Day Trips

The term 'day trip', for me, is somewhat synonomous with 'school excursion'. I always liked them becasue it was away from school, though usually they involved some form of compulsory learning or homework, too. My day trips were full of fun and discovery, and I took my leisurely time doing so.

1. Treviso
I went to Treviso with Mum, back during week two of Italy. It was a really hot day, and we didn't have a map. Essentially, we just let our feet take us where they wanted to go. That was until we were completely lost! But during our time in Treviso I recalled many things from the time I was there last, back when I was in school.

2. Padova
I really liked Padova (we also had a map). It was a more pleasent day than in Treviso, the day before, and we knew where we were going. For me, it was also a new city to see, as I had seen many already. We started the day by walking by a bookshop (I tend to go in about 3 in every city i go to, I love them) and then started looking for some of the monuments that Chiara had told us to see. First up was a Church. There was also a Piazza on our list, an orologio (a clock), a park, and some other things that we went to find were recommendations on the map its self, such as San Antonio, which was stunning. We were also hoping to have lunch with Paride, but due to technilogical malfunctions, we were unable to meet. We also did some shopping, which always makes a day better than it already was.

3. Vicenza
Vicenza was my first day trip alone. It was a little bit lonely, as i waited 30minuti for a train da solo. Vicenza was really beautiful, and green, with many parks; upon leaving the ferrovia, there is a park, Campo Marzo. The streets were really pretty, with flowers hanging off balconies. Here I mainly walked around and browsed the shops. I couldn't find the way into Il Duomo of Vicenza but on the outside, it was very large. I also found the Teatro, but was feeling rather cheap that day, and didn't want to pay to get in, but the giardino was absolutely stunning, so I was happy just to be in there and sit for a little while. The Gardino di Scavi was also another beautiful garden, and i rested my tired feet there, too. While I waited for the train back home, I stayed in the Campo Marzo reading The adventures of Huckelberry Finn.

4. Venezia
I wanted to use this day just to walk around and to see more in more depth. I really wanted to return to Il Palazzo Ducale, so I walked along the winding parth to Piazza San Marco, and lined up. It was a shot queue, and I used my student card to score a discount. I love this palazzo, adorned in gold and the most beautiful tapastry. My favourite room is the room of Maps. It was the last time, too. It is really majestic. Sadly, though, I wasn't allowed to take photos, but I doubt any camera could see what the eyes see. I spent about one and a half hours in the palazzo. I explored every room. After the beautiful rooms of the palazzo, I moved in to the cells for ciminals, then crossed the ponte di sospiri for my last look at freedom... Just kidding, I came out alright. I also used my biglietto to get into the corner museum, which showcased many more artefacts of antiquity, medieval Europe and the renascimento. I didn-t recall a -no phot- sign, so i sneakily took a few photos. In Venezia, I also bought the most cool watch, from the most cool watch shop! Then I went to Venezia Mestre and did some more shopping/seeing a new city.

 Pretty Venetian houses

 Piazza San Marco

 Palazzo Ducale, clock

My dream library (the Corner Museum)

A very beautiful medieval book. 

I donated to the restoration and preservation of this wooden shield, so I feel that it is my right to have photo of it! (the Corner Museum)

 The very cool watch, that came in a can ('OClock', by 'FullSpot)

5. Castelfranco
Visiting Castelfranco was a half day trip, as it is very small, and I could see everything in a few hours. But the morning was relaxing, the weather was lovely, and I enjoyed a cafe con latte in a groovey cafe. I remember the castello from my visit there last time.

6. Ferrara
Ferrara is in la ragione di Emila-Romagna. It was exciting crossing the Po, not only because it is the most famouse fiume in Italy, but becasue it meant that we had left the Veneto, and we in E-R. Ferrara is the 'city of cyclists, Chiara told me, and it is not hard to believe when you are nearly getting hit and killed by i bici instead of le machine! There is a castello in Ferrara, and is very famous, becasue it has a self contained moat., the only in Europe. It's called Castello Estense. Also in Ferrara is the statue of Girolamo Savonarola, whos name I vaguely remember for Renaissance Italy. The Piazza was very nice, too, and there was a market there, where we bought some pane Pugliese, and some formaggio, yumm!

