Train Travel

Venice

We took the train from Florence to venice. We had just three days here but it was well spent! Walked out from the train station right to the water and took a boat to our hotel Bel Sito. The boat dropped us off at a narrow passageway, not wider than that of one person. The hotel was to the left of the end of the passageway. As there are no cars in Venice, we walked along looking into glass and mask shops, churches,a modern art museum, and taking pictures of the canals. Pictures of Doges Palace were a must and I remember learning about it in art history four years ago. Though not as hot and humid as my weeks in Florence, the weather here was perfect. All the buildings are connected, not individuals like in the Sates. Most of the buildings take on peach and salmon hues but all the churches are without color.

Doges Palace had more pigeons than I have ever seen. When pigeons die around the world, they must be reborn here! Flocks and flocks startled by a child running by take to the sky, swooping over the crowd, then settle back to the ground. Because of the gross of pigeons, anyone visiting might not want to wear their best outfits. But the sky was pure blue with not a cloud in site.
While in San Marco square, we decided to visit San Marco cathedral. Looking up while waiting in line you'll see gold mosaics that flicker in the sunlight. The spires on top are very detailed, gorgeous. Gothic. After paying 3 euros to go to the top, we took a picture for a couple overlooking Doges palace and the water and they reciprocated the act for us.

We ate at a quaint little restaurant-a place where the tourists almost never go. Mom ordered some noodle dish with squid ink and feeling non adventurous, I ordered pasta. The waiter and owner cautioned mom about her dish saying that tourists tend to be afraid of that dish, but she ordered it anyway. When it arrived and we tasted it, mom really enjoyed it. I tried it and like it as well, though I didn't eat too much of it as the texture go to my nerves. Very chewy. Mom's lips were purple.

Mom was fortunate enough to find a chinese restaurant for me for lunch. I was so happy just to NOT have Italian for at least one day! It was so good. I had won-ton soup, rice, etc.

[u]Milan[/u]

We left Venice early in the morning just as the sun was peaking up over the buildings, leaving with us an incredible view with the gold reflections in the water, mimicking the sheen of the buildings.

I wanted to show mom a cafe/shopping building that my class stopped in a couple weeks ago. Specifically a flower book where photographs had been altered in a really beautiful way and merchandising from the fashion shop below. 10 Corso Como was closed when we came to it this time, not scheduled to open again until September. Upon returning to the train station to central Milan we noticed a rather HOT billboard for Dolce & Gabbana. Daam!

Once in the center of Milan, there were many adds of previous events for Gianni Versace. My favorite was of a woman with her arms spread to a piano above and her feet tip toeing on a mirrored one below. I showed mom the main shopping area with the glass ceiling and high end boutiques. Can you believe a deluxe Mc Donald's right across from Prada?! After mom had an opportunity to visit Milan's Duomo, I had to show her the H & M store-a new favorite of mine and the Ferrari store.

The Ferrari store is a perfect example of excellent merchandising. When you enter, it sounds as if a sports car on the race tracks has just turned the corner. There is a well dressed man at the entrance as well, as with most stores in Milan and Florence, acting as a greeter and guard against theft. Inside, there's the silver stallion on the wall, TV's next to Ferrari merchandise showing races, a race car near the entrance. Downstairs there's a race car for kids to drive with a screen above showing the track, legos built into ferrari cars, and every kind of toy possible by ferrari, including teddy bears dressed in driving gear. Up stairs, there's the higher end section with items such as wallets, coats, watches, etc that would have no trouble wiping out your pocket book. Motors and other car parts around the store, in pristine condition catch your eye. All together, four floors scream FERRARI. Zoe would have been in heaven.