Buongiorno !
Welcome to my new Shorthand Social dedicated to the precious North East part of Italy ! I will tell you some anecdotes of my trip which took place in January 2017.
how it began
The trip began with my friend Clémence. It was really good to bond with her abroad. We met at Uni (Caen) Normandy. We both studied at the department of Anglophone Literature and History. And we quickly became friends as we both share a pretty intense passion for the UK !
At that time I was a bit nostalgic of my Erasmus year spent in cosy Wales, United Kingdom, surrounded by good people. I was talking a lot about my good experiences there with my family & friends. I wanted to go back, assuredly. But, basically, with a bit of time, you realize that it is not worth going back to a place you lived unforgettable moments. It happened, yes. But, in a way, it belongs to the past. Especially in student life. From now on, "let’s see...", and explore other parts of the world.
Clémence did her best to enter St. Andrews (Scotland, UK). I still remember that special day she received her acceptance letter. I was so happy for her. St. Andrews university was not Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry but even more enchanting ! She met amazing people from all over the world and was taught by prestigious professors.
Meanwhile, one of our best uni friend Charlyne went on her student dream spending one semester in Sydney. (She is now back to this continent, but teaching French in Melbourne !)
For my part, I went on a short holidays to India after my degree in spring. I knew I graduated when I was at Goa beaches with my friends, went to Agra... Then I came back, a little bit like a different traveller. No words for that…!
Moreover I was happier and more determined than ever to find a job in France or abroad. I found a mission in Paris. Basically it is considered as a long internship and/or a volunteering job. We receive compensation from the French state though, empowering & giving a helping hand to an NGO for instance. I feel thrilled doing what I like, and despite the Parisian killjoy, party pooper, stick-in-the-mud (in French : rabat-joie), I am a Paris lover, so… that’s brilliant !
Basically, I could take holidays from where I’m working, so I decided to book one week in Veneto, Italy. The very cheap flight impulsed me to be honest ! Then, my friend Clémence decided to join me for this trip (& everything was quite expensive ! - especially in Venice city). But it is worth it, you'll see...
"I want to look at a map and be able to remember how I was transformed by the places I have been to, the people I have met, and the things I have seen." Anonymous
Saturday 21st January
HOLIDAYS, here we are
So It was a bit cold that day we left Paris (minus 1 or something). And at 5PM they said 9°C in Venice. We had a nice welcome at the airport, a friendly taxi driver waiting for us. Gilberto, our host, had previously booked Roberto's taxi. We then arrive to the house in Mogliano Veneto 20 min by train from Venice. I was so thrilled by the space we had ! A princess room, a children's room, TVs, large kitchen &... most important... a bath ! I really liked that bathroom...
Sunday 22nd January
this "floating city"
So we took the train on the morning. Clémence wrote :
Arriving from the Santa Lucia train station and stepping onto Venice for the first time is breathtaking. I immediately fell in love with the place and was amazed by the view that awaited us first thing after leaving the station.
The weather was surprisingly nice for a mid-January trip, and the sun reflected on the surface of the turquoise water. What I find the most striking about Venice is the abundance of colour and light, and the amazing architecture of this 'floating city'.
Sunny & welcoming Venice
Still Clémence speaking :
Alice and I spent our first day wandering amidst the sinuous alleys onto St Mark's place. We then decided to go all the way to the Guggenheim museum. We could see the work of the most famous modern artists such as Pablo Picasso, Braque, Duchamp, Léger, Brancusi, Severini, Picabia, de Chirico, Mondrian, Kandinsky, Miró, Giacometti, Klee, Ernst, Magritte, Dalí, Gorky, Calder & others...
We were particularly stunned by the temporary exhibition : My Weapon against the Atom Bomb is a Blade of Grass by Tancredi.
Spooky Venice
We had a dinner in a fancy restaurant in an obscure street. The place was so unique & a bit posh. Alice had Cuttlefish pasta.
Venice at night completely changes atmosphere and becomes extremely spooky ! Of course, given our pathetic sense of direction, we got lost on our way back to the train station. Venice is such a maze !
I could not help thinking about 16th century intrigues and crime stories coming back through these dark, gloomy streets, and Alice might have been a bit scared by my passion for spooky stories!
Monday 23th January
Murano
On our second day, we discovered a bit more of the lagoon and the island of Murano, where they make the well-known glass of the same name. There, we ate the most delicious Italian food and took a lot of pictures of the colourful houses.
"Murano's reputation as a center for glassmaking was born when the Venetian Republic, fearing fire and the destruction of the city’s mostly wooden buildings, ordered glassmakers to move their foundries to Murano in 1291. Murano glass is still associated with Venetian glass."
Thankfully we didn't get lost on our way back, but we missed our stop on the train and ended up having to take a taxi to go back to our house. Luckily our sense of adventure took advantage of it and we ended up making fun of the situation. We spent the evening editing our pictures and having great conversation.
Tuesday 24th January
The third day was my last one, but we had so much fun. We started earlier than usual and visited the oldest Jewish ghetto, located in a less-touristy, more picturesque part of the city. Then we walked all the way to St Mark's where we visited the basilica, the doges palace and the Correr museum.
