2008 Woodie Awards
The Kitchen Is Closed
Chelsea Williams
Issue date: 10/2/06 Section: Life & Times
- Page 1 of 1
Yesterday, I stood atop a wall overlooking the island town of Pellestrina and was overcome with such gratitude for life's idiosyncrasies that I momentarily forgot that I was supposed to be smiling for a picture. One of the students beside me literally shook me out of my trance. After a perfect day of cycling along the beach at the Lido, the island that forms the border between Venice and the Adriatic Sea, we took a ferry to the charming Pellestrina and escaped the touristy atmosphere of central Venice for a short while. Although the island is notorious for excellent seafood, we happened to be there during the six-hour stretch between lunch and dinner that seems to be an Italian rule. Thus, we returned in a state of hunger and fatigue, topped off with sunburns and sore legs, but nothing could have made it a better Sunday.
My day at the Lido was the complement to a wonderful weekend spent exploring Venice and the nearby Padova. Since I arrived in Venice two weeks ago, I have felt like a wide-eyed child, and the trip to Padova on Saturday was no exception. Even the dingy train station was a new sight for me, and I actually had fun running along the tracks to find an open door as the train was leaving. When we got to Padova, one of the oldest cities in the Roman Empire, the first thing I saw was a McDonald's outside the train station. No matter how much I read or heard about the infiltration of American culture into every corner of the world prior to coming to Europe, I did not truly understand its extent. However, the McDonald's was the only unsightly part of Padova. It is a miniature metropolis, combining modern and traditional elements of everything from architecture to social customs.
In just one day, we toured three churches, including the Capella degli Scrovegni with the famous frescoes of Giotto, the incredible city hall, and the lively market. At the end of the day, we followed the advice of a friendly Italian man who told us to have some coffee and dessert at the oldest caffè in Padova. We caught one of the last trains back to Venice, having gotten a true impression of another part of the Veneto region. The boat ride back to the island of San Servolo along the Grand Canal at night was a beautiful way to end the day.
Some of the students here at VIU view this semester as a long vacation, others as a tough three months of studying in their second language of English. Luckily, I am unable to categorize it as either of these things. Instead, it is a multidimensional experience that has already brought me closer to my values, goals, and personality. I cherish the hours that I have spent alone unearthing the hidden treasures of this rich city as much as those I have spent engaged in vibrant discussion with my new friends. Learning outside of a classroom gives me the intellectual energy to be a more enthusiastic student in the classroom, and vice versa.
I do not have any adventures planned for this week, but they will arise. As long as I manage to avoid European-style public restrooms and remember to eat lunch before 2 p.m., I have no doubt that my time here will continue to be invigorating.
My day at the Lido was the complement to a wonderful weekend spent exploring Venice and the nearby Padova. Since I arrived in Venice two weeks ago, I have felt like a wide-eyed child, and the trip to Padova on Saturday was no exception. Even the dingy train station was a new sight for me, and I actually had fun running along the tracks to find an open door as the train was leaving. When we got to Padova, one of the oldest cities in the Roman Empire, the first thing I saw was a McDonald's outside the train station. No matter how much I read or heard about the infiltration of American culture into every corner of the world prior to coming to Europe, I did not truly understand its extent. However, the McDonald's was the only unsightly part of Padova. It is a miniature metropolis, combining modern and traditional elements of everything from architecture to social customs.
In just one day, we toured three churches, including the Capella degli Scrovegni with the famous frescoes of Giotto, the incredible city hall, and the lively market. At the end of the day, we followed the advice of a friendly Italian man who told us to have some coffee and dessert at the oldest caffè in Padova. We caught one of the last trains back to Venice, having gotten a true impression of another part of the Veneto region. The boat ride back to the island of San Servolo along the Grand Canal at night was a beautiful way to end the day.
Some of the students here at VIU view this semester as a long vacation, others as a tough three months of studying in their second language of English. Luckily, I am unable to categorize it as either of these things. Instead, it is a multidimensional experience that has already brought me closer to my values, goals, and personality. I cherish the hours that I have spent alone unearthing the hidden treasures of this rich city as much as those I have spent engaged in vibrant discussion with my new friends. Learning outside of a classroom gives me the intellectual energy to be a more enthusiastic student in the classroom, and vice versa.
I do not have any adventures planned for this week, but they will arise. As long as I manage to avoid European-style public restrooms and remember to eat lunch before 2 p.m., I have no doubt that my time here will continue to be invigorating.
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