Venezia Travelog – Entry 2

The more time I spend in Venezia, the more I realize how this city is a near perfect place for me to spend a semester. Each day I’m more grateful for the culture, language and way of life here. That in combination with my fantastic and inspiring classes is really taking this semester beyond my expectations.

This past week I’ve been settling in, getting used to the grind of schoolwork again and even doing some traveling around the mainland of Italy – all beside my wonderful friends and classmates.

Padova, Italia.
Padova, Italia.

My first trip off the island(s) was to Padova, where Boston University also has a study abroad program. We took the train over with pretty much no agenda, except to meet another friend, and spent the day wandering the markets, eating cheese and seeing the many architectural wonders in the city.

Padova, Italia.
Padova, Italia.

I’ve also been doing my fair share of being a tourist in Venezia. It is Carnevale, after all, and I figured I’d get being a tourist out of the way soon enough so I can pretend to be a local.

Il Canale Grande.
Il Canale Grande.
Exploring San Giorgo on a foggy afternoon.
Exploring San Giorgo on a foggy afternoon.
View from the San Giorgo bell tower.
View from the San Giorgo bell tower.
Piazza San Marco, of course.
Piazza San Marco, of course.
Figuring out the vaporetto.
Figuring out the vaporetto.
Carnevale masks in front of the Doge's Palace.
Carnevale masks in front of the Doge’s Palace.
Sunset on the Grand Canal.
Sunset on the Grand Canal.
Exploring Castello, on the other side of Venezia.
Exploring Castello, on the other side of Venezia.
San Pietro di Castello, home to the patriarch of Venezia.
San Pietro di Castello, home to the patriarch of Venezia.

What’s really cool about sight-seeing here is the opportunity I have to learn the meaning behind the pretty buildings. My art history class takes place mostly on-site, which is incredible. We can stand in front of the Doge’s Palace as we learn the symbolism behind the kneeling doge before Venezia’s winged lion, which is sculpted on the facade.

Thankfully I’ve also had the chance do some touring far outside of Venezia (and I have a lot more planned!) Yesterday we took a 3-hour train ride up into the Alps to Trento. The ride up there was beautiful enough, but the landscape surrounding the city was unreal. Once again, we showed up with no plans and ended up with a whole day full of new experiences.

View from the cable car from Trento to Sardagna, a town at the top of the mountain.
View from the cable car from Trento to Sardagna, a town at the top of the mountain.
Looking back at Trento.
Looking back at Trento.
Naomi and Liz in Sardagna.
Naomi and Liz in Sardagna.
A rare picture of me, with Naomi.
A rare picture of me, with Naomi.

We went for lunch in Sardagna at literally the only restaurant in town – it turned out to be some of the best (and cheapest) food I’ve had so far in Italy.

View from Sardagna.
View from Sardagna.
View from Sardagna.
View from Sardagna.
Piazza del Duomo in Trento, where we stumbled into a Carnevale parade.
Piazza del Duomo in Trento, where we stumbled into a Carnevale parade.
Mountain view from Castello di Bounsiglio in Trento.
Mountain view from Castello di Bounsiglio in Trento.

And with that, I’m signing off to cook Sunday dinner and catch up on classwork.

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