The first time I stepped out of the train station in Venezia, I thought I’d fallen down a rabbit hole. Like stepping into a dream, it looked exactly as I had envisioned it. If possible, even more dreamlike.
First of all, there was a red and white pole in the forefront of my vision which looked like a candy cane on a Christmas tree. I wandered further into the cool winter sunlight. There were tiny bridges, Venetian windows, and flowerpots. The water was green and it swallowed the houses.
Some houses, or homes, had a back door opening straight into the canal and there were boats parked in front. Looking more closely, I noticed that most boats were loosely tied to wooden poles with rope. I had to wonder if they ever drifted away. Beauty seemed to be more important than functionality and I marveled at how things were prioritized in the opposite order in my home country.
Near the edge of the island, there was a chilly fog from the sea, and it seemed to reach right into my bones. As I tightened my scarf, I imagined historical scenes while passing from narrow street to another. Every now and then, a piazza would open up the view. I could point my camera anywhere and always come away with a beautiful shot.
My Italian friend took me to her grandmother’s for lunch. My friend’s grandmother was 90 years old, and though she lived in Venice, of all places, she had never spoken to a foreigner before! But she liked me, and with heartfelt friendliness and hospitality, she babbled away in Italian while showing me around her flat. And I responded as best I could. Her apartment was very posh and the walls were full of paintings.
The lunch was a baffling Italian affair, where you eat the dishes in a precise order, each plate separately, and you try not to act surprised at how much it differs from what you thought Italian eating was, based on restaurant experiences. While you enjoy your delicious meal, you keep thinking, “The pasta isn’t served with the meat!”, “How many more courses will they serve?”, and “I hope I’m not eating this wrong!”
The second time I visited Venice, another Italian friend served as a tour guide for me. He told me that the narrow streets were designed to twirl and twist, only to end in a surprising drop into the water so that enemies would ride their horses into the canal. I don’t know if it was true, but why not? In Venice, I felt like I’d believe anything. He took me to drink espresso standing by a dark bar counter in a place I would never have ventured into alone, and I got to imagine being a local for a moment. Donna Leon’s novels sprung to mind.
There was a third time, too. It was summer, hot, and touristy. I couldn’t quite capture the same magic as I had during my first two visits. But I know that magic is still there, and there will be a fourth time.
58 replies on “Venetian Moments”
Stunning photos, Venice is certainly a magical city. We visited for almost a week at Easter a few years back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I imagine Easter is a good time weather-wise, though it’s also a time when lots of people are traveling. Each of my trips have been day trips.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely. I’m glad you got to have a proper Italian meal. It reminds me of the first time I was invited to amore’s father for lunch. It was never-ending, all sea food that I adore, and a fat branzino was not the last dish. My two times in Venice had something in common: they were short, I didn’t dare to buy or order a single thing, except a boat ride, and the city appeared as a theatre set, a Disneyland for adults, something that you wonder about afterwards: was it real or just a dream?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, those Italian meals… I had a couple others, after this one, but each time I’ve been very nervous and surprised! 😀 And delighted, I mean, Italians really know how to cook with flavor. As for Venice, it was inspiring (artistically), but I can’t imagine what it would be like to live there!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What you say is very telling: “Beauty seemed to be more important than functionality and I marveled at how things were prioritized in the opposite order in my home country.” It seems that Italy is truly the only country in the world where such prioritizing actually works. And they are so proud of it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it does seem to work over there! Here, it’s just too cold to not think practically.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great piece with evocative photos. I’ve been to Italy many times but have not managed to get to Venice, I think partly from a fear it would be too touristy and not meet up to expectations. After reading this I think I will go!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d recommend going in the winter!! I much preferred my February visit to the ones I did in July-August. The atmosphere was completely different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The last time I was there was in 1997. Yes, I do miss Venice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t been there in ages, either! My trips were in 2003-2008. Almost went last summer but at the last moment, didn’t! Oh well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A second best to Venice is St Petersburg or Amsterdam. Both have charm and lots of water. Each time Venice is mentioned my friends warn me about tourists that go around insulting locals in bikinis and flaunt themselves in taking selfies with the camera stuck on a stick as to get a better picture.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Luckily selfie sticks weren’t yet invented when I was in Venice 🙂 That would have broken the magic for sure! St Petersburg has been on my list forever – it’s so close but feels so far away. One day soon…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful post. You do justice to the mystique and wonder in the photos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robyn!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great reading and beautiful photographs! Having lived in Italy for a few years I’ve been to Venice a couple of times and I love the magic of this city, especially if you go in off-season (November).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, off-season ks the best time! Plus, the winter’s damp, foggy weather just adds to the atmosphere
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely photos and writing, as always. Isn’t there something magical about cool afternoon suns, less crowds and the cold atmosphere? I ended up loving Vilnius for the same reasons when I visited in late October (minus temperatures already..) few years ago.
