30 May 2013
Mantova, Italia
Yesterday, we pedaled all over Mantua: the lumpy, bumpy cobble stoned streets, the narrow alleys, the piazzas and the waterfront path. As major cities go, it really is tiny.
The waterfront area--where there are parks and bicycle lanes--is on the Mincio River. Many centuries ago when the castle and the palazzos were young, the river was dammed to create a lake to surround and protect Mantua from invaders.
Touring Mantua on bicycles is a perfect thing to do. It is also the main transportation in town. Everyone seems to have a bicycle. They have baskets on the front and saddle bags on the sides and a tiny child seat with a tiny seat belt. There are women, eighty years old in skirts on bicycles. And chic young women, too. Teenagers fly by like greased lightening. The bicycles are like their cars. Some are upscale, shiny, smartly outfitted. Some are just utilitarian. Sometimes, when parked, the bikes are locked, but mostly they are not.
In the afternoon, though, the townspeople walk. They call it the passeggiata. I have heard about it. I knew about the concept. We have been in a lot of Italy's villages and cities and I have never really felt it. Here it is impossible to miss. And difficult to not get swept up in. It is the thing to do.
The streets are full of people in pairs and people alone. Older couples with canes holding hands. Pairs of women, arm in arm. Young lovers pressed close together. Groups of boisterous teens bouncing along. They are not at the movies. Not watching television. Not texting. Just walking in the fresh air with each other. Old fashioned.
30 May 2013
Marlow and Wes
Mantova, Italia
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
Yesterday, we pedaled all over Mantua: the lumpy, bumpy cobble stoned streets, the narrow alleys, the piazzas and the waterfront path. As major cities go, it really is tiny.
The waterfront area--where there are parks and bicycle lanes--is on the Mincio River. Many centuries ago when the castle and the palazzos were young, the river was dammed to create a lake to surround and protect Mantua from invaders.
Touring Mantua on bicycles is a perfect thing to do. It is also the main transportation in town. Everyone seems to have a bicycle. They have baskets on the front and saddle bags on the sides and a tiny child seat with a tiny seat belt. There are women, eighty years old in skirts on bicycles. And chic young women, too. Teenagers fly by like greased lightening. The bicycles are like their cars. Some are upscale, shiny, smartly outfitted. Some are just utilitarian. Sometimes, when parked, the bikes are locked, but mostly they are not.
In the afternoon, though, the townspeople walk. They call it the passeggiata. I have heard about it. I knew about the concept. We have been in a lot of Italy's villages and cities and I have never really felt it. Here it is impossible to miss. And difficult to not get swept up in. It is the thing to do.
The streets are full of people in pairs and people alone. Older couples with canes holding hands. Pairs of women, arm in arm. Young lovers pressed close together. Groups of boisterous teens bouncing along. They are not at the movies. Not watching television. Not texting. Just walking in the fresh air with each other. Old fashioned.
30 May 2013
Marlow and Wes
Mantova, Italia
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
No comments:
Post a Comment