Now, the Gondola as we all know is an expensive but the defining icon of Venice which meant I needed to get on one, but the fact that I'm such a cheapskate didn't help the cause - but the Traghetto is the answer to that. The ride lasts only 1 minute but costs a measly €0.60 standard (my second ride elsewhere was only €0.50).
It is amusing to see the "commuter rush" even in Venice, with two gondolas shuttling back and forth at some points during the morning, but the service reduced to a single gondola shuttle during the day. The Traghetto are manned by two gondeliers, wearing the same black and white striped uniform identical to that of the standard hire gondolas.
As I was wandering through Venice hours after arrival, I was on the constant lookout for Traghetto crossing points, and the first one that I came across was the very Traghetto S.Sofia which was used as a location in both ARIA the manga and anime. A very lucky encounter indeed!
Unfortunately, the number of passengers was sparse at 3pm meaning I didn't get the chance to stand but it does happen during crowded trips! Enough text boredom - bring in the pictures!
The approach to the South end of the Traghetto.
Looking away from the Grand Canal.
A view across the canal, facing North.
The scene on the Grand Canal as I do the one minute crossing.
A very lucky capture from a Vaporetto 2 days later of a Gondola pulling out, much like ARIA.
The Northern side of the Traghetto.
This picture of mine during the morning rush was not taken at S.Sofia but it is self-explanatory. The Grand Canal really is far narrower than ARIA depicts it to be. I guess the widescreen doesn't help either!
Although the Santa Sofia market was closed when I passed through for my Traghetto ride, it was in full swing 2 days later when I passed by early morning on a Vaporetto. The market is slightly out of the way of the tourist routes and I'm therefore under the impression that it would give a more "local" experience of Venice.
This is where I have to go against ARIA. In episode 9 of the Origination, Alice described the Rialto market area as the second center of activity, aside from San Marco and has a more "local" feel. My experience of Rialto is it being packed with tourists and therefore I would recommend the fresh food market of S.Sofia instead.
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5 comments:
Great post is great, as always, thus I can't say more now. It's interesting, and it's another experience what I look forward to, when I visit Venice... some time or other.
Oh, how I regret that, when I was in Venice, I was like the other lemmings... thought I was only 11 years old. But, still, I remember when I heard the voice of the real Venice, when I saw the real Venice at the end of the day. It's carved to my memory... I never forget that.
I LOVE that shot of Hahi though...it captures her essence perfectly ^^
I took my Traghetto at S.Sofia as well, in exactly the same direction. My only ride cost only €0.50. It went so fast, we arrived at the stinky fish market within two minutes. gaaaah T_T Where are Atora, Ayumi...
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