Venice Realized

My trip to Venice was more than I ever imagined it could be. The best part being the fact that I wasn’t just on a vacation I was on an experience filled with more than I could have hoped for. The entire week taught me to look at not only what’s placed directly in front of me but also remember everything that was surrounding it and its creation. I hope to put this into practice here at home as well in order to better understand any environment I may be in.

                The first example of this was demonstrated in my first formal assignment detailing what I believed Venice would be like. After reading de Botton’s book I was reminded that when I travel it may not end up being exactly like what I read about in guidebooks or on travel websites. I was forced to think past the list of sights we would be seeing and remember the lines, crowds, and jet lag that would accompany my journey. Since I traveled with this idea in mind I wasn’t completely disappointed when I encountered these annoying disturbances and I was able to step back and experience Venice as more than just a tourist.

                On our very first day we all took a detail around the Piazza San Marco and researched the history and significance surrounding it and created presentations from the information we collected. This assignment was my very first time in Venice practicing the idea of looking beyond the frame. It was interesting to examine an object that to most is just seen as another sight and understand it has more value than that. It helped remind us all that even though Venice is a huge place, even the smallest details have an important significance to the city and its people and that we should keep these in mind in order to fully experience the city.

                Throughout the week we saw several famous paintings and analyzed the different aspects that identified them as either medieval, renaissance, or modern art. During these tours we had to think about what went on beyond the frame as we discussed the motivations and influences the artists could have been facing when they painted them. In this sense we gained more than the average observer because we viewed the paintings as a window into our history instead of just a bunch of colors on the wall. These types of discussion also carried into our lectures as we also examined changes present in architecture, science, and religion. We also carried these ideas with us as we traveled throughout the city. Due to this we were able to experience Venice as an example of this transition giving more to our experience overall.

                Overall I was grateful for all the experiences this trip allowed me to have. It got me out of my comfort zone by challenging me to focus on something other than a math or science class. I did face difficulties throughout the week but with persistence I was able to overcome them and looking back I feel like I have grown as a student because of this trip.

                One thing I didn’t anticipate was how a limited use of my cell phone would affect me. Even though it threw me at first it was an interesting experience to spend a week without constant cell coverage. It helped remind me why I was really there and to focus on the moment. Having access to my phone the entire time would have distracted me from everything we were seeing. Without it I was able to fully experience all that Venice had to offer. By looking beyond my ordinary attachment to it, I was able to see how it would have been unnecessary and unhelpful on my trip.

                It was also very interesting to experience a new city as a student. Normally when I travel I travel as a tourist and due to this I miss out on many of the little details my destination has to offer. Even though my day consisted of classes instead of non-stop vacation I felt like I had plenty of time in the city. The way our week was laid out allowed me to experience all the sights I hoped too as well as a few others I may not have considered if I were on my own. Fully opening my eyes and looking beyond what is right in front of me allowed me to take advantage of everything Venice had to offer and made my trip all the more memorable.