Whenever I used to stare wistfully in the distance, muttering something about how I longed to live in Venice, someone would for sure answer “Pfft, it might seem like a great place to live when you’re busy buying Venetian masks and cruising down the Grand Canal on a gondola, but ask a Venetian; I bet they’d tell you that living in Venice is no holiday.”
It came as a wonderful surprise then, when the parents announced the other day, “Aren’t we lucky, living in Venice is like being on a permanent holiday”. So there you have it, I’m living with a Venetian family who love the city. They take their boat out every weekend, gliding through the canals of Venice, and still they sit in awe of their surroundings.
Before leaving for Italy I was anxious, worried that I would be missing out on a summer at home with friends and family. I even made a GoodBye Pavlova on my last night in England, one last slice of home-baked comfort before I left for the land where pasta and pizza rule supreme. (By the way Auntie Pauline, Mum says that she can still remember when you made her her first ever Pav. She’s loved them ever since.)
However, as soon as I walked into my temporary Venetian home, with views of The Grand Canal and monumental Murano glass chandeliers hanging from every ceiling, I knew I’d made the right decision.
My short time in Venice involved eating out at the most delicious restaurants, getting hopelessly lost (obviously) and spending an evening, in a boat, watching the most magnificent firework display I’ve ever witnessed. It was as part of ‘Redentore’, a festival enjoyed by all Venetians. In the afternoon, swarms of boats – large and small- fill the lagoon, heaving with people drinking, eating and generally having a good time. They wait until about eleven o’clock, getting steadily more drunk, until the firework display begins from beyond the silhouette of San Marco’s Basilica. Magical.
After a lovely few days in Venice, we have now escaped the stifling heat of the city and fled to the mountains. It’s glorious here, but more on that another time. Now it’s time to get two bambini ready for dinner after a long day of hikinh in the fresh, clean mountain air.
To The Table 
Can’t wait to see the photos of the mountains! xx
LikeLike
Good morning Alice, I have now decided that I have to take a visit to Venice before I’m to old to climb down into one of the boats and explore the amazing waterways you talk about. (maybe all inclusive would be a handsome gondalier to show me around like we see in the movies !!) Glad Mum remembers the traditional “Aussie” Pavlova. How old are your charges and can you post a photo of them ??. What a wonderful life you are having in these few years and the amazing experences for you . Take care and have fun and keep the up-dates comeing I love them,
Luv Auntie Pauline
LikeLike
You have to visit Venice, it’s just the most amazing city in the world….and their are gondoliers a plenty, so don’t you worry! I’ll email photos of the charges now, they’re very sweet but they can’t understand a word of English and i don’t speak Italian, so communication is a bit of an issue, but we get by…
xxx
LikeLike
I went off to Switzerland at 18 to be an au pair – tough for a while as I didn’t speak the language, but a great way to learn it. Very glad I did it. Sounds like it’s going really well.
LikeLike
Working as an au pair can have be the most cushy, wonderful job one moment and then change to being the most frustrating the next. However, despite the fact I can’t speak Italian and the kids can’t speak English, we get along…somehow! It’s also lovely to be cooked for, even if our diet does mainly consist of cheese, cheese, pasta and more cheese – oh well, I’m not complaining!
LikeLike
Never been to Venice but been in Italy many times and would so love to live there. Recently I was in Bologna, Ahhh! The food the style and the people all fabulous. Have a wonderful time. I’ll look out for your blog.
LikeLike
Italy is just amazing, isn’t it? I have only one week until I go home so im gorging on as much pizza, gelato and cheese as possible before then! Please do look out for my blog, I cant write another post until im home due to a difficult nternet situation, but I’m itching to start writing again!
LikeLike