Last Friday was my first day in Venice and I was so excited to see this city - a fulfillment of so many years of romantic dreams and visions that I had held for as long as I could remember. Sure part of the romantic dream was to be in love in Venice and float down the canals on gondolas, but still this is my sacred, divine adventure and one of the amazing experiences I am having is being in love with myself and where I am at any given moment, so there I go on the water bus from Punto Sabbioni where I was staying, to Venice. What I didn't know is that at the same time as I arrived in Venice to culminate my Italian journey, so did the America's Cup Yacht Event - bringing with it 1000's and 1000's of people. So arriving in Venice - St Marks Square - on Friday morning, equipped with a 72 hour transport pass and all my usual anticipation and excitement at the journey ( especially the water transport part of the journey), and bam into the masses I stepped and was so overwhelmed - it was unbelievable how many people there were. I was able to find the grand canal water bus and hopped on (with about 1000 other tourists) and set off down the grand canal to explore Venice. And its beautiful, and getting off and wondering the streets and allies, crossing the water canals on ancient bridges, the architecture and the amazing art inspired and touched me. But the commercialism and exploiting of the tourist industry with the prices of things, and the attitude didn't impress me - it saddened me. I understand its how they deal with their 20 000 000 visitors a year in Venice and I bless them for that because on a resources level and sustaining the sinking city with so many visitors and their expectations, is not an easy feat - they actually manage very well. Their water bus system is so impressive and most buses come on time, leave on time and one is never stranded or left waiting for too long for transport, even late in the evening (the best time to travel as its quiet). But for me personally my illusion was shattered and I knew I was ready to leave Italy and move on.
Visting Murano and Burano on Saturday was amazing - Murano Island - is the Glassmaker's Paradise and since 1291, this tiny Venetian island has been the home of Venice's glassmaking industry. Glass production was moved to Murano Island from the main part of Venice because its production posed quite a fire hazard. Its very pretty and a little Venice in its architecture, canals and art. I love glass - I am always absolutely amazed at the alchemy of transforming sand with fire into the most beautiful glass that captures light and each piece is so unique and so vulnerable in its make up. Murano Island is glass heaven - there are so many, many shops selling this local crafts from tiny earrings and statues to giant chandeliers and sculptures (and everything in between). 
Burano is known for its small, brightly-painted houses, popular with artists. The colours of the houses follow a specific system originating from the golden age of the island's development; if someone wishes to paint their house, they are required to send a request to the government, who respond by deciding which colours permitted for that street or area. And its such a beautiful island - really small and full of brightly coloured houses, flower boxes, awesome arty shops. Burano rose in importance in the 16th century, when women on the island began making lace with needles, being introduced to such a trade via Venetian-ruled Cyprus. En route to Burano I met a woman Theresea and her daughter Andrea, from Milwaukee USA and it was really wonderful wondering around Burano with them and being able to share the absolute magic and quaintness of the Island.
And that night I went to sleep feeling happy and filled up, reflective of my time in Italy and the wonderful experiences and amazing people I have met and places I have visited. At around 3 in the morning I woke up with the bed I was sleeping in shaking, the windows and doors shaking and rattling and the earth shaking, and it was quite a shock. I listened for people outside or signs that I should evacuate and there were none, and the shaking stopped - and I lay there feeling utterly alone and so far from home - and I knew that something was happening somewhere else - it was such a moment in my life where I realised how vulnerable yet connected to all that I am. Sunday morning I found out that there was a 6.9 earthquake in Bologna - 132 km away from Venice. Its been a shifting experience for me. My last day in Italy I felt like I was not in my body at all - that earthquake had shaken me to my core and I just needed to sit and reflect and prepare for travelling onto a new place - part of me just wanted to go home.
And now I am in Bali - it took me 2 days and a 6 hour time change to get here and I am very slowly landing into my body and getting into a new rhythm of being. I am not sleeping properly as yet as my internal clock is all confused but I have time - as much as I need and each day its feeling better. I am in paradise and know that my blog for the next month will take on different energy and vibe as my experiences here are to be completely different to Italy.
Michelangelo - his genius his wisdom his work
The old history and the stories that live and breathe in the amazing architecture
The warm, authentic people who are so in love with their country and their way of life
The amazing coffee, wine, olive oil and food
The art - so rich and beautiful and centered in a belief system that is rich in history, symbolism
and a connection to the old ways.
And there is so much more - ariverdeci Italy - my heart is expanded and I say farewell as I will return soon ...
Until next time, be blessed, Nameste xx
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