tonight I believe that I will dream in Italian

Early this morning I had the thudding realization that we are leaving for Europe in less that two weeks and I'm so not prepared.  No reservations made other than the plane tickets, no real idea about what we want to see and do while there, no lists started to prepare for packing small.  We spent several hours today pouring over guidebooks and maps, looking up hotels and schedules and fee charts online, and generally planning our trip.  I feel much less panicked now.

We are going to Venice first.  I have wanted to go to Venice for as long as I can remember.  I have been enchanted by the canals, the idea of boat as a primary means of travel, the flamboyance of the art and architecture, the mystique of the place.  But when I read the beginning of the Lonely Planet guide this summer, I wondered if I'd fallen in love with the idea of a place that doesn't exist.  The guidebook described it as a place that was dying, unfriendly, closed to non-Venetians but still overrun with tourists.  And ominously, sinking.  Dire warnings of floods during November, side remarks about this or that area best skipped.  Disappointed, I stalled out on the rest of the trip planning, no longer excited at the prospect of the place I'd most wanted to see.  But my excitement is returning now.  I've been talking to people who have been there (all but one who were utterly romanced), reading other literature, falling in love with the idea of the place again.  The thing that turned me around was the book "A Thousand Days in Venice" by Marlena Di Blasi.  It is a small book, charmingly square.  And a beautiful, etheral photo of a gondola on the cover.  Marlena's voice is all that I wanted to love about Venice.  Sensual, textural, musical, mysterious.  I've been rationing out my reading, so not to reach the end too quickly.  This is how much I am enjoying this book. 

Reading about this intriguing city, reading the names of places and their history, hearing the beautiful lilt of Italian in my mind, imagining us walking down ancient streets, eating pizza and wine standing at the bar with locals, visualizing the pictures I will find and bring home...  I'm in love with Venice again.

Comments

[Linda]

Venice is one of my favorite cities! It really is magical. You might want to take insect repellent, though, mosquitoes may not be bad this time of year (I've only been there in summer when it is warm and mosquitoes bite non-stop). Be sure to rub some of your sketchbook pages ON the buildings to grab some local color.

[Mom]

Grandma and Grandad have been to venice, and I think it was a positive experience. Perhaps you should ask them about it . . . ?

[Jamie]

What does Rick Steves have to say about Venice (insert evil grin).... I am super stoked for your trip, can't wait to hear about the limonchello and 2am rendevous!!! Oh wait, you're not traveling with me, hmmm... well you'll just have to tell me all about the art museums and eat beer flavored gelato for me!!! Cheers!!!