I am in awe in Vicenza, even now in the winter when colorful blooms and burgeoning vines have yet to spill over the balcony flower pots. Yes, even when the blustery wind curls around a corner and bites you right in the nose. Why? Because the beauty of the building that the wind just whipped around can steal your breath away. The architectural mix of the city is simply magical. Palladian homes and municipal structures sit side by side Venetian Gothic designs some on the same narrow cobbled streets. And then there is the Olympic Theater... I sat inside it today facing the stage from the highest level of seating and I wept, just wept. SIGH.
But let me pull myself back from being "whelmed" before I float off and into some thought of a magnificent painted ceiling of heaven or "something". Let me get us up to date. I left Verona and came by train to Vicenza on Tuesday afternoon. My host Denis was at the station waiting for me and brought me home to settle in and relax over coffee. Good coffee. Moka brewed coffee. Nice. He offered me his couch for a week or so so that I could see not only Vicenza but also Venice. Venice is a fairly easy train ride from here but not an easy place to find a host. It's better to make the commute.
Wednesday morning Denis treated me to a fantastic guided tour of the old city. He knows so much history and tells the tales with such flare. I only wish that I knew when a story was about to begin so that I could switch over to video and record the lesson. After we stopped for lunch at home and then I was whisked off to the countryside to view more sights including two Palladian villas. This for me was so special because I would never have seen those places without a local host. Hail Chef Denis! Blessed are the COOKSURFERS and guides for they shall inherit a lot of sincere thank you's!
Having that guided tour yesterday morning truly helped me today. I didn't get lost. I walked into town on my own, purchased a museum pass and checked out the open air market. "WHY WHY WHY," I asked myself, "didn't I come with an EMPTY backpack to Italy?" The clothes at the market were fabulous, fashionable and inexpensive. Cashmere, angorra, wraps, sweaters, dresses, scarves, etc. with design and style. I bought a fuzzy WARM hat. In the selection process I dropped my gloves, then my sunglasses, then my glasses, then my gloves again. Each time a different impeccably dressed mature woman touched my arm and said in Italian, "Signora, you dropped your (fill in the blank) ________. The women of Vicenza are gracious, elegant, and attentive and they simply loved my choice of headwear. The hat goes with my new heavy sweater and furry legwarmers. Browsing the markets today I looked as if I should be in a ski resort an not in the city of Vicenza but hey, I am warmer than before and that is good. Cold and I don't agree.
Later in the day today after lunch I visited several museums and the interior of the Teatro Olimpico, the place where I wept. Photos do not do it justice. Photos don't do any of this beauty justice. You must come to Vicenza. You must come and be in 3D. If it is not on your bucket list then put it on and don't wait long to take it out of the bucket.I am a bit tired and am cutting this short and going to sleep. I have been walking a lot (YEY). I need to because Denis is an amazing cook,
And... The Italian word of the day is GUANTO = GLOVE. Perhaps I should get some little clasps and clip them to my sweater sleeves. I would hate to lose them. I need them. And it seems like I will continue to need them. Denis just came out to tell me that this next week is supposed to be the coldest of the entire winter. Laughing he added "You might be here two weeks instead." BRRRRRR
You look great in the new hat!!
ReplyDeleteYes, Vicenza goes on my list. I never knew of it, to be honest!! thanks for hte beautiful intro. xxoo