 Castello Estense

 Savonarola

   our pane Pugliese

7. Ravenna
Ravenna is famous for its Byzantine Churches, and they are absolutely stunning, as you look to the heavens, your eyes feast on the extraordinarily, detailed mosaics. They are really splendid mosaic, with tiles of many coulours, such as deep blue for the sky, gold, for the stars, green for grass. I couldn't stop looking, There were five monuments to see in Ravenna, and then another basilica to see a little bit out of the city centre. The best ones were San Vitale, and Mausoleo di Galla Placidia.  the mosaics were amazing. San Vitale was also very grand on the inside, with a mosaic floor, too. On our journey to the monuments, we also found Via Dante Alighieri, which also led to the tomb of Dante himself. I was very excited about this, and I knew that he wasn't buried in Firenze, I just couldn't remember where he really was. Dante bought back memories of the coolest 'study group' ever. After our day in Revenna, we stopped at Lido di Spina (the beach) on the way home, for a relax in the sand.

 San Vitale

 San Vitale

 the mausoleo

 the mausoleo

 the tomb of Dante Alighieri

 Dante's tomb

 Dante was burried here for one year

Basilia di San Apollinare in Classe

It has been great exploring the Veneto over the past few weeks, and also going to E-R to see Ferrara and Ravenna, but I know only have a few more days left in Volpago. Prague is awaiting me. 

Most likely, until then. 

XX

Andare in bicicletta; v. (informal) to go cycling, use a push bike

Living in Volpago has spurred inside me a love for riding una bici. This bici. It is Chiara's. And it is awesome.

I like riding into Montebelluna. I was even clever enough to ride to the piscina, swim a km, and then ride back. It was nice to know that I can ride a bike. and  not fall off, or get hit by a car (really though, the chance is high once you have seen the way that Italians drive). It's just nice riding the bici in the spring breeze.

I like the basket on the front, becasue then I can put my bag in it, and I even pu my groceries in it. I rode to the big supermarket on Tuesday afternoon (after watching Jersey Shore) upon deciding that I would cook dinner for Chiara and Davide. taste.com.au served as my recipe book, and I chose 'roasted chicken with red wine and grapes', followed by 'pear and blueberry crumble'.  it was a nice ride, as usual, as the weather had been hot, and it was quite warm in the house. The wind in my hair was welcoming. The big supermarket it big, It reminds me of Safeway. It has been hard to bake and cook, here in Italy, becasue I have trouble finding the ingredients; I either cont know the name in Italiano, or they don't exist in Italy, like condensed milk. So being at this big Safeway, I felt pretty sure that i would find most of the ingredients... I think that there were only 3 ingredients that I couldn't find, but it took me about 30 minuti to find the rest, and walking up and down the same aisles many times. Dinner was a success, needless to say.

BACIO X

...I don't think that my self-esteem can handle 3 pieces of cake...

Paride: "That last piece of cake is calling you"
Me: "I don't think that my self-esteem can handle 3 pieces of cake"
Paride: "What about half?"
Me: "OK"

Yeah, that conversation really did happen...

Saturday night I went to Chiara's family's house for dinner. I was really looking forward to seeing her family again, especially after such a long time. I have kept in correspondence with them, but it's not the same as being with them. So it was really great to be back at their home. It is just as I remember it.

We played with Dory, their beautiful puppy.

 We picked and ate cherries from the cherry tree

We feasted on wine, pasta, salad, cake, caffè and gelato.
We rested in the garden.

It was a perfect night with my famiglia Italiana

La Famiglia Italiana

Today my Mamma left to go to London, and visit our dear friends, James and Natasha.
So, this means that I am now alone. But not really.

Today I commenced my stay with Chiara and Davide, at their home in Volpago. It is a cute, little, peaceful town, one hour away from Venice. Here, I will stay until the end of Maggio. Davide non parla inglese, so that means that I need to get on top of my Italian! It will be great living with them Chiara has planned many weekend trips to places around the Veneto.

Chiara and Davide both work during the day, and so I will spend my days doing anything I want. Today I only spent 3 hours alone, and in those three hours I discovered MTV... in Italian. As mush as I dislike The Hills and the concept of that whole show, I watched Jersey Shores, and will probably watched it tomorrow (it is on at 3pm).

Davide also told me that there is a swimming pool in Montebelluna, so there is another thing that I can do. Essentially, I may return to Australia as a triatlete. because running, swimming and cycling (I have una bici to ride) can take up a proportionate part of my day.

