As much as I would like to claim that my interest in Venice was sparked by it playing host to the most important contemporary art event in the world, I'll sheepishly report that it is actually Johnny Depp who is to blame. Johnny and the emaciated figure of Angelina Jolie in the 2010 rom com - The Tourist. I'll not go into too much detail about why I was watching the film, but safe to say it had something to do with finding myself alone in a Brisbane hotel room and in want of some/any entertainment. But, getting back to the point, the film is set in Venice and when I could no longer look upon the gaunt face of Ms Jolie, I remember thinking there was surely no better looking city on this earth. And now I've seen it in the flesh, I think my original guess is quite correct. The theme park reference, stolen from a friend, is accurate in so far as it is so fantastical, it's hard to believe it's a real place where people apparently sit down to dinner every night and send their kids off to school every day.
I should note here however that my first impressions of the place were greatly hindered by the indignity of 34 degree heat, and the weight of 25 kg of suitcase. Upon arrival from the airport to the bus stop nearest my hotel, I was fully prepared that I would need to walk the short distance, as cars are unable to access the small lanes. I was not prepared however for the numerous bridges - all stepped, and the aforementioned blazing heat. Since the bridges are stepped, wheeling a case over them is impossible. One must carry the suitcase. All 25 kg of it. I was so devoid of all my dignity towards the end of the journey that, when a seedy looking character attempted to help me, I slapped his hand and shouted 'no' in his face. He was lucky to get away with only that, as I was so irate I think I may have punched him if he provoked me any further.
Eventually though, after many map consultations, I found my shabby little room with no canal view in sight, but, with a resident pigeon who likes to coo from my window night and day. After shaking 'ratty' (my new pigeon friend's nickname), from the shutters on five different occasions, I've decided to let him be. This is his town after all, and I'm a mere tourist who gets to enjoy the spoils.
And enjoying the spoils I have been. Never one to bother too much with maps (having no skill in actually understanding them), I have gotten myself joyfully lost amongst Venice's laneways only to regather my wits over a cold beer in one of the many town squares located conveniently around every corner. I've seen more masterpieces that I can recall or even comprehend, and I've been exposed to some genuinely interesting and exciting contemporary art.
Due to the heat however, I've been unable to indulge in my other great travel passion - eating. Two meals a day and gelati is all the fuel I can handle. Therefore, determined to not leave Italy without at least one great pasta to gush over, I'm going to make my next stop Milan. It is looking to be as hot as Venice, but, thankfully there will be no canals to get in my way.
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