We made it to Italy! Well, one part of Italy! We flew in the Venice area and we are staying in Padua, twenty minutes outside of Venice. My heart brother Vincenzo is living here currently and it felt like good choice for short week.
Havana had no idea she was going to Italy and on her birthday, I presented her with a copy of the Venice canals. I made a copy of the girls when they were little and them in a gondola. It took her a minute but when she realized her long held wish to "go to Italy and eat pasta", was going to come true, she broke down and cried. I have never seen a reaction like that from Havana. It was priceless. And now, we are in Padua.
Padua is a university down and it's central area, is historic, making it charming. Even the building with some wear have a sense of elegance, having stood for centuries. This is what has stood out most, both here and in Spain; the history that is still present everywhere. The architecture going back centuries is where people lived, shopped, congregated and still too. Oh the stories these stone structures must have. We hear the sweet ringing of church bells throughout the day, informing the mortals of the time of day, as they have for centuries. I would personally never tire of seeing this. I have asked the girls what there experience is. They think "they are cool" and "interesting." They have found the art pretty, a bit unusual and grand. Even when we are just walking to and from places, our eyes are just soaking in everything around us. The USA, being a newer country, has few historical landmarks. To see them everywhere, is extraordinary and memorable. I hope the my two small gems remember these days for the rest of their lives.
Also in Padua, we've seen historic churches and art; eaten the best gelato, had the best pizza(yes, I Anjahni said that) and pizza, ridden the tram (the public transit system is a dream in Europe) to get around, and walked, alot! The girls have enjoyed shopping at unique, local boutiques as well as their more familiar shopping stopping grounds. I found it a bit out of sorts to go into Zara or PullandBear that was housed in centuries old building. It's been extremely hot, so at least those stores have a bit of a/c to provide a few moments of relief.
Here area few glimpses of of the scenes we've seen in Padua.
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| This historic relic, a telephone booth, had the girls stumped! |
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| We had our first taste of macaroons. Delicious. |
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| The Padua market; also housed in a centuries old building. |
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| Boba Tea! |
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