Traversing Venetian Waterways
Style, though often associated with clothing, is a very broad, open topic. The definition is left to a variety of interpretations. One may not typically associate modes of transportation with style. However, when modes of transportation are different and have a set purpose, it is noticeable that modes of transportation can represent a style in itself.
In Venice, because it is many islands, the style of transportation is almost completely by water. Upon reaching the outskirts of Venice, we left our coach and headed for the water taxi. Water taxis are one of several styles of transportation. After climbing onto the boat, we went down a small set of stairs to a below deck area where passengers sit for the duration of the ride. There are rows of seats on either side of an isle all with window views of the Grand Canal. This wooden style of transportation parallels what taxis on the road do, take people set destinations by request. When I took a ride in a land taxi, I felt rushed and as though the driver was in a hurry. When we rode on the water taxi, I felt relaxed and I was able to take in my surroundings. What a difference the style of transportation makes.
We also saw many cargo boats used for moving goods into the city. Often these were docked next to tiny on shore cranes that could move pallets from shore to boat easily. There were even barges, large flat boats that can carry entire semi-trucks full of goods down through the Canal. In some instances, according to our guide, it is more cost efficient move the entire truck up the Canal than break the cargo up individually to travel on the much smaller cargo boats.
On our first day in Venice, we were lucky enough to take a ride on two gondolas with two Venetian gondoliers. Gondolas are one of the first things that pop into someone’s mind when they think of Italy. It makes sense then, according to our gondolier, the majority of people who use gondolas are tourists. On our ride I learned, from our gondolier, that this style of transportation was once used primarily by local Venetians. Gondolas were popular in the 1600’s but by the time they reached asymmetrical perfection in the 1800’s, steam boats had been created. This is when they became less popular as an everyday form of transportation. So the purpose of the gondola has shifted to a tourist attraction; many locals opting to walk the maze of bridges and back streets or use water taxis. Gondola racing, however is still popular among Venetians. The way to know if it is gondola for riding or racing is based on the color. If they are black, they are used for riding. If they are any other color, they are used for racing.
Each gondola is slightly different from the others. The gondola I rode in had detailed wood carving toward the front, gold horse statues on the sides and a vase of red flowers on the top. The gondolier was dressed in the traditional black and white striped shirt. The gondola ride is what truly made me feel as though I was immersed in a full Italian experience. Being able to glide down the back water ways, seeing buildings and tiny bridges we would not have seen otherwise, was a perfect distraction from the hustle and bustle of the Grand Canal. Once we started the down the first water way, it became instantly quieter. The buildings were like a shelter from the tourists and we were able to just glide along and listen to our gondolier whistle as he steered.
Whether you are looking for is a leisurely ride on a gondola, with a chance of a kiss on the cheek, or your intent is to travel a further distance, Venice will have an appropriate style of transportation. Venice was a nice escape from the bumpy, cramped style of land vehicles.
-Rachel Davis
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