It is really nice to be able to relax here. The first week was full of travelling and trying to see as much as possible of the cities that we went to. Now, I have three weeks of no plans. And it is quite nice.

xx

Technological failures are the worst oversees

So, while trying to add some photos to my first blog post from Rome, I have managed to a) unsuccessfully add said rome photos, and b) managed to also lose part of the post. Sorry guys, if you hadn't read it, it is now gone forever (maybe not, but I don't have the tech. capacity to retrieve it.

Secondly, while trying to get my phone suitable for european simcards, I, on advice from the Optus lady, Joan, restored my iPhone (after back-up so that I wouldn't lose everything), and still managed to lose everything. Thanks, Joan. Now i don't have Where's Wally to play on my 8 hour train ride from Venice to Vienna, or any music that I got from Dan. Waaaaa!

Castles and Churches

We took a very, very, very long, train ride to Firenze from Pompei. It could have taken us only 3hours with il treno rapido, but in order to save 30euros, we decided to take a 5hour train ride that stoped at a few stations on the way. The first hour went relatively quickly, possibly because I hadn't yet got bored of looking at the pictures in Vogue Italia, or looking out the window. I started to get tirred, so I had a little nap, and then the miles were slowly getting shorter until we finally arrived in Firenze. Now, the only other thing that came with buying a non-EuroRail ticket was that instead of arriving into Florence's main train station, we arrived at Rifredi. So, then we had to make our way to Santa Maria Novella (S.N.M).

Thankfully that was only a short trip, and only added about 6minutes to our journey time. We left Pompeii at 9am, and arrived in Florence at 415pm! It was a lot of train time, and I have to get use to it! After not being able to access a map, we were unable to find the way to our Hostel, but thankfully Leonardo came and found us. After checking in we went exploring la bella citta that is Firenze. I took Mother to Il Duomo at Santa Maria del Fiore and let her marvel at its size, and kept telling her that it was even more amazing when you get inside. It was closed for the day, so we couldn't yet go in, but we allowed the evening to our wandering feet.

Next we decided to go down to the Ponte Vecchio, on the Fiume Arno . We arrived at the magical time of sunset, and, man oh man, it was beautiful! Now, I do love Firenze already, but seeing this lovely sight made it more special for me, and it made Florence special for Mum. It really was a sight that would't be as lovely if you tried to time it, and I think that our wandering upon it unexpectedly made it even more so. All the shops had shut for the day, but today we ventured to the old bridge and peered into the the windows filled with gold and silver, and all types of jewels that you wouldn't see anywhere else. they really were beautiful. On my first visit to Florence I didn't have the time to marvell at all the pretty things in the shop windows, and I don't think that at 16 I wouldn't have appreciated the craftsmanship that is exhibited in those little shop windows.

The next morning, prior to re-visiting the Ponte Vecchio, we placed ourselves in the queue for Santa Maria del Fiore, and to look up at the largest free-stading duomo, by the master Brunelleschi. It was more special after studing it, and knowing how, and by whom it was made. After seeing that people were walking around the outside of il Duomo, I remembered that we were able to do the same. So after falling in love with the dome and the wonderful art that adorned its insides, we located the entrance to the 463 stairs that lead to heaven... well not literally. It was breathtaking to be so close to the beautiful depictions of Hell, Heaven, Christ and Men, I didn't actually want to leave; I wanted to examine every part of that dome. We continued our assent, of the most narrow staircase I have seen. It was pretty darn cool to be climbing between to layers of the dome (this is part of nerdy, Renaissance Emma, and hopefully architecture nerds would appreciate this, too.) Finally we reached the top and took the last 10 stairs to the outside. It really was spectacular. We could see castles on top of faraway hills, and the people down below looked like insects on the ground. The sky was a lovely blue, the sun was shining, and the air was fresh. Terracotta tiles covered Florentine rooftops. Again, I didn't really want to leave. The panoramic view of the city is something that is so picturesque and I wanted to implant it in my memory for life. Seeing this has already been one of the most amazing things I have done in Italy. It was definitely worth, possibly plus more, the 8 euros. We eventually had to descend, down a very steep and narrow staircase, and when we got back to the top level of the inside of the dome, I fell in love again with the art. Mum had to force me back down to ground level. I really could have stayed there, and walked around in circles for a few hours.

