Belated Italian impressions

Monterosso al Mare

It seems like an age ago, (it was actually last week...) and I haven't written about it yet! Italy was a revelation to us all I think. Monterosso al Mare was gorgeous, a return to our ocean views. But we in Nova Scotia are spoiled, we're used to oceans views, we probably even take them for granted. Monterosso was the equivalent of Cape Breton, but with turquoise water, gelato and espressos at every turn. (Also I don't think they rent beach umbrellas anywhere near Sydney). I could really spend much more time there, hiking along the coast, eating the fish and absorbing the atmosphere.

El Duomo

Firenze was art and history. I was prepared to think Firenze was my favourite, the nonstop 15th century churches, the artworks, the significant artworks: Michaelangelo's David made us gasp, and stare for a long time in disbelief and wonder. His power and significance was palpable. And the Duomo with its marble exterior makes me wonder again, at the power of faith.


But you know what? Venice was my favourite. It surprised me too. And I think I know why: its a different world! People there have lived differently there for hundreds of years, and they continue to do so! (What a pain it must be to do anything in Venice!) It was a little like Essaouira: car free and quiet (there were zero scooters in Venice though....), with narrow streets, friendly people and a real connection to the sea. The people in those places live in ways that are largely unfamiliar to me: Monterosso had some familiar elements, Firenze was still a big city, most people live similarly to me, but Venice? That was really special.

For us it was a treat, to be able to see the city from a boat, to be fascinated by simply watching traffic, to be amused by watching four tourists in a gondola all simultaneously taking pictures of each other out of shear joy, while the gondolier completely ignored them and exchanged witticisms with a friend floating past!

A typical Venetian view. Wow!

Well, we don't get that at home.

I loved visiting this other world.

It made for a real departure from my real world, and a clearer view of the Venetian's normal.