We arrived in Venice after what seemed like two days of
flying. In actual fact it was only a sixteen hour flight from Hanoi to London
then another two hour flight from London to Venice. By the time we had sorted
out the path to our illustrious camping ground we were ready for some amazing
pizza. Well, didn’t we discover the end of the rainbow ten minute walk from the
camping ground. An amazing family operated pizzeria was located at the end of
the street and never has the Italian way of life smacked me in the face like it
did there. From there and white chequered table cloths, to the family portraits
on the wall, this was what Italy was about. It felt good.
I could sum Italy up in one word and that would be aroma.
From the waft of garlic to the cooking of pizza in wood fired ovens, there is
always a delicious smell coming from each corner. It did make a welcome relief
to the certain aromas one discovers in Asia. Venice was magical. It was
surreal. It was beautiful. Every adjective has been used in describing Venice
and still there isn’t a word to create the atmosphere, the feel, the magic of
the city.
There is no other way to explore Venice then by getting
lost. Although in Venice you are never lost. Every alley, laneway and passage
offers another experience. It may be a homemade gelato, a wine bar with
aperitifs, a street performer, or two pigeons mating. There is always something
exciting and slightly romantic (even the pigeons romance each other). That may
be the word to describe Venice. Romantic. It is not the city of love, it
doesn’t try to be, but when you are in Venice there is love between yourself
and the city, those around you, every nook and cranny, the warm and generous
people, the bus strikes ( not really, but it was fun). Every corner offers
style, every canal offers culture, every person offers wisdom and intellect.
Venice isn’t the city of love, it is a place you will fall in love with and
feel alive in.
