Bouna Sera! At long last I have sat down in front of the computer in an attempt to articulate my stay in Italy. Let me go down memory lane a little and picture Rome in my mind. Sweet sweet Rome in all of its glory. The statues, the Corinthian pillars, the streets, the history behind what was once the world’s strongest empire were all too much to grasp at one take. I revelled in it every moment from the time I landed. The Vatican City and all that it stands for. A city within a city when it was declared a sovereign state. The Sistine Chapel within the Vatican is a must-see for all who are intrigued by history or the arts. Michelangelo and his works speak for themselves on the ceiling and walls of the chapel. Amazing is not only the paintings displayed, but what they hide within and the subtle flaws in them. Works such as “The Last Judgement” and “The Creation of Adam” were some of the few good images that still stay in my mind. The story behind every character portrayed, every hand motion depicted and every fine stroke of the brush. Although to some it may not be in any way significant, the realisation comes when it strikes you that those drawings were works by a real artist who lived long before our time and is still recognized for his artistry. To think also that Michelangelo, presumably, hated to be known as an artist, spent years on that ceiling. For someone who hates to do something and for him to spend 4 years of his life doing that very thing he hates is indeed astonishing. Michelangelo was more of a sculptor. That was evident in the St. Peter’s Basilica where stands “Pieta”, a statue of Mother Mary with Jesus lying on her lap. The details and intricacy of this statue is beyond doubt a classic work. The peace that sprawls across Mother Mary’s face and the resignation of Jesus on her lap were so beautifully crafted. Moving on, the Vatican Museum where not only Michelangelo’s works were displayed but so was Raphael’s and many other pieces from all across Rome’s territories. There were statues of “Hercules”, “Perseus” and “Loacan” a few to name, all who were once part of Roman mythology. Some statues lost part of their original form but were reconstructed as much as possible.
Then came places such as the Colosseum, the Flavian Amphitheatre that is still standing after years of torment from both natural disasters and man-made. In all of its glory the Colosseum was once an architecture made of white marble and majestic pillars. Now, all that stands is the foundations that were built minus the grandeur and white marble. How many gladiators, animals, criminals and entertainers were killed in that arena is still only an approximation. An epitome of hell that place was where death hit the fortissimo after entertainment worn off. How can I forget the Spanish Steps in the city? In the evening you see a conglomeration of tourists from all across the globe shopping and walking to the highest step to take in Rome’s beauty in the sunset. Throw in a few Bangladeshis hawking imitation goods on road side stands and you have the perfect ensemble. Artists stand ready to sketch anyone willing to pay 20 euro. Trust me when I say, for a Singaporean who is not used to the cold, sitting still to get yourself sketched at low temperatures is definitely not easy, but worthwhile nevertheless. From the top of the stairs you can see Rome divide into two and people sprawled all over the street hustling and shopping. Then we have the Fontane Di Trevi. Throw in a dollar over your shoulder with your back facing the fountain after you make a wish. So many tourists gather here to make their wishes. The bottom of the fountain is an attractive sin for any pirate looking for gold coins and a shiny penny. Rome’s sights were many and those were beautiful in every way. After all, it is a city built to be beautiful and unique in its own right. Now then, let us move on to Florence, the Jewel of Italy.
Florence is a quiet city filled with more students than anyone else. Walk around the town and grasp the quiet city life of the Italians. Try the pastries in the city for they are by far some of the best I have experienced. The crust will crumble at the lightest bite and then oozes out a thick chocolate filling. We did not do much sight-seeing in Florence but instead took our time in walking out and about town and finding good eateries and restaurants. Where else can you get good pasta and pizza but in Italy? Be careful of what you ask for though, order the wrong dish and you will regret that day. Be conservative and play it safe and you should love the food. Oh yes, and for anyone in Italy for the first time, try their Tiramisu. I had to abnegate the sins I’d have made again and again due to the price tag on the trip itself. The tiramisu is soft and creamy. Not something we can find much in Singapore definitely. We made a trip to places such as Fiesole which is a town set in the hills. Driving up and setting our foot on ground we were greeted with a beautiful view of Florence from high ground. All that we envisioned before the trip, the peace and tranquillity of the town were embodied in Florence. However, Florence is not all a quiet town. There are clubs around but be informed that some clubs are only for students and no one else. From Florence we went to Sienna, a countryside region with vast open lands and beautiful wineries. One of Italy’s very own wine is called Chianti, found in some bars or pubs in Singapore as well. Sienna was quiet and hence half a day was more than enough to relish in it. We hit into a castle that is now turned into a small city and a tourist attraction. Apparently built in the 18th century, this castle still stands tall and majestic with many towers. Picture a king and his subjects living within the castle. Servants, maids, soldiers all bustling about their daily chores and there you have a magnificent vision of the castle with its original occupants.
