Well my first journey into the history of Europe has been completed. After leaving campus at 2pm on Thursday a group of us headed to Venice by train. After stepping off the train the journey immediately began! First stop was our hostel, with a group of six we didn’t know what quite to expect. We booked through hostelworld.com and thanks to one of our members who has officially been named “Rick Steves Jr.” we found the small maroon door to the entrance of the office. (FYI: Rick Steves is the guru of European travel and the informational hotspot that all interested travelers seek as a resource, he’s built an entire empire off what traveling to Europe is all about, books, clothes, accessories, etc.; ricksteves.com if interested). Thank goodness for Jr. who did his homework, for my first official use of the train system and hostel world, it was nice to have a resource to learn from. It’s not quite as scary as I had originally thought, Magen and I should be able to handle it just fine. So the group of 6 guys and 2 girls coming from Texas, Nebraska, and Kansas arrived in Venice. Unfortunately, even though we booked through the same company our hostels were completely across the city from each other. We managed though with a 16 euro water bus ticket that was definitely worth it. 4 of us got sent to a hostel real close to San Marco Square, which was absolutely awesome, with A/C and all. Pictures coming soon, hopefully I can post the public link for the Facebook albums that I’ll be creating if I can get the slow and moody campus internet to cooperate!
Venice is a town from a different world. I don’t remember seeing one single car anywhere in the city that we went, maybe a city ordinance, I can’t help but wonder if the locals ever travel elsewhere, and if so, only by train? Having a little pooch in a bag was a popular accessory, a never ending maze of streets and alley ways, a “sinking” city that had us rocking all day long even when we left. As far as attractions the square was the main attraction, lots of stone streets that were laid no telling how many centuries ago, perfect little window picture opps framed with multitudes of floral accents. Of course the overpriced gondola rides were present, striped shirts and all. I took a green and white striped v-neck for one day and felt a little more Italian haha. Sadly, in all places we went this weekend graffiti was a popular past time of rebellious teenagers. I suppose it’s hard to clean off of stone when you can’t just paint over it. We definitely felt the feeling of being the foreigners, and have developed an even deeper appreciation for just how lost you can feel in a place and how nice it is to receive a caring soul’s aid. Some love you and some hate you, it is what it is. But after a long day of walking we turned it in with some cheap bottles of wine and friendly chit chat. The next day was buying ticket reservations for Florence, finding a store that could help me out with an international SIM card, and a quick trip to the glass blower’s island of Murano. An experience that was quite pleasant, kind of like the mini-Venice, with less tourists and more space for taking it all in. We had a group member who dreams of retiring as a glass blower in Italy someday and perfecting the dying art, genius if I do say so myself. The time flies in Europe, just like everywhere else, and it was time to depart for Florence before we knew it.
Florence arrival was a similar hostel story, we waited too long to book so we were split up again, but this time had a room for four people and it worked out perfect. As conservative student travelers, we’re easy to please, a cushioned place to lie down and somewhere to wash off and we’re happy. It’s hard not to be in a place as historical, cultural, and exciting as Italy. After checking in we ventured out with a bus ride to meet up again. Florence is a place where all walks of life meet and is much more of an accessible city than anywhere else I’ve been, with many more familiar English speakers around. After meeting people from Dallas, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, we liked the familiar comfort, but were quick to realize just how big this world of ours really is when witnessing the thousands of tourists within a square mile. We both had supermarkets near our hostels for a cheap food alternative which we took full advantage of. There was so much to see, where do I begin? Thanks to R.S. Jr. we had reservations to see THE David by Michelangelo in the Academia. Honestly, one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Sculpted in the early 1500s, it was a sight to see. We rounded the corner in the museum and it’s like the angels started singing, it was a perfect presentation for such an awesome work of art. Probably about 3 to 4 stories tall and a near flawless statue, David, Goliath’s defeater, simply stood gazing off after his victory with nothing but his sling swung over his soldier. Michelangelo gave the world a true gift with that work. The only thing our group noticed that was odd was the proportionality of his hands, they seemed a bit large. I REALLY wanted a picture of this magnificent creation, but out of respect for the art itself and museum policy I refrained, but you all have to see it if given the chance, just make reservations online b/c the line grows fast. We quickly learned the trick in Europe is to do everything as early as you possibly can while it’s still cool and the mobs of other people are still getting ready. All of the art, many with Christian influence, connected with me on an emotional level.
