The Italian Interlude Part 6- Viva Venezia!

By noon of the following day, everyone’s all packed up for their flight back to Saudi Arabia .  By noon we all checked out of Hotel Mozart; while they were bound to Malpensa airport, I’ll be bound for Rome .  I bade goodbye to everyone and soon I was alone again at the hotel lobby figuring out how I could get to Rome .  The front desk guy told me that it will be about 8 hours from Milan by road or 4-5 hours by the train at the Milano Centrale.  He told me that Rome is a big city and a day or two will not be enough considering the small amount of time I have until I leave Italy in 2 days.  After going about the pros and cons I got to conclude that he’s right- setting aside the total travel time, a day and a half in Rome might not really be practical afterall.  However, Venice he said is the next best option for it is also a beautiful city only 2 hours away by train.  He lent me the hotel’s tourist guide book and after seeing the pictures and going through the information, I was convinced to go there instead.  Half an hour later, I was back in Milano Centrale for a two-hour trip to Sta. Lucia, Venezia.  I moved around confidently this time for I know the station already and I know where I was going.  There were long lines of passengers buying the tickets eventhough there were about 10 or so counters in the ticket area while in the automated bigglieteria there were few.  I wanted to try it but I’m not about to let another possible complication (like my credit card getting jammed or pressing the wrong options) to ruin my trip, I decided to try my patience in the ticket area which wasn’t so bad afterall because the turn-over was quicker than I thought.  Soon I was  inside the neat express train of about 10 coaches or so moving at least 110 kilometers per hour.  After going through more stops than I can recall, we finally arrived Venice- Sta. Lucia station on a 30-minute delay.

The first thing that I saw upon stepping out of the station was the water!

  There was a wide canal separating the side where I was and the other side and between the gap is a huge bridge.  Looking around, I felt like I was in another world-   centuries-old structures, water everywhere, no motorized vehicles on solid grounds, bridges big and small, Roman Catholic churches, gondolas, water buses, lovely people- I’m afraid I might describe such an unimaginably beautiful city in an understated fashion.  It was like I was in a small town floating in a big body of water in the 16^th century.  Along the main (brick) road called the Strada Nova are closely-knit shops, restaurants, pharmacies and authentic Venetian handicrafts!

"So this is where the infamous masques came from..."

 So this is where the infamous masques came from.  Outside these shops were mannequins dressed like they just came from the Phantom of the Opera afterparty.  The ambience of what I’ve seen so far is like a creepy  old town yet in its own goodness.  Creepy because it looks like the place where Jack the Ripper prowls at night in one of those dark narrow alleys or a troll might be lurking beneath the murky water and ready to pounce on you when you’re passing by one of those bridges.  In a good way because the peculiarity of the lovely Venice   adds to the excitement of being in a totally new dimension.  For me, the people here are not as uptight as  those in Milan- in most aspects like fashion, attitude, they tend to be the more relaxed breed.

"Creepy because it looks like the place where Jack the Ripper prowls at night in one of those dark narrow alleys..."

There were small 2-star hotels along Strada Nova but none of them has suited my taste as of yet so I decided

Hotel Tintoretto

 to walk further.  The small streets were crowded with obviously tourists mostly in groups.  To my right is a rather wide waterway where people take the waterbuses and water taxis.  The mainroad closed in to more narrow walkways after crossing the first bridge.  Now there were old buildings congested on bothsides and I couldn’t really decipher which are ones the residentials because it seems to me that everything, everywhere are commercial establishments.  I came upon a hotel housed in an old brick structure with a petite tower serving as the main attraction along with the antique well in front.  Attached to the hotel is their small small resto with tables outside.  Though it has been less than an hour’s walk only, I was rather tired after going up and down three bridges (have to carry my big trolley bag everytime) I decided to check in at this hotel.  The name of the small hotel was Hotel Tintoretto.  A pretty young  Italian lady was manning the front desk as soon as I entered.  It was a really small space (from the door to the frontdesk) that only one person can be accomodated each time.  Three average sized persons would already crowd the entire space.  The (what’s supposed to be) lobby was even smaller than the living room in my previous apartment.  Anyhow, I still thought the place was lovely, neat and cozy.  Comparing it to the amenities of Hotel Mozart, I bet bed and breakfast here is cheaper.  But no, they quoted me a 100 Euro per night, single room.  Probably because this is Venice , I thought as I was handing out my Mastercard.  The lobby doesn’t lead you to where the hotel rooms are, we had to literally go out and enter a glass and steel door next to the lobby entrance.  I asked where the elevator was and she politely said that they didn’t have one installed as the building is that of an old-16^th century mansion or something- I believed her as I climbed my way two floors up to my room.  The wooden stairs and floorings are carpeted and right at the end of the hallway would be my room.  It was the only elevated room in that floor and just before you to take 3 steps up to the room, there’d be a room to your left and right like they were guarding mine.  The “16^th Century” thing that the lady gave me for info added to the spine-chilling ambience and if that were so, what could this room have been centuries ago?  A torture chamber?  Just a thought though, of course I know it has been refurbished from what it was ages ago.  As expected, the room is small but just right for me.  The wooden walls, bed and nightstands are coordinations of pastel colors and the bathroom has complete facilites except bathtub (I don’t need it anyway).  After having the feel of the room, I just freshened up and went back to the front desk to ask not for some more “16^th Century” infos but for tips on getting around the place.  She was very nice and helpful that she gave me a map (I still have it).  Accordingly Piazza San Marco is very near the hotel about 15 minutes walk, she confidently said.  That’s great, I thought as she drew on the map the direction I should go.  When I looked at it, my eyes grew big looking at it for the line she drew went from end-to-end of the map.  She got what I was hitting at so she softly chuckled and said it looks far from the map but in the actual, it’s really not that far. 

