Carnival # 2: Venice

Venice Carnival. One of the oldest and most well known carnivals in the world. People dressed in extravagant costumes, ride gondolas to masquerade balls, drink champagne, and hide their sins of the night behind mysterious masks.

...Or so I thought...

Going to Venice with my best friend, and fellow English teacher was a bit different.

We arrived at the station in Pisa 40 minutes early, due to excitement, and thankful our boyfriends didn't mind waking up at six.  The train to Venice was splendid and first class.  I read my Italian Cosmo, and Elenor did her mind blowing, second language, word puzzles.

We arrived, and within five minutes we were in our excellent, grand canal, four star, well worth it room.  The plan then, was to go explore, return and change for dinner and bars.

Well, we took a while to find anything, but enjoyed the way. Took videos that we expected to be staged but ended up being candid. I mean, who stops directly in front of the actor. (In video)

Elenor was asked many times if she was Italian, because she speaks so well. I was told many times I must be American. Most likely because I am loud and smile far to often.

Finally to San Marco, we are shocked by the amount of non-Venetians dressed up. Fake and not expected. We wanted the extravagant from the experts that live there, not the Germans on holiday.

We decided to walk back now, change and grab dinner. Cheap dinner since we ate a way too expensive lunch--also worth it! We got lost. Then found a quiet place to eat and make sure the tiramisu covered in too much coco wouldn't make us choke. (In video)

When we got back to the hotel we dressed our best, put on our masks, and high heels, headed for a ball. We got on the wrong water taxi, and 3 hours later arrived in an empty San Marco. What? Elenor walked and I hobbled...due to tachi, for about 10 minutes.  Decided to go back to the hotel, as sober as one could get. We missed carnival. (In video)

The next morning we took a quick trip down the grand canal after a nice cappuccino. Today we would go to Murano, known for glass, and Burano, known for lace. Hop on a taxi again, and quickly realize it's the wrong one. End up where we started, and an hour and a half later in Murano.

We shop for glass. We go to Burano. We shop for lace.  We go back to Venice. Convinced we should have a glass of vino in San Marco we attempt to find the square.  Get lost. Follow a couple men dressed as bananas to our destination. Check the time. Freak out. Run to get our bags. Run to get the train. Collapse. Weekend over. Memories made. Better than expected.

Italian Chef: The Ultimate!!!

Well, let's face it Americans. If asked what our favorite food is, most of us will say Italian. For good reason. Italian food is the best. Italian food in Italy...better! So, on my year adventure, I have decided to become an expert chef.

Not an easy task, but with Italian friends for guidance, I have been able to make excellent dishes.

Usually I provide everyone with a simple recipe, this time, a cooking video. But wine got in the way. So understand what you will about my friends and I. This bilingual video is perfect to have fun the Italian way.

Special note: I am a vegan that gave it up for one excellent meal. (It's difficult to be vegan in Italia.)
And, yes this song is Spanish, but we danced all night to it...so perfection!

Carnival #1: Carnavale di Viareggio

Carnival. Celebrated around the world. A festival with Catholic origins. The last big 'HooRay!' before giving up something for lent.

When you think of carnival you probably think of Rio. Maybe Venice. Possibly New Orleans. Italians think of Italian cities. So for my first carnival experience I went to one very famous in Tuscany, Viareggio. (The beach town I have been to many times.)

Now let me tell you, when I came to Italy and thought of carnival, I thought of parties, dancing, and lots of alcohol. When I went this past weekend with Marco, I expected to drink many beers. Not what I got. Carnival in Italy is family friendly (and politically impolite.) It really is just a month long Halloween.

Every one is dressed in a character they would rather be, as they gather in the streets to see an amazing parade of floats.

 

Around five Marco said we needed to go to the bar. I thought, finally beer for the party in the street. Nope, he just wanted a coffee. Huh? I have to remind myself, Italy is not Spain. Carnival is not Mardi Gras. (Actually it is, but the way it is celebrated in Tuscany...different.)

