2010 Blogs

buona sera

06/01/2010

Today was Jessica's favorite day of the trip.

VENICE VENICE VENICE!!!!

We had class over breakfast and it continued from Lido Island where we are staying until piazza san marco and all around Venice. We were going to go into it and into the basilica but we're saving that for tomorrow when it rains. Since we were so close, we had coffee at the Florian. This coffee shop is highly significant because it opened in 1720 and has been in business since. It has served many composers of old including Stravinsky who is a favorite of many in this group. It has also served great writers and dignitaries alike. It was really good coffee and they had fantastic live music as well. 7 people managed to drop over 100 euro on 6 coffees, one dessert, and two cokes with lemon. WORTH EVERY EURO for the experience and knowledge and sights that came with this.

Another awesome place and a teaser for San Marco is the Basilica S. Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. We went here to visit Casanova and Monteverdi's graves. Monteverdi is credited for fathering opera. We paid our respects to him and his site was pretty busy as you can imagine. Also, if you ever come to Venice you absolutely have to come here. The building is astonishing and amazing in almost every way. The structures and architecture are beautiful. The woodwork is so intricate and built into everything. There were nearly no words. Of course, no photography so you guys just have to come here and see it.

Some of the group also visited the opera house here in Venice. It was really beautiful inside and the acoustics seem like they would be great. Unforunately, no operas for us. The next one is after we leave town but it is fun to imagine. I bought some postcards here because photography wasn't allowed and I'm pretty sure my dad and my architect friend would kill me if I did not.

The group also experienced more delicious food and coffee, though we begin to feel the pull of the big city. You can't find gelato like in the small town of Alba unless you escape the tourist trap areas and find side streets or go to one of the smaller islands. It is also cheaper there. Venetian restaurants near these large and important sites think they are smart because they won't charge a cover that most places do here in Europe, but they'll tack on a 12% service charge and also charge anywhere from 2 to 5 euro for a bottle of water. Something else cultural that I cannot get used to is paying for a public restroom. I understand that in Venice it is necessary because it takes a lot to maintain the sewage from not getting into the water but we still plan our trips around visits to the hotel for a powernap and restroom break so we can save our euro for gelato. Also, I found most of the gifts I'm getting for people today as did many of the group.

Have a great evening all and I'll post again tomorrow night and then super early on Thursday because Thursday night we are taking the sleeping car train from Venice to Vienna, Austria! No, I will not be singing selections from the Sound of Music. I might be shunned from the class.

much love, jess the transcriber and the music capitals class crew.

ps- special thanks to aaron hill for actually reading the blog. holla!