Acqua Alta book store
We stepped into this special library, where we could climb on old books to admire the view. I bought one of their book. The name of this old library is Libreria "Acqua Alta". Acqua Alta is the term used in Veneto for the exceptional tide peaks that happen periodically in the northern Adriatic Sea. Luckily it didn't happen when we were in Venice, I just brought waterproof boots in my bag, just in case !
I absolutely adored every day spent there and had so much fun, but if I had to choose a favourite moment I would probably pick this day. I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the last bits of the city, randomly visiting craft shops and churches, and exploring the museums. Once again, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the city and the incredible seascape that surrounded us.
at the top of San Marco
Fancy venetian palaces
National Library of St Mark's
It is one of the earliest surviving public manuscript depositories in the country, holding one of the greatest classical texts collections in the world. The library is named after St Mark, the patron saint of Venice.
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDGE IN EUROPE
Nevertheless, it was not aimed to be as romantic as it looks like to be. Ponte dei Sospiri passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the jail to the interrogation rooms in the doge's palace. Legend says that from this bridge one could hear the sighs of the de condemned as they were being led to prison.
I can now claim that Venice is my new favourite city, and I am looking forward to exploring it again, later in life.
Thank you so much Alice for being such a good friend and inviting me on this adventure ! I would never have been otherwise, and this trip is definitely a memory I will cherish for a long time.
Good bye Clemy.
Wednesday 25th January
Mogliano Veneto
(Twinned with Lisieux, Normandy)
Clémence took her flight to Paris
I had a relaxed day in Mogliano Veneto.
Got lost in this tiny city looking for a supermarket, so I went back and chose to go to the closest, providing organic food only.
Thursday 26th January
Verona
I found a very nice Blablacar driver from Mogliano Veneto. He was going to Milan for work, dropped me in Verona early in the morning and took me back later in the afternoon. Perfect ! We had nice conversations & he introduced me to his friend that I met afterwards :)
Arena
Romeo & Juliet
Ok, I can admit now, I am -sort of- a romantic girl ! So I went into a book store & bought the brilliant No Fear Shakespeare edition of Romeo and Juliet which allows you to read the original Shakespeare's masterpiece (old English) on the left hand page, and a modern version anyone can understand on the right hand page.
THE PROLOGUE
The chorus enters.
CHORUS
In the beautiful city of Verona, where our story takes place, a long-standing hatred between two families erupts into new violence, and citizens stain their hands with the blood of their fellow citizens. Two unlucky children of these enemy families become lovers and commit suicide. Their unfortunate deaths put an end to their parents' feud. For the next two hours, we will watch the story of their doomed love and their parents' anger, which nothing but the children's death could stop. (...)
ACT ii SCENE ii
Juliet enters the balcony
Romeo
But wait, what's that light in the window over there? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Rise up, beautiful sun, and kill the jealous moon.
Friday 27th January
Padua
I took the train to Padua, and I had a precious list telling me what was important to see.
caffe Pedrocchi
The Pedrocchi Café was founded in the 18th century in central Padua. The café has historical prominence because of its role in the 1848 riots against the Habsburg monarchy, as well as for being an attraction for artists over the last century from the French novelist Stendhal to Lord Byron to the Italian writer Dario Fo. The public can still read books or one of the newspapers available in the Green Hall, have a meal or pastry and coffee shop, and discuss politics, culture and life.
university of padova
« Universa Universis Patavina Libertas ».
One of the oldest university in the world
Was founded in 1222
Private visit
I felt so privileged to step inside the university. I even had a private visit of the ceremonial rooms. So fancy. So unique. I couldn't take pictures but I won't forget this experience.
Palazzo della Ragione
Basilica di Sant'Antonio & other churches
I visited other churches and the very famous Basilica di Sant'Antonio. I prefer not to spoil you with numerous pictures, so I let you imagine the beauty of the place... It was incredibly moving to go to these places and witness several pilgrims travelling to see (& touch) Sant'Antonio reliques.
Saturday 28th January
Venice, I see you again
I left the house, went to the station & met Valentina in Venice ! We had an amazing time together.
La serenissima
We went to a nice restaurant.
Then, she kindly offered me a short & strong coffee + venetian specialty they eat for the carnival.
She took me to a an other spooky place : this church's crypt.
Treviso
Instead of taking the pricey touristic bus linking Santa Lucia (Venice) directly to the airport (Treviso), I took the 3€ train, walked an hour in the city with my medium size backpack (& my Doc Martens heels), then took a city bus to the airport and didn't miss the flight.
END OF THE TRIP
Italian foood
I will not forget hospitality and smiles of Italian people, and of course amazing Arts & stunning landscapes. In addition to all of that, for a foodie like me : Cucina is very important. And I know France & Italy are often in competition for the title of the best food of the world, so it's a bit hard to say that, but I think Italian food is the best... In Europe at least. haha
Thank you very much to read this article. Bonus : One of the Italian songs I was hearing a lot on the Radio (& TV) Radio Bruno.
I will update other stuffs soon ! Stay tuned. You might me surprised. Again.
Bye.
Alice
