 | By DeeDee Have you ever wanted to go to a place that can transport you to a totally different world? What is the first thing that comes to your mind? Does it look something like this? |
Welcome to the beautiful city of Venice, the only place where there are canals instead of roads and rowers instead of drivers. Here, they have boats and gondolas as their daily mode of transportation.
Imagine yourself in one of those little boats cruising through the streams, and you see square houses painted in an array of colours, with flowers on windowsills and curtains draping over doorways as you go. They look like dollhouses brought to life, only that they have actual families living in them and yes they also speak in Italian.
Imagine yourself in one of those little boats cruising through the streams, and you see square houses painted in an array of colours, with flowers on windowsills and curtains draping over doorways as you go. They look like dollhouses brought to life, only that they have actual families living in them and yes they also speak in Italian.
Every other tourist around you has their eyes glued to their cameras, not wanting to miss any photo opportunity. You too have your own camera on hand but the view is so breathtaking you suddenly forget how to take a picture. Everything is surreal. The stream is never-ending, but you wish it would never stop. You rest your head back and listen to the sound of the waters crashing against the boat as you feel the warmth of the sun on your face.
Above you are nothing but blue skies and puffy white clouds. Every now and then you have to go under the bridges that connect the walkways on each side of the stream. Soon after, the boat stops. Of course, nothing looks familiar to you and so you ask for directions. There is a famous bistro around the corner that is said to be one of the most romantic spots in town.
Above you are nothing but blue skies and puffy white clouds. Every now and then you have to go under the bridges that connect the walkways on each side of the stream. Soon after, the boat stops. Of course, nothing looks familiar to you and so you ask for directions. There is a famous bistro around the corner that is said to be one of the most romantic spots in town.
“Mi scusi, come faccio ad arrivare a questo posto?” you tried to ask in your best Italian accent.
“Ah! Questo bistrot. Cammina dritto, svoltare a sinistra...”
You have never been more puzzled in your entire life. What is he talking about? Clueless, you just focused on his hand gestures. He pointed straight, and then left. That was all you can take in. Just when you think you have seen all the beauty of Venice, you found yourself turning into an alley and you thought you have just entered a secret passage to Narnia. Even the alleys are lovely. Isn’t there anything displeasing about this city?
“Ah! Questo bistrot. Cammina dritto, svoltare a sinistra...”
You have never been more puzzled in your entire life. What is he talking about? Clueless, you just focused on his hand gestures. He pointed straight, and then left. That was all you can take in. Just when you think you have seen all the beauty of Venice, you found yourself turning into an alley and you thought you have just entered a secret passage to Narnia. Even the alleys are lovely. Isn’t there anything displeasing about this city?
The sky is getting darker. You continue your way through the alley, trying to name all the colours that catch your eye. Laundry hanging on the clothesline out the window and fresh plants and flowers sit in pots neatly. Every detail is perfect.
You peek through the windows and you see housewives working their magic in the kitchen, as the smell of authentic Italian pastas and pastries fill the alley. You hear melodious tunes of the violin from a distance and little children singing nursery rhymes. All of these give life to the streets. Little did you know, you reach the end of the alley and before you lay the prettiest bistro you have ever seen. What more surprises can the city give you?
Photos by: Discover P & O Cruises, Globe Rove, Tengase Presente, Pavel Gospodinov, Photo.Elsoar