I have never been to Venice, in fact I’ve been avoiding it because I do not generally enjoy very touristy places..That Italian lunch sounds delicious. I think homemade lunches are just the best everywhere. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Homemade food can be great, I agree! Though I can’t really cook myself, hahah! Venice in the winter was not touristy at all! Locals only. I remember seeing an art school and thinking it would be nice to study there… You should definitely visit Venice, it’s very unique!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved the mention of pasta and meat! Venice sounds more like a wintery destination than a summer one, at least for me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, winter suits it somehow so well! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
lovely post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Tanja!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your wonderful photos captured the eerie allure of Venice ❤
Ciao
Sid
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Eerie allure”, exactly!!!!! Thanks, Sid! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today, it is a gray country, cloudy and gloomy. Winter is coming, the snow covers the mountains, and autumn is quickly giving way to a long, cold season!
Ciao
Sid
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here 🍂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful post. It brought back wonderful memories for me. Venice is one of my favourite places in the world. Indeed magical!
Alison
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Alison! I think Venice is really special, too. Unique. At least for short visits. I don’t know what would happen if you stayed there a longer while. Maybe the dampness would be annoying?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like many other commenting here, the touristy nature of Venice put me off a little. Italians really do know how to cook well! How wonderful to see Venice through the eyes of a local. I also think that story of the winding lanes and drop offs sounds quite plausible for bygone times. Even if that wasn’t their original intention!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still don’t think of Venice as touristy, at all, so I’m a little surprised that seems to be everyone’s impression. I’m pretty sure it depends on whether you travel there off-season or during high season. It’s such a small place that when there are tourists, you can’t miss them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That seems to explain it. I guess there is no other city with the mystique of Venice so I am ashamed to say I haven’t been there. Maybe one day….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe – hopefully! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos and I love the story to go with them! I’ve traveled in Italy several times but never made it to Venice. Some day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many places to see, so little time!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. Venice, and Italian food. Can never get too much of it. I read Dona Leon, too, to remember the atmosphere. Lovely photos 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks you! Donna Leon’s books are great for the atmosphere!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Meeting locals, being invited home and to share a meal with them really makes a visit special. Loved hearing about your lunch experience:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Inger! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous pics! Venice is so photogenic and you just caught it’s very essence.
Thanks for yet another tour of this beautiful city!
Have you read Britt’s tale about her visit there last month?
You’ll love it too!
Xoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the tip, I haven’t read it but will check it out! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post! The ideal of a backdoor that opens to the canal with a boat tied and waiting…so dreamy. I haven’t been to Italy yet, but Venice is calling me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s calling me, too – always! 😉 it really was such a dreamy place, at least when I visited, some years ago! Hope you’ll visit Italy soon! 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post definitely is magical and beautiful ❤
coralbuttons.wordpress.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for such a sweet comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad to have found your blog. Travel, writing, and photography are exactly my speed. Keep sharing! I appreciate your like on my flash fiction. You’ve found my new site in its infancy, but I’m moving over loads of content including around 50 or so flash fiction stories and digital edits like the one you liked so I hope you’ll consider following. I’m also planning to adding travel blogging on my upcoming trips, so I’ll look to be inspired by yours as well. Thanks again. I look forward to reading of your travels!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You convinced me, I just followed you! 🙂 Looking forward to reading and seeing more! Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Beautiful post. There is magic in the ‘new’ but you bring the magic with you. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
I’ve never been but now want to go more than every. And love the purple sky in the last image.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! I do recommend it! 😊
LikeLike
A fascinating post, and definitely magical. You describe the city’s character so well and your photos are wonderful. I might make it to Venice one day – after I’ve persuaded my obstinate husband, who really doesn’t fancy the idea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Millie! You need to work on some ideas to lure him there, hehee! 😉 Good luck, hope it works!
LikeLike
[…] and dreaming about magical Venice […]
LikeLike
The first photo is amazing !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! 🙂
LikeLike
You write like a dream!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahah, thanks! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person