This year, JAGS Italian students from Y12/13 were lucky enough to take part in an exchange to Venice during October half-term. A completely new experience for most of us, nerves were high as we left the airport dragging our suitcases behind us (wheeled suitcases, note: a great deal of walking takes place in a city without cars). Having met our exchanges, we spent our first night at home with their families, getting to know them and the parts of the city we were staying in. For a handful of us, home was the Lido, an island a short boat-ride from Venice, whilst others were staying in the city centre itself.

By the morning of the next day it became apparent that most of us were already besotted with the city: we were all delirious at the boats, food and beautiful architecture that less than twenty four hours had shown us. Our first trip was to the Palazzo Ducale, the famous and renowned palace of the Doge of Venice. Boasting wonderful Renaissance and Gothic décor, we tried to absorb as many of the paintings and panelled ceilings as we could, whilst avoiding the pigeons in Piazza San Marco. Considerable walking later and we found ourselves in the Venetian Peggy Guggenheim museum, where we were further impressed by the vast range of modern art that it held. In particular, a painting called the ‘Empire of Light’ by Renè Magritte captured my attention, and we all left the museum feeling happy and very well-cultured. Because Italian students finish school at one o’clock, we returned to their school- Liceo Scientifico San Benedetti, right in the heart of the old city centre, and spent the afternoon with our exchanges. I can’t speak for everybody, but my afternoon was spent eating pizza and ice cream, avoiding puddles – the city was in ‘acqua alta’ mode (‘high water’) – and marvelling at the beauty of a city I just couldn’t bear the thought of leaving.

Our entire week was spent in much the same, enjoyable, fashion: among some of the most memorable trips for me, without a doubt, was the view of the Gran Canale from the Academia Bridge, as well as a visit to the gallery itself where we had an amazing insight into the lives and works of Venetian painters Tiziano and Veronese. My favourite- and perhaps most clichéd- of experiences, however, was without a doubt my ride with several other English students on a gondola down the Grand Canal. The Gondolier sang old Italian songs to us, he wore a hat with a ribbon on it, and had a stripy shirt on: it was, basically, a movie scene. Our trip to Venice was one I can safely say I will never forget- there is, I am certain, no other place like it in the world. It is worth remembering, however, the tragedy that permeates the city: everywhere you go, the water levels are rising. The beautiful tiled entrance to the central square’s Basilica is completely submerged, and to make their way into the body of the building tourists have to walk on duckboards raised above the flooding. The city, undeniably, is sinking: and whilst we spent an interesting few hours learning about the governments plan to erect flexible barricades, stemming the tide and thus allowing less water to surround the islands, it is important that we appreciate this incredible city whilst it is still around. The mask that I bought as a souvenir isn’t proving enough: I am determined to go back again as soon as I can! I, and my fellow students, would urge anyone to visit it- you definitely won’t be disappointed.

Alice Parker, Y13
October 2010

Please click here for more photos in the Gallery