From Florence, we took a drive into Pisa. How can one miss the leaning tower when in Italy? And my gosh that fella was really leaning! It was hilarious to see tourists, like ourselves taking pictures of the tower with someone posing as though he or she is pushing against the lean. I learned that the tower had an architectural flaw right from the start. The foundations given were only 3 meters deep and to make matters worse it was built on ground that did not have a strong resistance to water. Over time authorities had made various attempts to stop the tower from leaning further. We got a ticket and proceeded inside the tower. The stairs were spiralling and narrow, a word of caution to claustrophobic individuals. The marble stairs did not help one bit for it was slippery as well. A person’s sense of balance and his orientation will be thrown off once inside the tower because it is leaning. After the climb up, we had a bird’s eye view of Pisa. There is something about beige or pastel coloured buildings without neon lights or company logos. Not a skyscraper in view. Get yourself treated to the red roofs meeting the distant horizon. There gave also, mountains in the distance making a perfect backdrop for a picturesque moment.
Next stop, Milan! The shopping capital of Italy boasts brands such as Roccobarocco, Freddy, Guess and many more. Here you will find the finest leather bags and boots that sometimes we in Singapore are cheated of. The designs are unique and exquisite. One envious fact about the Italians are their dressing sense. Even the beggar on the street throws a coat over during working hours. Shopping was a breeze in Milan for you can find the cheapest imitations to the most expensive of designer goods. It is a city that has a bustling night life and enticing shopping avenues. For anyone who loves the city life, Milan is a place you will love. Another attraction in Milan would be at Doumo where stands a church of magnificent and intricate architecture. It stands like a sore thumb in the city but is majestic in every right. The towers are adorned with statues; every wall had detailed designs and at the centre of the towers stands a golden statue. The building was by far the most amazing I had seen in Italy. I would however, not give brownie points for the service in Milan. Perhaps they are pampered with so many businessmen and tourists that waiters and baristas do not see a reason to smile or be amicable. Drivers too, are a devil’s incarnation. When the light turns green, take off immediately. A split second of hesitation and there goes thunderous honks behind you. There you will find coloured people hawking imitation goods on the streets. When a policeman walks by they simply bundle up the goods in a white cloth and drop it into the nearest rubbish bin for retrieval later. Another point about Milan is that for every ten minutes of walking about, you will probably hear another ambulance screeching past. The roads are so dangerous that people die like flies in Italy. Milan was no exception. Apart from all that, take a trip to Milan and go by foot, you will love the shopping and the rich lifestyle.
Finally then, we end up in Venice, my favourite part of the trip. Ever since I was a little boy I always wanted to go to Rome and Venice. Everything I ever imagined the places to be, they gave me more and made me wanting further. Venice was colder than the other cities. One reason for it being closer to waters than the other cities of course. The hotel we stayed in gave a splendid view of the waterways. Every morning I open my window to be greeted by the salty scent of the waters and the river that flows below. Beautiful is not even a word that can do justice to that life. There is no driving in Venice, either you walk, cycle or you take a boat. The gondolas are just like in the movies, except I did not get on it, considering that we wanted to cover Venice by foot. After the busy eight days we had, Venice was a cooling off period for us. We went hunting for the Venetian masks. I assure you this that when you step into any shop, you will be in a dilemma as to which mask to purchase. Everything is so unique and gorgeous that making up one’s mind can be an arduous challenge. The city is known for its waterways and theatre. Not forgetting also that there is an abundance of casinos on the island. One of the casinos displayed a nice Aston Martin at its gates, reflecting the fact the movie, Casino Royale was partly shot in Venice. It is a joy to walk about at night. A friend and I were walking about exploring Venice at night trying to make the best of the last few days of our holidays. The cold left me numb from my fingers and was slowly but surely relieving me of any feelings in my nose. To top all that off, it rained a short while too. But that did not deter us from our exploration. We walked to every other part of Venice that we could. There were bars and pubs open till wee in the morning with people still happily chatting away. Drunk white men were talking loudly in a foreign language gamely quaffing beer and alcoholic beverages. Wine tastes like nectar in a place that cold. Coffee tasted like heaven too, considering that cappuccino did not have froth but instead creamy foam. People in Venice were friendly, a total contrary to people in Milan. In Venice, careful where you step because here and there lies a brown token from the behind of dogs. You can see people walking their dogs everywhere in Venice. Old and young alike it seemed that walking their dogs is one of their favourite pastimes.
Done and over was Venice, I hadn’t had enough yet. It was almost as though I was woken up rudely in the midst of a pleasant dream. The ten days in Italy has been shrunken into a summary here. Any longer the post I fear boredom will set in. But in no ways can words express the experience. I only hope you will take an opportunity to experience it for yourself. Along the way back to Dubai where we had a transit I was again greeted by the Swiss Alps from my window. The soft bed of snow covered the mountains enticing me to leap out of the plane and onto the sweet fluffy bed of ice. I will go back to Italy again. This time, better prepared. Until then, I shall plan for Paris, the city of romance. For now I thank Kalai, my manager and cousin for this golden opportunity.
“Gratitude is the Heart’s Memory”
Arrivederci!
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