TripLekLek, the world as seen by a thai girl

admin May 30th, 2007

The summer this year in Italy is very hot, Luca’s papa; told me and he asked me to go back to Italy again.
It’s very different from when I was in Italy on April in last year.
The weather was very cold for me, as everyday it was 15-16 degrees.
I remember when I stay in Luca’s house for almost one week.
One day Luca said to me “Why don’t we go to Venice today”
Even if I feel very cold and don’t want to go out.
But when I heard “Go to Venice” I was thinking “Wow… go to see Venice, the most romantic city in the world”.
My image if Venice is from one movie I saw it when I was young.
It’s showing that man who wants to be romantic and surprise a lady he loves, so he takes her to the boat with a man singing a very romantic opera song while rowing the boat along the canal with a shadow of moon light to the sea.
The building around the canal look old but beautiful full of a beautiful flowers in the balcony and look like nobody is around there .
Then the man asked the lady to marry with him.
Yes, the movie make me feel how happiness happen with the lady in the movie and maybe happen in real with many couple.
For me I think maybe it’s not just only the happiness of her love asking her to marry.
But it’s also because of the wonderful place she is in that moment.

I wish and dream maybe it’s might possible if I will have chance to see Venice in real even if alone one day.
(Before I had the idea to apply for a job with a cruise boat around the world and they give a good salary too. But because of my family was worried and I have to pay the agency for the ticket, I drop my dream and decided to just work to save money first and I always said soon but it’s never soon, till I met Luca).
Now I come here with Luca and it’ better than in my dreams.

Luca drove the car and we park beside the road on the way and get the bus to Venice.
Luca told me he can’t drive car to Venice because parking is very expensive.
We get on the bus and I feel somebody looking at me, not because I look strange but because how I dress.
Since it’s so cold for me so Papa gave Mama’s winter coat, but It it’s for the snow, that’s why people look at me.

The bus crosses the bridge and I see Venice on the opposite side. It looks like a island on the sea.
We get off the bus and start walking..
It’s crowded, school boy and girls wearing a fantasy hat, many tourists and lovers but I am really happy because I saw a Thai mother and her daughter too.
(I am happy because I heard her speak Thai language with her daughter and I feel not alone as here there are Thai people too, because it very rear to find Italian people in Luca’s town speak English language so sometime I feel alone, but not much).

In Venice there are many shops selling different things and many restaurants but expensive for me compare in Thai Bath so I keep my stomach to eat when we go back home with Papa’.
But I love ice cream very much in Italy so I never forget to buy one scoop and enjoy it while walking , taking some photos and see the shops.
I am looking for something to remember here so I pass several shops then I buy 2 key holders, not expensive within my budget.

There are many churches in Venice but it’s not just the building but also the spirit of faith which makes them look strong.

In the church many people stay inside with a quiet not like outside with many noisy people talking and laughing happily.

The houses and palaces are old and have their style but seeing the reflection in the water makes them move and be alive.

Some people choose to hide from the crowd and sunshine so they stay in the gondola in the small canals, where the buildings on both sides give shadow. They enjoy the beautiful view and listen to love songs.

For me Venice that day is a fantastic place and more beautiful that I was thinking.
It’s like magic and you are walking and crossing many bridges and if you are tired Venice gives you more energy.
Whatever you are looking at, you will loose yourself in it.
This is Venice for me: a city of romance with feelings of love and songs.

Sawasdee Kha

Lek

• My Travels , Italy