When I had been sent to Germany on business I was very excited. Having a schengen visa enabled me to travel across Europe and one of the places I really wanted to visit was Venice, Italy.
There is a history behind it. When I was in class 6, I had read this book called "Phantom of Venice" from the Nancy Drew series. That was my first introduction to this magical city of the lovely backwaters and Gondolas.
I knew I just HAD to visit this place at least once in my lifetime. Naturally I was super thrilled when my colleagues and I decided to visit Venice one weeekend. It wasnt really a complete weekend. The plan was to just go there for a day (which was by the way quite sufficient). We took a night bus and landed in Venice in the morning. The entire city was in water! As soon as we landed we took a speed boat to the centre of the city. From there we wandered around to various places of interest. My colleague was into Christianity in a big way (though she was born Hindu and hadnt converted) and was super excited to see a church and explore it. This other guy I dont recall what he was up to. As for me, my main aim was to ride the Gondola.
There were a number of Gondolas waiting to ferry tourists. They were just ordinary rowing boats ornately decorated in gold and red with the gondolier dressed in white black and red.
I went up to one Gondolier and asked him how much for a ride. He said 100 Euros. My colleagues were shocked and told me outright they woundnt shell out that kind of money for just a silly ride. Gondola be damned. I begged and pleaded with them. It would be 100 split 3 ways. 33 Euros was ok - this was once in a lifetime! They wouldnt budge. I was in tears.. seriously.
I asked them to go back to their church and whatever place they wanted to and went back to the Gondolier. I told him I was going to come alone and to name his price.
He said "For you, 60 Euros". Fine, I took it. He took me all over the city. He showed me centuries old buildings and pointed out to some famous people's ancient houses. He even sang a song in between. I was pretty conscious being all alone in a Gondola. All around I saw couples . One middle aged gentleman must have been so fascinated either by my nativity or the fact that I was alone on a Gondola, he videotaped me!
Whatever said, I had so much fun that day!! I had finally lived my dream!!!
There is a history behind it. When I was in class 6, I had read this book called "Phantom of Venice" from the Nancy Drew series. That was my first introduction to this magical city of the lovely backwaters and Gondolas.
I knew I just HAD to visit this place at least once in my lifetime. Naturally I was super thrilled when my colleagues and I decided to visit Venice one weeekend. It wasnt really a complete weekend. The plan was to just go there for a day (which was by the way quite sufficient). We took a night bus and landed in Venice in the morning. The entire city was in water! As soon as we landed we took a speed boat to the centre of the city. From there we wandered around to various places of interest. My colleague was into Christianity in a big way (though she was born Hindu and hadnt converted) and was super excited to see a church and explore it. This other guy I dont recall what he was up to. As for me, my main aim was to ride the Gondola.
There were a number of Gondolas waiting to ferry tourists. They were just ordinary rowing boats ornately decorated in gold and red with the gondolier dressed in white black and red.
I went up to one Gondolier and asked him how much for a ride. He said 100 Euros. My colleagues were shocked and told me outright they woundnt shell out that kind of money for just a silly ride. Gondola be damned. I begged and pleaded with them. It would be 100 split 3 ways. 33 Euros was ok - this was once in a lifetime! They wouldnt budge. I was in tears.. seriously.
I asked them to go back to their church and whatever place they wanted to and went back to the Gondolier. I told him I was going to come alone and to name his price.
He said "For you, 60 Euros". Fine, I took it. He took me all over the city. He showed me centuries old buildings and pointed out to some famous people's ancient houses. He even sang a song in between. I was pretty conscious being all alone in a Gondola. All around I saw couples . One middle aged gentleman must have been so fascinated either by my nativity or the fact that I was alone on a Gondola, he videotaped me!
Whatever said, I had so much fun that day!! I had finally lived my dream!!!