So in between andafter the il Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, we did some exploring, and looking at the markets, and all the leather bags and leather-bound books. On Saturday we had a full day to explore Tuscany, so we took the train to Siena, where the famous Pallio is. We climbed another 400 steps that day, to the top of the Torre del Mangia (I hope thats what it is called) for spectacular views of Siena from the sky and the Tuscan country side. Castles and Churches scattered the faraway hills. It was a lovely day out, and we had pizza and gelati for lunch, yumm! It took a bit to navigate the bus system, but we finally got back to Ferrovia for the train back to Florence. We raced back to the Ponte Vecchio so that Mother could by the Fleur de L'ile for her Pandora bracelet. Then I went for some shopping time in H&M. Then back to our wi-fi/TV lacking hotel, for bed.

up, up, up, up, up the stairs we goooooo

 and down

I took mother to see David, she like him. he is pretty spectacular! When I saw him with school, we rushed in, admired David, and then left. The was nothing else that I saw, or remembered. This time, I was going to see the whole galleria. And I did! My favourite peice of sculpture in there was called Daphne and Chloe. If Davide wasn't so spectacular, D&C would ecplise him.

Yes, it really was. But not as big as the line for il Colosseo 

On Sunday it was Mother's day, and I prepared a lovely feast for breakfast for Mother (from the Hotel breakfast), complete with a new Pandora charm. Then we went to the train Station to take the train to Venice. It was only a 2 hour train ride, nothing compared to Pompeii to Florence, and it was pretty cruezy. We were only spending one night in Venizia, so we did some exploring of the many passages though the winding canals. Once we figured out to follow the yelllow signs, we were alright, and not so lost. The upside of being lost was that we discovered some cute little bridges, and some amazing shops of masks and art. I really liked the little art shop with water paintings of the Commedia dell'Arte characters. The masks were more amazing than I remembered.

We arrived at St Mark's Square only to find a line and a security check, and later, after some inquiring, we learned that all these measures we in place to protect, no other than the Pope! We did wait a little bit, but decided that food was more important. So for Mother's day I treated Mum to a lovely dinner along the Grand Canal.

Today is Monday, and I hope that Carlton whip St Kilda's arse in the footy.
Go Blues from Italia!

xx

I'm a Faun!

It has been spectacular discoveing/re-discovering Roma Antica. I had already been to the Colosseo and the Foro Romanum before, but it was exciting to be back having studied ancient society. On Primo Maggio I had planned to visit the three archeological sites of Roma, but being Primo Maggio, they were closed. So we were only able to see everything from the outside and afar. I was a little disappointed that Mother wasn't able to see the things that she wanted to see, and I was a little sad that I was not able to re-enter with a learned mind. It was postcard perfect, though, being able to take panoramic photos of the Forum, as there were no people walking around. I was really looking forward to being Mum's tourguide in the ruins, but becasue we couldn't get in, I just had to give her the history lessons that she never had from the outside.

We also went to the Ara Pacis Augustae, which I really wanted to see. I was stoked that it was open on Primo Maggio, and that it was only €1! The Ara Pacis is beautiful! It really was marvelous. I felt like a child at Christmas, that's how excited I was!

I was determined to give Mum the holiday that she wanted and we decided to return to the site the following day. I had also checked with the tourist office before going to ensure that we'd be able to enter. We had spend the earlier parts of the morning exploring other places, but at about 1130 we enter the one hour line for Il Colosseo. It was definitely worth it, just to make Mother happy. There was also an exhibition on about Nerone, which made the wait more worth it for me. Having studied Nero, and included aspects of his life in essays, it was great to be able to see real artefacts from not only his life, but in relation to his time as Emperor of Rome.

After about 45minutes in the Colosseo, we moved on to il Palatino. Here I recounted the foundation of Rome, and explored the hill that I had not already been to. I was happy to be exploring somewhere in Rome that I hadn't already been. I was most looking forward to seeing Casa di Livia, and Casa d'Augusto. I studied the whole Augustan era of Rome, so anything that realates to that period I am especially eager to see. There were more parts of the 'Nerone' exhibition at the Palatine Hill, and were were able to see a newly excavated statue, capital, coins, and other peices of Neronian Rome. The theme of Nero was then taken to Foro Romanum, my favourite part of Ancient Rome, and in there were numerous busts depicting Nero and his famiglia.