Continuing on to the Duomo, the biggest and most detailed church I’ve ever seen externally, we didn’t go inside, but climbed the 414 step bell tower connected to it which provided 4 different level views of surrounding Florence. Just the experience of climbing the tiny, steep, narrow passage way up to the top was an awesome feeling paralleling the life of the ancient bell ringers, much less the amazing pictures it provided. Sucking in for passing fellow tourists seeking the same view, and catching your breathe at every opportunity possible, the 6 euro trip was unforgettable. Spectacular views of Florence awaited. Next was the Uiffizzi museum which we also had reservations for, but ended up being 15 euros that none of us wanted to spend, so we skipped it. We made our way to the river which winds beneath several bridges but one in particular that was quite a sight, Il Ponte Vechhio. We also walked across it noticing the only stores it housed were jewelry stores, along with the shops in Florence that would be every girl’s dream for designer labels. Florence helped me to realize that not all of Italy is the high society of Asolo, which we now believe is the Beverley Hills of Italy, it was a place where we commoners felt much more at home. Just our luck there was a gelato festival taking place the weekend we arrived. I ended up trying the chocolate mint this time, an addiction that is becoming harder and harder to manage by the way, and it actually tasted a lot more like the ice cream I’m used to in the states. So far my favorite is still the Vanilla Bean Cream. I’m almost first name basis with the gelatoria man in town, soon to be friends I’m sure. After some experienced the night life of the city, the others of us hit our pillows hard, weekend travel can quickly wear you out. My feet decided to let me know that they officially hate me after this weekend . . . we are still not on speaking terms. We also had a firsthand encounter with the countless street vendors that offer everything from wine toppers, to leather jackets, to magnets, to masquerade masks. Leather was the most popular item by far. Lesson Learned: the quickest way to make the elderly Italian women love you is to offer them your bus seat! Another girl in the program and I decided a cool and cheap souvenir trend could be wrist bands, and our goal is to get at least one from each destination we accomplish. Three and counting for me, let’s hope they all last! Also the central flea market was cool with a butcher, pasta makers, fruit/veggie stands, and all. You mean the Italians are real people seeking an all in one grocery stop too? No way ; )
For a cheaper alternative we also decided to have a picnic with supermarket buys in the park behind our hostel. We wanted to see the Gardens di Boboli but ran out of time so settled for the smaller but rewarding park nearby. Like one of our instructors said we are now having to be the flexible players in a rigid system, instead of the typical American society where the system is flexible around our rigid schedules. You can’t help but appreciate the different way of doing things though, it all works, and I’m not hating it, just takes a little more pre-planning and awareness. But my point is travel plans change as you go and as we all know time flies when you’re having fun. Overall, we had a great group that went together with a willingness to share the experience and all its greatness. We decided to come back early Sunday to get some homework done and rest up before another week of classes. A field trip is planned for Tuesday to a local Donatella Bakery Company that is making plans to expand internationally, pizza making Tuesdays, and who knows what else awaits, but bring it on!
I’m truly enjoying every tiring minute of it! Every day and place brings new lessons and appreciation. I apologize if I bore you to death and sorry for the long post, but I just can’t include it all in one sitting, so hopefully you’ve been receiving a slight taste of what my European adventure is all about! Till next time, try to appreciate the beauty around you and find a foreign soul who could use a little patience and help. Maybe break free from the American mold and take a European siesta midday, to simply appreciate life for where it is and what it brings your way. Grazie for reading, and caio for now.
