Therein lies the challenge for the visitor to places like Venice where the reasons that make them such desirable locations to travel to, end up with the dilemma that mass tourism creates. Authenticity disappears amongst the gaggle of tourists as they follow the tour leader's umbrella or teddy bear on a stick! And of course don't forget the tourist tat ...souvenirs of gondolas...opera masks. ..and endless tshirts (made in China) which confront you at very corner.
However. ..there IS a real Venice, a community though not immediately obvious if you remain in the well known hot spots, of locals who live and work here and love this place. We have had several precious experiences in the last few days through Rosa's contacts where some of Venice's secrets have been revealed.
On Wednesday evening our group had dinner at the home of Umberto and Martha a lovely young couple who shared their home and family with us. We had an 'Eatwith' dinner, an initiative where you take part in a meal with people you meet in their homes. So along the canal we traveled out of the centre right to the end of the main island to the suburb of Giardini....where 'normal' Venetians live. To greet us were Umberto and Martha along with parents Elizabeth and Thomas, plus friends one a German anthropologist studying in Venice plus a young lass from Berlin. Umberto was so excited we were there and out came the most amazing food and wine. It was a fabulous night and stuffed to the gills with their wonderful food and hospitality we eventually made our way back on one of the local water buses way past midnight.
There is a real Venice. ..you just have to seek it out.
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