I have never experienced heat like I did in Venice. It was suffocating, draining and absolutely disgusting. The group I was traveling with, acquaintances for only three days, left their inhibitions in Florence as we sweated together every second of the trip.
Venice is not like the US. The air is crisp and clean due to the fact black smoke isn’t flowing from trucks on highways. There is no logic to the tiny alleyways. No grid system like most cities in the US. The dogs were extremely well behaved and most didn’t even require a leash. Many of the people I came into contact with were friendly, but then again, most were tourists.
I met a couple waiting for the bus (water taxi) from Texas. They had traveled to Italy for a wedding and were taking a couple of days to sightsee around the country. The two had previously lived in Australia and had recently relocated to the US. We spoke about how confusing the bus systems were in Venice and Florence and how expensive everything was. After inquiring about my study abroad trip, they told me that in Australia, most high school or college students take a gap year to travel around the world. I agreed that it was unlike anything we do in the states. We are put on the fast track at an early age and are never given the chance to jump off.
favorite place of the weekend was definitely Burano. It was our last stop on the boat ride and before we docked, I knew I would love it. Everything seemed so simple and fresh. We were greeted with cobblestone streets and fresh laundry drying in the sun. The houses were painted funky colors, the small canal was still, and the people were friendly and accommodating. It was the first time in a long time I had visited a place where no one was in hurry. Time seemed to pass slowly as everyone was either enjoying an espresso or browsing the small lace shops.
Venice is a place unlike any other. Walking through the small streets is nothing like the busy deathtraps that are the sidewalks in Florence and other big cities. In a way the modern culture has not left its mark on Venice, but like most small, quaint towns, it will inevitably happen one day.
Mary Helen,
ReplyDeleteYou have a straightforward, clear way of writing that will suit you well in accounting! That clarity comes in handy in journalism, too.
Your description of Burano is very nice. Make sure you put it in context for those who weren't there with you. So after a little research, you could write:
Burano was the last stop on a four-hour water trip to some of Venice's 177 islands. Historically, Burano was populated by fishermen, whose wives - left at home for weeks sometimes - took to lace making. Voila - the birth of the famous Venetian lace... (then continue on).
Not to step on your toes, but isn't Burano today mostly a shopping destination? It was hard to see the real community at work and play... (I know, I am so cynical.)
The conversation with the wedding travelers works well for this assignment. So your job is to work on capturing useful quotes and weaving them into your scenes.