"I came across the Rialto Bridge- one of Venice ’s landmark"

 The supposed 15-minute walk to San Marco was extended to about an hour brought about by the countless stops at souvenir shops and other attractions.  Along the way, there were about 4 Roman Catholic churches within the cramped streets.  It would be hard not to get lost without the map as there were  sooooo many small streets that are; I don’t know- intertwined, intersecting, intergalactic (oops, ignore the last one!) with each other and bridges and water canals in-between which seemed to me like the whole of Venice is a big geographical plate of spaghetti (Italian of course!).  Arrows pointing to the direction of the piazza are everywhere even in shops and restos probably because they got tired of being asked by tourists.  It was around 9pm that time and it started to rain (sure I missed the rain back in Saudi Arabia but not here, not now).  I found shelter in one of the shops’ canopy and good thing the rain didn’t last long.  After fifteen minutes’ worth of downpour, the rain finally calmed down so I went on my way.  Although most of the shops started to close, there were still a lot of tourists obviously heading towards the same direction of the piazza.  On the way, I came across the Rialto Bridge- one of Venice ’s landmark.  It spans the width of a very wide canal and along the banks are mostly restaurants and coffee shops and a hotel.  I went up to the Rialto bridge and got a lovely view of the surroundings.  The soft lights gave a good contrast against the night scenery and the dark water in my Lumix digital camera.

It was rather getting late so I continued the march to Piazza San Marco.  Not long, I am standing in front of Basilica de San Marco probably from which, the square was named after.  There were a lot to see in the square but it was already dark specially on the otherside where the gondolas are and there were only few tourists left so I just took pictures of the square and headed back to hotel.  I went back the following day and I saw more of the piazza which I haven’t seen last night.  The servizio gondole’s  are in operation but few took a ride.  Perhaps because 80 Euros per person was not appealing to the tourists at all.  There were a lot of groups each led by a tourist guide.  There were lovers, old folks, children everywhere and of course pigeons all over the piazza.  I took pictures of the Basilica de San Marco from the outside and inside as well.  Bags were not allowed inside but luckily the guards at the door allowed my plastic bags containing the souvenirs I bought.  Duomo was more lenient to photographers unlike here, the “staff” are wary of people taking photos of the basilica’s interior.  Of course, they were not able to reprimand

"The entire concaved ceiling is bejeweled with gold..."

everybody on a 1:30 ratio (the latter being the number of tourists) that

Campagnille di San Marco

everyone still took pictures inside.  And why not when inside the basilica is as majestic as the Dumo (only this is a much smaller version).  The entire concaved ceiling is  bejeweled with gold (real or not, I don’t know) mosaic tiles that it was actually sparkling- I was in awe at the sight of it!  There were paintings (by I don’t know who) and other stuffs similar to what I found inside Duomo.  I was only able to get a few shots when the staff called my attention for a reasons I know already so I placed my camera back in my bag before they confiscate it, if they really do that.  Just in front of the basilica is the Campagnille de San Marco- the basilica’s bell tower.  For 8 Euros, you get to go to the top so I did.  Good thing, there’s an elevator where tourists enter in batches of about 10 each time.  On the way to the top, (again) my claustrophobic tendencies signalled a feeling of discomfort to my brains that I was having a hard time breathing in that very cramped space.  As the elevator door opened, a blast of cold wind blew inside.  It was really cold out there at the top. 

A breathtaking view of Venice from the top of the campagnille.

 

Piazza di San Marco

At the top of the belltower

There were two uber gigantic bells and being there gives you a breathtaking view of Venice . You could  actually see from all sides of the campagnille.  The one that I liked best is the view at the west where The Great Canal lies- I took a nice shot of this!  There’s a coin operated binoculars on all for sides and in the middle just beside the elevator is a vendo type souvenir coin dispenser.  I took one for 3 Euros I think (right now I can’t find it- must have placed it in one of my clothes’ pocket). 

