A Pinay in Europe

When I went to Nice beach for the first time and saw breasts of all sizes and ages exposed in the open, I didn’t know if I will stare or not.  I was shocked alright, but I was fascinated as well.  I asked my husband why these women are exposing themselves and he said it’s normal, everybody does it, nobody minds, as long as it is done on the beach.   What is not normal is when someone like me stares at them! 
 

Years passed and I don’t stare at them anymore. I’m used to it. Same as their own sons and male colleagues or male neighbours are used to it when they all go out to the beach for swimming and picnic.

I have accepted the fact that European women are different from those of other continents (except Africans who also expose their breasts but that’s part of their culture).   They regard The Body as something beautiful, like Art, which should not be hidden but rather flaunted.   Even the pregnant woman displays her swollen abdomen in public in all its bulge and splendor.  

European women enjoy the freedom to express themselves.   And this freedom extends in the way they dress.   They could wear anything they want, as long as it doesn’t offend anybody and nobody minds.  You see fat women on the beach wearing bikinis and nobody stares or makes fun at her.

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The campsite surrounded by matured olive trees

I’d like to tell a story about a Canadian family of 4 whom we met at the campsite in Corfu, Greece where we pitched tent.

The couple, in their late 30s, are both teachers and living in a small village somewhere in Canada where the population is only 200 and the winter temperature is -35!. They have carefully planned this 3-month European adventure with their 2 daughters which H and I were quite impressed how nice of Canada to let their pupils go off on a holiday during the school term!

They were about to fly to Rome the next day. They have been touring Greece via a rented car, a big one at that, to accommodate all their personal belongings and camping gears. They camped everywhere they went. It had to be, since four people staying in hotels or holiday accommodations would have cost a fortune! We imagined, it was a budget adventure for them but it was fun (except that the missus was already ranting about the continuous rain, that’s what you expect in April!).

I said “budget” because when they bade goodbye the next day, they surprisingly gave us their leftover provisions and things which were impossible to pack and take to the plane like plastic table, toiletries, food and, listen to this: dried beans of all types, shapes and sizes! There were so much beans that, until now, as I type, they are still sitting in my pantry! So they probably were on a bean diet the whole time! But what really touched me the most? they gave us their thick and glossy Greek atlas! I almost cried when I saw it! I never imagined people - on a bean diet for the last three months - would willingly give up a beautiful thing like that  If only there was an address written somewhere in the atlas, we would definitely have sent them a thank you card and a bouquet of roses ordered online!

Anyway, they mentioned that they were dropping their big car at the car rental agency just before they go to the airport, then another car, already owned by them, bought via the internet - will be waiting for them in Rome and this they will use in touring Italy. And when their Italian adventure is over, the same car will be handed over to a new owner who already bought it… even before the Canadian family took physical possession of it!

So TWO SALES involving the same car have taken place ONLINE!
That’s availing of 21st century technology just to travel back to the middle ages! Cool!

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For a stay of 3 days, buy a vaporetto ticket valid for 72 hours! Much much cheaper in the process as you can avail of unlimited boat rides in and around Venice including to and from the islands of Burano, Murano, Lido, Torcello.

I highly recommend Burano, the colorful fishing village. Buy your Murano glass necklace there for as low as 5euros! If you fancy a Venetian souvenir, a miniature mask is ideal.

Buy a map of Venice. Go sightseeing with it, but allow yourself to get lost into the maze of tiny alleys and dark corners. The more you probe, the more amazing discovery you will find..each promising a visual delight that will tickle your imagination about how glorious the architects in those days were and how generous the Italians are in sharing their historical monuments to the world!
When you get lost and hopelessly crying to get out, don’t worry. You are not alone. You will stumble upon couples groping their way as well, despite a map in one hand. The trick: search for a local peeking out of the window and utter the words “San Marco” or “Rialto” in a questioning intonation and s/he will be delighted to point you to the right direction.

Start your itinerary by taking a Vaporetto ride (Boat no. 1) from Piazzale Roma to San Zaccaria. With your camera in tow, grab the frontmost seat on the boat and enjoy an uninterrupted view of all the splendour and architectural marvels of Venice, as seen from the Grand Canal.

You should repeat this exercise once at daytime and once at night (via the night boat or N for Notturna). For at night, you will get to see a different perspective. The colorful lights along the canal takes you to dreamland and the chandelier lights inside buildings give you a glimpse of the splendour inside those houses and mansions. A real feast to the eyes!

Wear comfortable footwear. You will be walking and walking until your feet hurts but your curiosity still aching for more!

San Zaccaria is where you start your walk towards Piazza San Marco and beyond. The best times to be in the Piazza are (1) before the crowds arrive in the morning and (2) when it starts to get quiet in the evening. Dare to visit at mid-day, that is, if you are prepared to elbow your way around. But it’s great just to do people-watching!

You will notice people from all walks of life, of diverse nationalities, of all physical attributes e.g. the disabled, the seriously obese, the severely emaciated, people practically creeping to their last hour..all these telling you that they would want nothing else but to see Venice before they finally leave this world.

Your trip from 7 – 10 August doesn’t cover a Saturday. Too bad. You will miss the colorful boat race between teams of gondoliers.

Anyway…

At night, it’s a Must that you are in Piazza San Marco for a feast of free concerts offered by the different cafés competing for clientele. If you are a photographer, take your tripod so you can get clear night shots of the orchestra, of the lit-up buildings. When you have enough of it all, walk in and around the back alleys again. Go back to the same campos and bridges that you have visited earlier. The evening air renders them a mysterious perspective, entirely different from daytime viewing.

Go to the Rialto Bridge and its surrounding area. A visit to Venice is not complete without a photo of the Rialto in the background.

We did not attempt to get inside the Basilica di San Marco nor the Ducal Palace nor the Campanille Tower but if you are lucky enough to get entrance tickets, then make sure you go up the roof or the top level for a panoramic view of the city.

Restrooms. The cost of relieving yourself is 1euro. Train station restrooms are cheaper at 70 centimes.

Always have a bottle of water handy. it’s very expensive to keep sitting in cafés and ordering coke or beer.

If you are starving and you are with a friend, it’s acceptable to order a slice of pizza each (from food kiosks) or one small pizza to share together (from restaurants, cafés)

Beware of menus offered by restaurants. A 3-course meal at 25euros would seem to be a lucky find but beware! You will get ripped off over the price of that bottle of mineral water or beer or wine or dessert, giving a final bill double the amount of the original menu!

Have cash always handy. Most Italian establishments are notorious in not declaring their real income to avoid paying huge taxes so they will sneer at your visa cards and will only accept cash!.

Vietato fotografia – watch out for this sign. It means No Photography. Very commonly displayed in shops selling Venetian masks, Murano glassworks

Must-do

- Indulge in people-watching, it’s great!

- go church-hopping

- visit Campo Pescaria and Campo Esparia - Fish and Produce market near the Rialto bridge

- visit Campo Giovanni Paolo..marvel at the entrance door of the Ospededali hospital

- go to the Jewish Quarter -

- Relax in Giardino Papadopoli – if your hotel is far away and you’re aching for a break or a nap, this green park is the place to relax. Sleep in one of the benches, or in the grass, nobody will care!

And don’t forget to treat yourself to a nice bag (for ladies) with the name Venice on it. You can buy it cheap from the souvenir shops selling from 5euros up.

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