On Friday, February 19th, the whole class at Trinity College planned an excursion to Venice! We left the convent at around 8:30 and took a private bus to the Termini in Rome. From there we boarded a train that’d take us straight to Venice. It was about a four hour trip and slightly agonizing. But the scenery out the window was absolutely gorgeous. Green fields and forested hills. I only wish I had the window seat! I was so tempted to lean over the person next to me and snap some pictures! The nuns at the convent also packed lunch for us; two sandwiches and two pieces of fruit. So at least I wasn’t hungry. Once in Venice we took a boat to the island and got settled in Hotel Messner at 1:30. There wasn’t a lot of time to rest because there was an orientation tour scheduled at 2:00.
The tour was to give us a general idea of where we were situated because Venice is literally a maze and for someone with a horrible sense of direction and prone to getting lost it’s a nightmare. But luckily the hotel was near the Academia and Guggenheim (which I didn’t have time to visit) so it was hard to stay lost. The first stop was to the Piazza S. Marco which was by far the highlight of this trip for me. The architecture was magnificent and the whole square was so full of life. Not to mention the shopping, so much Murano glass and Carnival masks! Now I’ve really got to see Murano! There’s also this great cafe, Cafe Florian (I think) that has some of the best hot chocolate. If you’re willing to spend 12 euros on a drink make it this one.
Beyond the Piazza, we took a left and walked past the Bridge of Sighs near the old prison. Farther down we came across the Church of S. Zaccaria. In all honesty, I saw so many churches this weekend I can’t remember if I went inside. Back at the hotel we had dinner; pasta with a vodka sauce, chicken and french fries, and tiramisu.
On Saturday, there was a tour at 9:30 right after breakfast. Our stops were the Church of S. Maria della Salute, the Church of the Gesuati, and the Academia. I was able to see the work of Tintoretto and Titian, among other artists.
The tour ran a little long so I didn’t have much time for myself before lunch. Again we ate at the hotel but I can’t complain. The food was amazing, pasta with a pesto sauce, roasted chicken and a salad, and flan for an early dessert. Heaven! At 3:00 there was another tour and I was the only one who showed up…VIP treatment! So the professors, Izabella (our resident fellow), and I went to the Scuola di Rocco, which had beautiful large-scale paintings and wood sculpture, the Church of S. Maria dei Miracoli, and the Church of S.S. Giovanni e Paolo. The tour was definitely worth it and more personal since I was the only attendee. Afterwards I drank tea with the professors. Tried Chamomile for the first time. So good…so sleepy. Saturday was my busiest day and did a lot of walking. By the time the tour ended the sun was going down but I managed to make my way back to the Piazza S. Marco. Absolutely beautiful at night.
Sunday was the last day of the trip and at around 10:30 we made our way to the Church of S. Giorgio Maggiore where I met up with Uncle David. He came on the tour with me and we both took the elevator to the top of the Belfry. I could tell you how beautiful the view was but I’d rather show you.
Afterwards, we had about an hour and forty five minutes to ourselves so we went for lunch in this quiet restaurant off an alley from the Piazza; we were the only ones there! We split a seafood salad and a pizza. When I first saw the salad I freaked out internally while maintaining a calm composure. I was like, “Where’s the lettuce!?” Raw squid, octopus, and mussels in a lemon butter sauce, that was it. It was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten and I can’t stop thinking about it. Where do I get more!? The pizza was great too, topped with a spicy sausage. I need to go back to Venice. I want the food!
I’m glad I got to see my Uncle, even if our time together was rushed. The boat that took us to the train station left at 1:15 and I didn’t get back to the convent until around 6:30. I had so much fun and I can’t believe the weekend trip is already over. I’m already making plans this Spring Break to go back. Until next time, Venice!
Update: My shoe is back, it’s been corrected, and most of the pain is gone. I can bear it during the day but by the end the pain comes back but it’s not as bad as before. Baby steps.