When I was planning my long weekend, I spent a long time considering taking a train ride to southern France or to Italy. At the end of the day, I chose to fly to Milan instead, a decision I certainly didn't regret after two extraordinary days there. But it got even better on Sunday.
Under the advice of my parents' friends, I took the Frecciablanca to Venice. It didn't go as smoothly as I'd hoped though. I left the hostel approximately 75 seconds later than I'd intended. This was enough of difference, though, that I missed my subway train. The next train didn't come for 9 minutes. I got to the train station 2 minutes before my train was scheduled to leave and I was going to make it, but the ticket machine slowed me down. Before I could purchase my ticket, I had to listen to a lecture on watching out for pickpockets. That was all it took. My train pulled away as I ran up to the track.
I managed to switch the ticket at no extra cost for a train that departed an hour later. In the meantime, they tried to charge me 1€ to use the bathroom. You might be able to tell from my face that I thought this was a little absurd. I decided to hold it until the train came and I could use that restroom for free. The track was not posted until 10 minutes before the train was meant to depart, but I was there and waiting when this train arrived.
The ride to Venice was gorgeous. I read, slept, and spent much of my time staring out the window as the Italian countryside whizzed past. I swear that if one actively tried to capture an ugly shot of this country, it would prove difficult.
I finally made it to Venice. The train station is intelligently positioned, dumping visitors directly in front of the Grand Canal. What an opening to a city! Most of the tourists immediately crossed the Ponte degli Scalzi, one of just four bridges that cross the Grand Canal. I decided to head northeast, to see what I could see.
I also went in search of food as my hunger hit me like Manny Pacquiao (with whom I am only familiar because my Spanish professor brought him up). Between the crowds and the stands selling mass-produced masks, glass jewelry, and other souvenirs, I managed to find a place with pizza to go. I ate took my focaccia pizza gratefully. Continuing along, I found another over-crowded bridge. This time, though, people weren't even trying to cross. First confused, then annoyed, I decided to investigate. It turns out there happened to be some sort of boat show going on that crossed under this bridge. Delighted, I spent quite some time in awe of the various designs and teams.
The majority of my day after watching this show is a blur of liter, crowds, and sales pitches. Venice, Italy is the ultimate tourist trap. The canals and buildings are glamorous, but the streets are rubbish-filled series of dead ends. That said, Venice is certainly worth a day or two. Canals are a lovely, unique setting to hold Venice's many basilicas and palazzos close. And with Venice's potential disappearance growing nearer- possibly even occurring during my lifetime- I'm thrilled that I was able to experience it.
Were I to revisit Venice, here's what I'd do differently:
1. Travel with a bunch of people! The only way I was going to afford the 80€ gondola ride was if I could have split it with several other people. Looks like I'll just have to do that next time I'm in Venice.
2. Pack lunch. Everything in Venice was crazy expensive. I would've felt better, eaten healthier, and eaten more if I had packed my lunch.
3. Have a SIM card with a data plan. My international plan charges a ton for using data, which has been okay so far since I've hardly used any. But Venice's streets are a big ol' mess. So much of a mess that I don't think they sold any accurate maps. It would've been nice to have Google Maps load quickly enough on data that I could have found my way around more easily.
4. Watch out for that mime. He's going to whack your butt with his cane and it is not going to feel nice.
5. Buy those paintings right then and there. Don't keep wandering because you just arrived and want to see what else is there. Sometimes, the first thing you come across is the most beautiful.
6. Describe the picture I want in as much detail as I can. That guy is a real photographer, as his head-over-heels-in-puppy-love girlfriend will let you know, and he will take more creative license than you want.
7. Know that the places advertising stamps don't sell stamps for normal mail. They sell stamps for this weird, privatized mailing system and you can only mail your postcards from their mailboxes. But frankly, the Italian post system is a little iffy, so who cares.
8. Buy my return ticket when I buy my departure ticket. Otherwise, I might get stuck paying 15€ more for the last first class ticket because that's all that's left.
Here's what I'd do the same:
1. Go to Venice!
2. Go by train! Don't fly. It's expensive and not as pretty.
3. Duck into random museums and art galleries. Surprises are fun and beautiful!
4. Put off buying my return ticket until I had arrived in Venice. Otherwise, I might not get to ride first class! :)
Despite being hungry and lost most of the day, I did enjoy Venice. I would most certainly go back if the opportunity arouse, this time better prepared for the high prices, confusing streets, and abundant, slow-moving tourists.
Until next time!