Basilica di San Marco

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     I have been there for some time and I was already freezing in the cold that I decided to go down and buy some souvenirs.  Since yesterday I have been lingering on the thought of whether to buy a venetian masque or not.  But they were too beautiful to leave behind so I bought 2 of them, one of which eventually was given away to a friend.  I was looking a “I heart Venezia” shirt but there was none so instead I bought this black number with gold rubberized “Venezia” across the chest, 2 Italian berets (black and brown) and few more keychains.  And oh, I also got this small  “pinnochio” puppet- must be famous in that place as I see them everywhere in the souvenir shops.  On the way back to the hotel I dropped by a Murano glass art shop and got my boss a pair of stained glass cufflinks and a choker for his wife.  I finally checked out of the hotel and headed back to the train station for a ride back to Milan .  Before the train started its engine, I was able to take a picture of the beautiful sunset and that was the last of the beautiful pictures of Venice not only in my camera’s memory card but also in my mind.  It was trully an incomparable experience I will never forget.  I woke up as the train went to a halt- I’m back in Milano Centrale.  This time, I decided to stay at Hotel Bristol just a block away from the station.  Tomorrow noon, I’ll be flying back to Saudi Arabia .  It would be bye bye dreamy land and hello back to the real world. 

The gondolas of Venice

I could still vividly recapture the moments of my entire trip to Italy to date as I am writing this down at this very moment.  It was like I was in places where I could only see in the postcards before.  Being there goes beyond admiring a place you’re just viewing in Google Images.  Although, travelling could be a taxing and costly endeavor but that’s just a portion of the entire cake.  Along with it comes the exhilarating experience that even for once in your life you might want to try- don’t ever forget to bring your camera!  The icing on the cake?  I would say lots and lots of screensaver!

"I was able to take a picture of the beautiful sunset and that was the last of the beautiful pictures of Venice not only in my camera’s memory card but also in my mind."

 

The Italian Interlude Part 5- The Swift Switzerland Sojourn

Last night’s sleep was the best I’ve had so far since I got here.  For one, yesterday I was totally knocked out after the looooong walk to duomo, around duomo and back to hotel.  Although my body had a good rest, my feet still feels tired like I could use a good foot massage.  As I was having breakfast (the hotel had same menu as yesterday) in the hotel, Marlo sent me another text message telling me that they’re on their way here from Riva del Garda and will be arriving in an hour’s time.  They will only be staying in Milan for a day because tomorrow they are Saudi bound.    Come to think of it, if my original itinerary has not been cancelled then I wouldn’t have enjoyed my Italy trip for they have spent most of the time in Riva del Garda and I would be watching the rather tedious choir competition.  I mean, I joined the entourage so I can tour Italy and who’s heard of Riva del Garda anyway?  It was indeed a blessing in disguise, for I will be staying back for two more days and I could still see Rome .  As they say “you haven’t been to Italy if you haven’t gone to Rome ” and besides; good friend, officemate, adviser, pastor and most of all brother in Christ Emmaus Trekker (who’s had quite a couple of mentions in this entire blog already.  I think I should start charging him with advertising fees plus more for the nice introductions! LOL) has been raving about it in the text messages he’s been sending me.  In this entire trip he’s become an OTA (over the air) tourist guide cum booking agent- accross the miles!  Which calls to mind that I had to retrieve my return e-ticket, in the email he sent me.  After having breakfast, I asked the guy at the frontdesk if there are internet cafés around.  Apparently there is only one but from the directions he gave me, it seemed rather far so I settled for the “internet point” in the hotel lobby.  It is only payable by swiping your credit card and the entire use (which took only about 5 mins) retrieval and printing 1 page costed me an agonizing 17 Euros- as agonizing as the “golden corns” for the pigeons.  Moments later, a bus came to a halt in front of the hotel and I knew it was the choir group.  All 18 people crowded the small hotel lobby and were assigned their rooms.  I have paid for my room until today so I have to transfer to a shared room with 2 of them as per the original booking we had.  They told me that they won silver in the folklore category of the competition and I was like “Wow! That’s really great” I pretended to be ecstatic like they just won a Grammy or something for whatever its worth.    We all went to the place of the sister of one of the members who’s been in Milan for about 6 years now where she prepared pork sinigang and oven-baked chicken for lunch.  Afterwhich, some opted to stay back in the hotel because they really didn’t have money while others went to Duomo as for Marlo, Joey (another member) and I decided to take a bus to

Foxtown Mall at Mendrissio, Switzerland

Switzerland where the closest gateway would be Mendrissio.  The ride on the

I just had to take a photo of myself with a Swiss flag no matter what!

 doubledecker was fun and it took only about an hour until we got to Mendrissio.  The return trip as mentioned in our bigglieta (ticket) was too soon that we didn’t have time to go to Luggano- a tourist spot in Switzerland .  We just went to Foxtown mall and did  hours of window and actual shopping and had a heavy snack of pizza- I wasn’t able to finish mine because it was too large for a single slice.  While waiting for the bus we spent the rest of the time taking pictures around the place until it was time for the bus to depart.  On the way back, I was telling them about the Castello and the  Duomo so when we arrived Milan , I became their tourist guide to those places.  The Piazza was less busy at night (fewer tourists and zero pigeons!) and like myself, they were amazed at the sight of the Duomo.  As usual we took each other’s picture specially at the nearby Castello which even looked lovelier at night!  We had dinner at an authentic Italian restaurant where we ate pasta and lamb chops with red wine on the side before taking the night off.  Tomorrow noon they will be departing to Saudi Arabia and I’ll be on my own to Rome .

"As usual we took each other’s picture specially at the nearby Castello which even looked lovelier at night!"