it to be cold). We dropped Mike, Mom, and Friend off at St Mark's to chech in and drove around for a bit. We picked them up about half an hour later and headed to dinner at the Trattoria Tre Archi at about 8. The food was really quite good, I had a veggie calzone. Afer we decided to go out, but by the time I got to the Rialto I was having shooting pains in my stomach and decided to walk back home on my own. I woke up the next day at 830 and got breakfast and waited for the others.

We all met up and headed out to San Marco to start sightseeing. We got coffee at Florian's, the oldest Cafe in Europe. A cappuccino cost 4 euro. Ridiculous. After, we hopped on a boat to go to the Peggy Guggenheim Museum which was amazing. She collected a lot of contemporary people like Dali and Picasso. It was really incredible some of the art she had in her house. After we went to San Giorgio but we couldn't go up the tower, and after that everything gets kind of hazy. The whole weekend has been full of changed plans. Honestly I can't remember what we did that day vs what we did today. At the end of it, we had seen Saint Rocco's, which is where I had a panic attack because everyone had left the church and I am terrified of being forgotten and left behind. We also saw the Ducal Palace, went up the tower at San Giorgio, saw glassblowing, shopped, and saw the Peggy. We also went to the Accademia. Last night Mike and I walked Mom and Friend back to their hotel. After, we sat in San Marco for a bit drinking prosecco and listening to quartets. It was spectacular.

The next day we left for Siena, and the rest is history (hopefully to be posted about later on.)

Later!

A little change of pace

Alright, I've done it. I deleted my lj.

In all honesty, I never used the thing anyway, not that I use this one more than the other, but really, it seemed rather pointless to keep myself attached to it. Plus there are just too many things I just don't want on there anymore, so I guess it makes sense to just delete it. Sweep out and what not.

Anyway, that means that this blog will be taking on the additional role of every day life. Sorry 'bout it, folks, but sometimes I need to vent to an anonymous group, and you all happen to be the lucky ones. I'll still keep you all posted on places I've been (note to self, remember post on Venice, Philly, and the last week in Italy) but you'll also get updates on stuff I'm doing at work (like hand carving and learning how to use the stupid stain thinger). So, just so you all know, that's what's heading your way : )

Later all.

Yeah Yeah Yeah, I know

Hey all,

Finally back in the States (ok, that's a lie, I've been back for over two weeks now. Yes, my luggage is still unpacked. Did you expect anything else?)

That's about it. Thought I'd let y'all know.