Ohh Chi Wah Wah

I should have known that when I heard three older Italian men sitting at a park bench outside of our double decker charter bus singing the words "Ohh Chi Wah Wah" (or at least what I thought sounded like that, little did I know it could have very well have been a common Italian song or phrase as I would not exactly call my Italian "fluent" by any means) that my Venezia trip was going to be something else.

The humidity in the heavy night air pressed against Wladimir's face coalescing in the condensation that ran down above the Accademia bridge. The posters covering the construction barrier looked gaudy against the Venecian architecture. The reflection of the lights could be seen against the ripples in the canal created by the raindrops beginning to fall. We ducked under an overhang that sat adjacent to a mask shop and a variety of Venezian memorabilia. My cigarette barely dodged the drip drip drop of the now overflowing waterfall from the clouds.


...sunrise, sunset...


Mother: There is almost no light in these churches
Father: Well it looks like there are not any electrical lights in here
Mother: I guess so, but I think they could have added more windows
Tour Guide: The gothic style was to create a dark interior that established a reverant feeling in the sanctuary
Mother: It makes sense, but it is so different from what I am used to
Mother: Amazing to think that they could make this so long ago, it is so beautiful


Cultural Differences:

-Lack of waiter attention to customers in restaurants
-Small variety of consumables
-Lack of proper street signs
-A city run by water
-Correct Change, Italy likes it very much
-Almost all Italians bilingual
-Tourism is a huge income for Venecians
-Splitting of checks at dinner is hard in Italy
-Air condition considered HUGE luxury
-People appreciate just eating and drinking for long periods of time in social settings in Italy, time not an issue


Venice is a beautiful city of many historic sites and scenes. However, the blistering heat and humidty was not something I thouroughly enjoyed. I think it is a wonderful city to visit for a few days, but do not think I would spend a long weekend there as a twenty-year old. Venice seems like a place I would prefer to visit as an older adult enjoying the wining and dining scene amongst the astonishing buildings. I do appreciate the chance to visit Venice, but think I would have cherished it more at an older age.