Tuesday just so happened to be my first I-hate-this-fucking-country-day. With all of the stores being closed from 1-3 and then out for the night by 6, I was unable to get a phone card to call my Mom. Instead at 7:30 am in the brisk Venice morning air I was pumping euro in to a pay phone that cost 30 cent per moment- I would say minute, but the phone seemed to count down faster than that. Any ways that, in addition to living in what is the Disneyland of Europe had finally worn a little thin.
Luckily, getting out of the city and riding over to Torcello helped calm all the nerves.Torcello is in the far side of the lagoon from Venice. It was the first area to be settled back when the Veneti were fleeing from raiding barbarians. Everything was going good for Torcello... by 639 AD they had made Santa Maria Assunta, were a major trade port, and even had a Bishop. Woot!
Well, come the 11th and 12th century things go wrong. All of a sudden the mud flats turn to swamp and a bad bout of malaria takes over. Everyone picks up shop (literally deconstructed their homes) and moved to Venice, Burano, or Murano. Torcello now has a population of 14 and is used as a popular place to have weddings. In Italy you have to be married in a church or it doesn't count.
Speaking of churches, there are two left. Santa Maria Assunta is spectacular inside. The two far walls of the church are covered in gold and everything is shinny. When you leave there is a great mosaic of the Final Judgement with all of the ways you can be punished for deadly sin. My camera ran out of batteries so I didn't get any sweet shots, but I have stolen stuff from the Internet. Nice!
Okay, I need to read. On Thursday I go to Florence for the day for a field trip. I promise not to run out of batteries this time!
3 comments:
sounds like it's going good cuz
how's the language coming?
(might want to allow non-blogger comments, don't know how many of da family has blogs)
Wow Val, you're getting to see all sorts of SWEEEEET stuff! All I see everyday is school... and work... yea me. P.S... I MISS GAME NIGHT!
We love your blog, Val.
Hope you have a great trip to Florence.
Jeri and I want to hear about the school, and your roommates.
We really enjoyed Venice last year. Watch the high water!
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