A good lookin' couple, indeed

 





We walked and talked, and I explored a new culture. We stared at all the customs, and found the best one. Some flies were chasing around this man dressed as a pile of...well you figure it out.

 

Now, I am calling this Carnival #1 because this weekend I get to go to Venice for Carnival with one of my best friends, Elenor. Thrilled. This is one thing I definitely wanted to see when I came here. Stay tuned to see the difference.



Daddy, Buon Compleanno!

Missing the best daddy in the world today!

Happy Birthday Daddy! I hope you have the greatest day, and miss me while you are at it. I will see you soon.
(P.S. There is a gift on the way!)

Italy Top 10

My Top Ten from Living in this wonderful country:

10. Proximity to other countries. Within two hours you can be in about 25 different countries with completely different cultures. If you want a well rounded education...Europe.


9. Fashion. How many designers are from Italy? (Point made.) Walk down the street, how many people do you see in sweat pants? Multiply this number by 300. The answer...0. (Point made again.)


8. History. My country is about 300 years old. Italy is about 3000 years old. Through the ages, they have been a huge power and influence on the world. Where do you think the toga party started? Thank you Romans.


7. Wine. Ask a friend where the best wine in the world comes from. Even if they have never tasted wine, they know the correct answer is Italy.


6. Cities. Name the most romantic and visited cities in the world. Ok, how many were in Italy? Exactly.


5. Scenery. Watch any good chick flick. Where is the getaway? The Tuscan countryside.


4. Lifestyle. Morning coffee. Slow pace to work. Friendly faces. Huge delicious lunch. Delightful afternoon in an old yet lovely city. Meet friends. Wine and apertivo. Fantastic dinner. Stroll through a orange lit street.


3. Art. All of the Ninja Turtles were named after Italian artists. How much more proof do you need?


2. Food. Pizza. Pasta. Gelato. Wine. Tiramisu. Limoncello. Olives. Cheese. Bread.


1. Romance. Italians are in love with love. And when you love the way Italians do, there is no better way to say it than Ti Amo.

Shakespeare in Love

A weekend away with my wonderful boyfriend. His idea. A new art exhibit in the city of love. Yes, I think it is a brilliant idea.

Verona. This is the city of three of Shakespeare's wonderful plays. The most famous, of course, being Romeo and Juliet. Heard of it? Of course you have. Tragic love story where teenagers make decisions about life and death far too quickly. But set in a beautiful city.

So how did this romantic  getaway go. Well, it started with us hitting a person on the scooter before we left Pisa. His fault, and after waiting for the insurance to come and check it out, we got a pretty late start on this road trip. Luckily, this gave me time to create a play list for the car. Unfortunately, the flash drive did not work. So three and a half hours to talk to one another. A man who's first language is not English, a girl who speaks basically no Italian. And what a spectacular trip it was. We can talk, and do it well.

Arrive in Verona, and accidently get the best parking spot you could get....score! Rain. Rain. Rain. One umbrella, so I stay close...(let's just pretend that is because of one umbrella.) The evening we arrive we enjoy the city, see the Arena (breathtaking), visit and wonderful piazza, and venture to 'Juliet's' house. Yes, I saw her balcony and squealed a little to be in such a pseudo romantic spot with a truly fantastic person.

The next day we stand in line for two and a half hours to see an amazing exhibit. Monet and impressionism. My favorite period in art, and a romantic one at that. (Van Gogh is my favorite!)  I loved walking around fantastic art, wandering into new rooms, and looking around to see if Marco was looking at me or a painting.

We toured a ancient arena. Roman. Old. Fantastic. Where the best operas in the world are held. Seriously, the rain could not affect how perfect this city is.

Arena

Lights from the rain

Juliet's balcony

Love locks

When Marco had the camera

 

So world travelers. Visit Verona. It is a special city. Even in the rain it is beautiful. Even if in any other circumstance the weekend would have been horrible, when the allure of a lovely Italian town hits..it hits hard.

 

As Shakespeare says in Hamlet

 

Doubt that the stars be fire, doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth be a liar. But never doubt my love.

 

...in a travel mood.