Ciaowdy!
What a beautiful day in Venice! After our first continental breakfast in a new hotel, the Italy Fish split into various groups to explore the city for the majority of the day. We all got significantly more comfortable with the vaporetto today, better understanding how to navigate between the islands.
Many of us visited St. Mark’s Basilica and Museum. After stepping inside, we gaped at the detailed interior and grand ceiling. We enjoyed the various historical and religious artifacts, while also getting to soak in the gorgeous view of St. Mark’s Square from the terrace and bell tower.
Another great attraction some of us visited was the Leonardo Da Vinci museum. It was incredible gaining a deeper appreciation of Da Vinci’s talents from art to analysis of human anatomy to innovations in mechanical engineering. The group toyed with dozens of gears and gadgets inspired by Da Vinci that gave us a deeper appreciation of one of the most intricate minds of his time.
After a hot day, some of us decided to cool off by taking a visit to the beach in Lido. The water was almost as refreshing as the street vendor’s fruit juice we had bought just a few moments before.
For many of us, experiencing Venice on our own was a breath of fresh air. We had the freedom to explore the city without many deadlines, and all used that chance uniquely. One group floated down the canals in a gondola, others focused on big-name attractions, and others still set aside time to lose themselves exploring the alleyways and shops less noticed by most tourists. All had a special experience that allowed them to dive deeper into the rich culture and history of the city. Many of us felt that Venice has a special “magic” that is somewhat indescribable. Between the vibrant colors, the winding alleyways, and the sweet sounds of street musicians, Venice is simply one of a kind; it screams “Italy!” at every corner.
After a day full of many adventures, we all returned to Ristorante Granviale for a ravioli dinner. As we later shared gelato, it sunk in for many that this would be our last night together with those from the Texas A&M Qatar campus. We spent some time reflecting with each other on the experiences we’ve had and special connections we’ve made. It’s hard to imagine that we are all nearing our time’s closure in Italy, so we are trying our best to make the most of the moments we have together these final few days.
See you soon, friends and family! Arrivederci!
Emily Hensley & Aaron Dutka
