Sunday, May 29, 2011

Day 3

I'm going to try and keep publishing at the end of each day, just so I can remember how amazing this experience was years from now. I also swore to myself that I wouldn't turn this blog into a diary of sorts, but this trip is an exception, considering it's for art. So here you go.



We woke up late today...really late. It was 11:30 before we finally got out of bed. But, within an hour, Emily, Lilly, and I were ready for the beach. Lilly is the new friend we made, that attends the U of U, and is also on the study abroad trip. We got on the vaporetto on the grand canal, got off on the wrong stop, got back on the vaporetto, then got off on our correct stop: Lido Island. It wasn't even 5 minutes from the stop that we found a bike rental shop, and within another 3 minutes we had ourselves 3 beach cruisers. We rode around for at least 45 minutes, almost purposefully misguiding ourselves even though we had a map directing us right to the "best beach on lido." As we rode around, I just kept repeating, "this is so amazing (beautiful, incredible, add any adjective of the sort in there)." I probably annoyed them both but I could not help myself. I could live like that every day. If I could move to Italy, I probably would. When I get back to Utah (and have recooperated enough funds), I am buying myself a bicycle.

At the beach we layed in the beautiful sun, swam in the mediterranean sea, and talked for a few hours. We got a later start than we had hoped for so we didn't spend a whole lot of time lounging around, but it was enough. I did some sketches and took some pictures. It truly was "Le dolce vita." The sweet life. We are definetly going back this weekend when we have another free day. Emily and I agreed we would much rather spend 20-25 euro on a beach day than over 100 going to Rome (which would require a 14 hour round-trip train ride--no thanks). We are probably going to Florence on the last weekend though. There's plenty to see in Venice as it is.

Returning back to the apartment we decided to cook dinner together (everyone else was out and about doing their own thing). We made pasta and a really tasty garlic sauce, and some roasted veggies. We drank some wine in there too. Suddenly our floor was the happening place, everyone was in our tiny kitchen talking and eating. It was fun. After dinner and cleanup, we sat in the living room and I drew Emily. My drawing turned out okay except for her head I think. I'm not good at faces :( Eve drew me at the same time and that came out pretty good.

I swear it's basically impossible not to want to create art while you are here. It is something in the air. I had no desire back in Utah to do anything after school was out. Now I want to draw every day, and I'm considering (and probably will end up) buying some conte crayons or pastels from an art shop around here. Maybe even some watercolor to get some good color images from this trip. I am going to go look tomorrow.

This trip has been worth every dime. I have been saving for years and I would do it all over agin. It has been the trip of a lifetime and it's just the beginning. I just hope at the end of this I can bring something back to my own work. Nicole, you would be kicking yourself in the face right now if you knew how much you were missing out on!!! Love you friend :)


Until tomorrow...

1 comment:

Nicole Woodruff said...

I'm glad you are posting so I can see what you're up to. I am jealous and kicking myself, don't worry about that. Soak up enough art for the both of us, twin.