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Published: October 6th 2009
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Ciao from Venice! I have to admit, flying into Venice from Paris (no free movies this time!), was quite an experience. Breaking through the clouds and just seeing water with tiny islands sprouting up, was simply amazing. Elyse and I got seperated seat wise on the plane; however I ended up sitting next to an awesome older guy who was heading to a silent film festival just north of Venice. He had been there every year for the past 10 years, and he had traveled around Europe a bunch. The lady on the other side of me looked like she was about 90 years old, had the coolest British accent, and was reading a book completely in French, just jetting off to Italy. Basically, she's who I want to be in 69 years. So, working my trench and dark sunglasses (European neccessities), I emerged off the plane to my new home for the next several months. We jetted off on a water taxi into the lagoon and were at San Servolo island, our residence, within 20 minutes. I was immediately shocked at how sunny it was (no rain yet!) and how warm it is here! It has been about 75 and
clear skies over here every day, so I haven't had to break out the rain boots yet!
Being on San Servelo is like living on the island in the computer game Myst. It has sort of strange art and architecture (it used to be a sanitarium if that gives you any idea), it's kind of quiet, and has lots of little paths leading both through wooded areas and also straight to into the sea. It actually houses a bunch of contemporary art around the island, as the pictures of the giant skull convey. One artwork is a parachute stuck in a tree with what looks to be a shrunken head hanging from it (very Goosebumps). Another? A strange spaceship looking thing. So, despite the strange feel of the island, it is quiet and a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Venice. The island houses Venice International Univerisity, but also acts as a kind of hotel and hosts conferences. So there is always a new crowd walking around. We met some students from Duke University last night that are students here for the semester, so it's nice to meet some other English speaking people, considering we've
heard every language under the sun spoken on this island.
One benefit of the island is that they have extracirricular activites for students of the university that we get to attend. We attended a movie last night which is part of the university movie series which aims to teach students more about Venice and the history and culture of the city. We watched an awesome movie called "Dangerous Beauty" about this badass courtesan named Veronica Franco who became a poet and changed the nature of the city forever. We also get to ride boats to Venice on a daily basis, which is amazing! We've been doing lots of orientation activities and haven't started official class yet (except for our Italian class), so we have only explored Venice a bit looking for basic ammenities like the post office and ATM's, but I'm already in love with the city. I was nervous after Paris, which pretty much blew me away and made me never want to leave, but Venice is amazing in a different way. I have to admit I imagined Venice as a quiet city, which it most definately is not. It was packed with tourists when we arrived last
weekend, and there is so much going on all the time. It is sort of a mysterious place in a way- you'll be in a crowded tiny alley with shops and tourists left and right, then wander into a quiet and almost completely deserted street. I'm already completely completed addicted to gelato, and I'm determined to try every flavor by the time I leave! Elyse and I pretty much decided that wine and gelato are going to be the death of us.
So my favorite things so far?
1) The wine juice boxes that we get for lunch and dinner on a daily basis via our student cafeteria.
2) Ummm gelato. Any kind of gelato 😊
3) Being constantly surrounded by water and watching the sunset every night.
4) Paolo, our super sweet Italian professor who talks about how he drinks a beer before he speaks English to "loosen him up" and gets too nervous when he orders gelato, so he always just orders pistacchio (which he hates), and gives it to the first person he sees
5) Trying to figure out who all these random people on the island are (and what all the crazy artwork means....)
6)
Trying to imitate the pushy Venetians when walking down crowded alleys and stupid tourists walk too slow or stop and take a picture when you are trying to get to class...ATTENCION!!!! PERMISSO!!!
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Loved the pix and descriptions
Am I your first comment? What a great blog, Steph! Your pix and descriptions are wonderful. I almost feel like I'm there, too! Your Italian professor sounds like a real hoot.