In cities where tourism fuels the economy, “tourist traps” sprout up left and right and distract from the actual monuments you intended to visit.
Shops and stands selling identical merchandise such as T-shirts, post cards, snow globes, and shot glasses clutter beautiful pathways.
After spending over two weeks in Venice and having gotten settled in my apartment, I have grown an enormous resentment of the tourists swarming the city. They crowd the main streets and stop in narrow places to take repetitive photos. As a student studying abroad, I can safely say I’m not a tourist, but I also can’t say that I’m a resident.
I occupy a unique middle ground. I hang in a delicate balance between an obnoxious American and a conscientious local. When I walk into a café, I wish I could present some sort of disclaimer. (It’s OK. I’m not a tourist, I’m spending quality time in your city discovering its true beauty.)
But I can’t. I can’t even speak Italian. So I order my distinctly American drink, ask for the price in English and say “Gratzie” in my crappy accent.
As a side note, they don’t have cups of coffee here and have no concept of to-go. You drink espresso shots or cappuccinos at the counter in ceramic cups and go. When I order a café latte, I might as well be waving an American flag singing John Mellencamp.
I have developed some habits to help me blend in with the residential population. For one, I know my way around now. I no longer have to stumble down the main streets, flapping my map around while searching for street signs. I can confidently navigate through the back alleys, avoiding the majority of the tourist traffic.
I also now have access to the local public transportation
system, the Vaporettos.
Venice is a city without roads, it is cross-hatched by
hundreds of canals. In Venice you get from point A to point B by foot or by
boat. The vaporetto system is a network of bus boats that navigate through the
main canals, stopping at designated docks.
Our program director arranged for us to obtain passes, typically exclusive for residents, that allow us unlimited rides for the entire duration of our stay here. When I’m weighed down with my backpack or groceries, I can hop on one of these handy boats and commute across the island with ease.
Aside from mastering your transportation, the other key thing to discovering the true beauty of a tourist town is befriending a native. Meet someone who can give you all the secrets not featured in every tourist guide.
We are lucky enough in this program that the School of Fine Arts arranged for us to work with the Scuola Internazionale Di Grafica, a design school nestled in the heart of Venice. Students from all around the globe come together to study graphic design, printmaking and bookmaking.
While we work away in our print shop, Italian students are in the room next door studying commercial graphic design. Working in this environment allows us to get the advice and wisdom of bilingual local professors and students in a comfortable setting. Through this networking, I have been tipped off to the most affordable and delicious cafés and pizzarias off the beaten path.
During your abroad experience, try to differentiate yourself from the average American tourist. Get off the main roads and try to find the hidden wonders of your area. Who knows what you will discover and who you will meet. After all, it’s supposed to be an adventure!