Continuing with the theme of antiquity, currently I am sitting in a garden in Pompeii. We arrived yesterday, after a cruzey 1hour EuroStar train journey from Rome. I wasn't planning on heading into Pompeii Scavi until today, so that I had the whole day to look around, however, we ended up going in there after we checked-in to our hotel. I was nearly peeing my pants in excitement to be walking around Pompeii. I studied Pompeii last year for 12 weeks, and it definitely topped my subjects for the semmester. Frank Sear was the lecturer and he is amazing, once you get over the typical English professor facade. He was part of the 'A day in Pompeii' exhibition at the Melbourne Museum, and has taken part in many of the digs at the Pompeii site. He instilled in me a passion of this particular part of Ancient Rome, so to finally be here meant so much, especially since i was deliberating whether or not to make Pompeii part of my trip.

Anciet Pompeii was bigger than I thought it would be, and we did get lost... we ended up at one end of the town about three times. It was so easy to just wander from house to house, and not worry about reading the map and finding the things that I wanted to see, becasue around evry corner and in every house there was something to see and something to read*. It was hard, yet fascinating, trying to imagine how the town really was. I even struggeled to do that in class when we looked at images from the city. Sometimes it was easy to see the houses or buildings that were double-storey, becasue a few of them still had the second level of columns standing. I was most excited to see a few things there, and seeing them made me feel like my visit was complete.

1) Pipes running through the ground, and the water towers in the town: these were parts of Pompeii that I studied, and wrote about in my essay. Frank has done a lot of studies on the water supply, so it was a bit special to see these and link them to someoneby whom I was educated.

2) Casa del Fauno: all I can say about this house is that it is AhMaZing! Really, it is. I want to live there, pre destruction of course. Again, I did a lot of study and reading about this house, so I was extra special to see. I was very content to finally see the little bronze statue of the Faun (of which the house is named after), even if it is only a replica. Walking around the Peristyle was surreal, and being in the Atrium was again, specail, to be with the Faun. Another very amazing thing about this house was to see the replica of the Alexander mosaic. It is a very large, detailed mosaic depicting Alexander the Great. It was grand in print, but it is piu grande in real life!

3) The Villa dei Misteri was another beautiful place to see, with the room decorated in the painting of a mystery cult/celebration. Just like the Alexander Mosaic, the room with the painting was more beautiful in realty. I was just really annoyed that my camera decided to die about 20metres from the entrance to the villa, so I had to use Mum's camera. It did the job, I hope.

Today, we had a full day in Pompeii, and we dicided to take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento, along the Bay of Naples. It was a very pretty, hilly, seaside town. It was quiet, but it is very obvious that during July and August that it would be crazy busy. We walked from one side of the town to the other, down to the docks, to where heaps of boats were, and then back up the hill. We didn't know that there were stairs down to the dock, and ended up walking on a road, with crazy drivers, fearing for our lives. All though Pompeii we have been fearing for our lives, as the drivers kind of just drive all over the road, around turing cars, park over ped. crossings, and, generally, do whatever the hell they like. Actually, Rome was pretty much the same. While on the topic of cars and driving, I'd like to congratulate Archie on doing a great job of ensuring I get leared at my a number of passing cars. I have been tooted at, and kissed and, and leared at, with one driver doing a triple-take! I ignore their admirations. Mostly, I am just embarrassed, but Mum and I have a little chuckle about it.

Back in Rome we also visited Vatican City. We took the subway there, and out of two lines, going 4 directions collectively, I managed to not only take Linea B, instead of Linea A, but also in the wrong direction. I was looking forward to getting into the Basilica and seeing art of the Rinascimento and the grand Sistine Chapel, but due to the Beautificazione of Pope John Paul II, the Basilica was closed. It was frustrating to have two things closed, and ever more because they were two things that Mother really wanted to see. She was still happy to get to see Vatican City. While we were on that side of the Fiume Teverei, we ventured down to the Trastevere, on a resturante recommendation from Evan. It didn't open until dinner, but it was lovely walking around that area. It was much more peaceful than they other side.

Trastevere

Tomorrow we will take the train out of antiquity, and move forward in time to the 'Dark Ages', aka, the 'Middle Ages', and to the home of the Renaissance, Firenze.

XX Em

*meaning to look into the detail, not literally read, silly!