In "The Smiles of Rome" there was a phrase that really caught my attention and I really felt applied to my experiences I have had so far. In Muriel Spark's essay My Rome, she said that one of the things that she liked most about Rome was that you could simply go down a street and turn the corner and there was a monumental landmark. It is just one after another in Rome. I think I have basically said this since day one and it was neat to read it in a professional essay.
This past weekend the group traveled to Venice. We were all scared to go because the city was flooding with water. I really didn't want to go through water that was up to my waist. We actually got lucky and didn't have to deal with that. (Phew!) Venice turned out to be one of the most amazing places I have ever been. I know I use the two words "amazing" and "awesome" in my blogs, but they are the words that always pop into my mind when I think about Italy in general. The whole idea of all the different little islands in Venice was so cool! Our hotel was located in a small island called Lido. It was a cute little place, but nothing like Venice. We had to take a ferry to get to St. Marco square; which is where a lot of the main attractions are in Venice. Gabby and I went on a gondola ride together. Our gondolier talked on his cell phone the majority of the time but it was still the most romantic event I've ever taken part in. It was just so peaceful and relaxing; and not to mention everything we saw was beautiful.
When people think of Venice, two things come into mind: water and glass. Venice is very popular for its glassmaking. On Saturday, we got a tour of the glass factory. We saw how they make some types of glass objects as well as seeing many of their master pieces. They were all amazing. (I know, there I go using that word again) We walked around Venice and did a lot of shopping and exploring. Dave and I walked for a long long time on Sunday and ended up extremely far away from Lido. We obviously found our way back, but it was just a longer ferry ride then we expected. Venice was just a great experience and I would go back in a heartbeat!
Monday was a pretty long day. We got back late the night before from Venice then got up early to travel into Rome. Emily and Dave started out the day with a great student-led tour of some beautiful places. We went into a few churches, that just like all the other ones we have been in, we're beautiful. I just cant grasp how people built these things! After that we enjoyed a nice class discussion outside. It was a beautiful day so it was perfect for that! We then explored the ancient catacombs. I'm not gonna lie, it was a little creepy down there. We saw all the tombs where people were buried and what not. Not my kind of thing; but it was interesting and our tour guide did a very good job. Once again I have an early departure Friday morning. I will be leaving campus at 4AM to head to Paris! We will stay in Paris for a day and leave friday and fly to Dublin. So yes, on Friday I will be in three different countries. It may be another exhausting weekend ahead of me but it will be worth it!
Ciao Brandon,
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog. Nice integration of the readings with your experience. A pleasure to read.
Brandon, you're absolutely right, there are monuments and awe-inspiring architecture wherever you turn. Mike told us the first week that "Getting lost is part of the fun!" I know that I have used that as a mantra for this trip because it is the fun part. When you turn a corner and see the Colosseum, or the Spanish Steps, or San Giovanni, or the Trevi Fountain, the list could go on forever. Part of the fatal attraction of Rome I suppose. :)
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