It's Week 3 in Venice, and I'm feeling eager for our new classes to start and for schools in Venice to resume. While I enjoy having some free time after class, I'm looking forward to meeting other Italian young people, joining the chorus, and starting our archeology, art history, and music history courses!
Last weekend, after the organ recital I mentioned in the previous blog, my professor and his wife recommended that I try the rotisserie chicken at una salumeria (or in english deli) near our apartment. I checked it out and have started to become friends with the owners! Two sisters, Marta and Theresa, own the business. I applaud them for having their own business as women and for being a good example for other women who aspire to own a business as well! They can speak English but not very well, so while communication is a bit challenging, it forces me to practice speaking Italian, which is great! Here are a couple of photos of their shop:
Last weekend, after the organ recital I mentioned in the previous blog, my professor and his wife recommended that I try the rotisserie chicken at una salumeria (or in english deli) near our apartment. I checked it out and have started to become friends with the owners! Two sisters, Marta and Theresa, own the business. I applaud them for having their own business as women and for being a good example for other women who aspire to own a business as well! They can speak English but not very well, so while communication is a bit challenging, it forces me to practice speaking Italian, which is great! Here are a couple of photos of their shop:
This weekend my roommates and I left Venice for the first time since we arrived on August 1st! We purchased train tickets to Padua (called Padova in Italian) for 4 Euro each way, and the train ride took about 25 minutes. Once arriving in Padova, we were able to compare Venice to its neighbors. We noted the often overlooked details that reminded us of our homes. For instance, an ambulance drove past us on a paved road rather than as a boat on a canal. Also, the buildings more than five stories high! While Venice is great, I felt refreshed while spending the day in a place that felt slightly more like the Washington metropolitan area.
Our first stop in Padova: The University of Padova! It's the second oldest university in Italy after the University of Bologna and one of the oldest universities the world! The first woman to receive a doctoral degree from a university, Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, graduated from the University of Padova! She received her degree in Philosophy. Also, scientist and scholar Galileo Galilei taught here for 18 years. I felt inspired while on this historically significant campus.
When we exited through the large campus gates, a man with a huge video camera resting on his shoulder and a man with a microphone (journalists, we believe) approached us and asked something in Italian. I responded with a smile, "Non parlo Italiano." They were friendly to us, and we left laughing and trying to piece together what the man had asked us. We compiled the bits and pieces that each of us understood and concluded that basically he asked us our opinion of the university. We didn't have an answer for him this time, but I am confident that in a couple more months we will be much more proficient in Italian.
In moments like these, part of me would prefer an instant download of the Italian language into my brain. However, another part of me values the struggle in conversation with Marta and Theresa in la salumeria. I remind myself that connections with people, cultures, and languages take time, so I must appreciate and embrace the process.
Next, we made our way over to the market. On one side, the market had numerous selections of fruits, vegetables, spices, jams, flowers, seeds and more. On the other side, we saw clothing items, leather bags and belts, household items, and books. In between the two sides of the market was a strip of food shops selling le carne (meats) and i dulci (sweets).
In moments like these, part of me would prefer an instant download of the Italian language into my brain. However, another part of me values the struggle in conversation with Marta and Theresa in la salumeria. I remind myself that connections with people, cultures, and languages take time, so I must appreciate and embrace the process.
Next, we made our way over to the market. On one side, the market had numerous selections of fruits, vegetables, spices, jams, flowers, seeds and more. On the other side, we saw clothing items, leather bags and belts, household items, and books. In between the two sides of the market was a strip of food shops selling le carne (meats) and i dulci (sweets).
Here's a clip of a man singing and playing the guitar in Padova. The tune was stuck in my head for the duration of lunch! I couldn't understand all of the lyrics he sang, but later I looked up some of the lyrics. He performed a cover of Talkin' Bout a Revolution by Tracy Chapman!
After lunch, we walked over to the Basilica of Saint Anthony which houses Saint Anthony's tomb. That basilica is gorgeous! As soon as I walked in, a wave of awe surged over my head as I was struck by the majestic atmosphere. Unfortunately, we were not permitted to take photos inside, but I did get one outside of the building (It didn't prepare me for what I saw inside).
We relaxed at Prato della Valle, the largest square in Padova and one of the largest in Italy! It's really an elliptical square. There's a fountain at the center surrounded by a grassy park area called Memmia Island, and it has two rings with a total of 78 statues at its borders. My roommates and I found a tree with some shade to relax under. Around us were couples, families with children, and groups of friends. I enjoyed laying out on the grass with my roommates and getting to know them better.
Our next stop: Caffè Peddrochi- we didn't stay very long, but we each bought one of these little dulci! Yumm :-)
We walked through some plazas with shops and lots of teenagers and young adults! One shop called Bubble Tea had a line of young people that went out the door! Shortly afterwards we took an evening train out of Padova. The tickets we bought didn't come with assigned times of departures or assigned seats, so we had options for what time we wanted to leave, which was nice. When we arrived back at the train station in Venice, for the first time, I called Venice "home." :-)
School's much busier this week. I had a composition due today, a quiz and presentation coming up on Wednesday, and a final exam on Friday (already!). After that, we have a long weekend before the semester officially begins. I'm planning to do more traveling this weekend (possibly a soccer game in Milan!), so stay tuned!
Thanks to everyone who has sent me a note so far! It was nice to hear from you.
Enjoy your week, friends. :-)
J McKoy
School's much busier this week. I had a composition due today, a quiz and presentation coming up on Wednesday, and a final exam on Friday (already!). After that, we have a long weekend before the semester officially begins. I'm planning to do more traveling this weekend (possibly a soccer game in Milan!), so stay tuned!
Thanks to everyone who has sent me a note so far! It was nice to hear from you.
Enjoy your week, friends. :-)
J McKoy