Pre Exchange Experience - Prologue
Pre Exchange Experience - Italy Tourism Day 1
Highlights
This would be my first trip to somewhere outside of Asia. For my entire life I have never left the ASEAN Nations. So when I realize I will be heading to Europe and more specifically Spain in order to experience life there.
I am aware that Europe looks like a magical land, so the following was my expectations when heading to Europe.
Positive
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A lot of old and historical buildings
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Streets filled with histories
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Good food
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A more “relaxed” education culture
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Cold weather!
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Bicycle centric infrastructure
Negatives
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Lots of pickpockets
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Racism
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Very expensive supermarkets
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Things to be expensive
With this in mind, let’s see how the next few months go.
Pre Exchange Experience - Day 1
Morning
Milan
So I took the late night plane from Singapore and landed in Milan at around the morning. The first crisis arose where one of the hotels cancelled on me as I boarded the plane. Thankfully I was able to book a room at Hotel Crivi, a 4 star hotel located a short walk away from the train station.
After I arrived, I took the train from Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa to the hotel. Where afterwards I headed straight to the hotel to deposit my luggage. On my way to the hotel, I witnessed someone getting robbed on the train, a uniquely terrifying proposition that I do not usually see. Afterwards I was a lot more cautious when traversing Milan.
As I am only in Milan for a day or so, I headed straight to Duomo di Milano after leaving my luggage with the hotel. I went in the cathedral and climbed the rooftop, subsequently I went to a few museums nearby. I returned to the hotel before sunset, where I had pizza at a nearby shop.
Highlights
Witnessing a post robbery scene, truly a terrifying introduction to Italy.
The Duomo di Milano, with its beautifully crafted statues reflecting people across history. Also the entire left wall of the Cathedral, under renovation and showing an ad of a lipstick.
Arriving at Venice
Morning
Milan
Due to the student visa delay, the flight has to be delayed leaving a single day for Milan. In the morning I made a quick trip to Castello Sforzesco. I also traversed the beautiful park and came across the Arco della Pace. While most items aren’t open because it is the dead of morning, it looks quite nice and I see people jogging around.
This was something I noticed yesterday but only confirmed today, but wow there are a LOT of water fountains. I was drinking up all the fountains and collecting photos of them like Pokemon. It is a pretty nice change to be able to drink cold water.
There was a statue of Napoleon in the park, since there are no signs I had to google a bit to find out who this guy is. Such a nice looking statue and not even a pin on Google Maps. That is how many statues they have!
Subsequently I went to the train station to make my way to Venice.
Highlights
The Castle, it is one of a kind. In the morning it is really peaceful and the entire courtyard is empty.
The Napoleon statue, sitting around and staring at those majestic details.
Overall while I didn’t spend much time in Milan, it is an interesting exposure to Italy.
Afternoon
Venice
I heard a lot about Venice, both people claiming it is a tourist trap and that it is beautiful. To be honest I am visiting because in the video game Final Fantasy XV there is a location that is inspired by Venice. I recall that Singapore used to teach that the reason for Venice call is due to complacency, but on second thought it seems like Singapore loves bashing those who can’t defend itself to prop themselves up. So I want to see how true this is.
Once I arrive, I think my mind was blown as I saw the Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo across a river.
I got an unlimited boat pass, then I made my way to Hotel Serenissima. I checked out the Plaza and visited Palazzo Ducale. This led me to the courtyard, art as well as the armoury ending with the prison. Subsequently I went to a convenience store and got some toothpaste, and went back to drink some Venetian wine.
Palazzo Ducale
The amount of “ceiling” art was really stunning and I did not realize the type of art I am missing until I arrive. There was a painting showing the Pope meeting the Doge and it reminds me of how do people back then record historical moments. Compared to the functional aesthetics I noticed that the fireplace is nicely decorated, with statues of man appearing to lift it up. No doubt these are important figure engraved in the fireplace.
I arrived at the armoury next and there are a lot of weapons. Usually crossbows and flintlocks, I also saw a lot of interesting combinations like a crossbow with a wheellock gun, or a dual barrel gun, also a sword with a gun. It is interesting to see how people back then are also experimenting with what is now known as “inefficient designs” to reach the modern era. I believe this is something I can take back as well, in contrast to Singapore painting itself as getting it right the first time where the leaders are infallible.
After a single right turn I suddenly find myself in the prison cells, the jarring nature of the transition is surprising and how close they keep their enemies nearby. I thought the palace was beautiful, for the first half a day in Venice this is a great impression.
Day 2 Venice
Morning
Arsenale di Venezia
For today when I woke up I went to the Arsenale di Venezia. While waiting for it to open I explored the coastal area and found another water fountain, there was also the Giardini della Marinaressa as well as some other parks and their infrastructure. Subsequently I went and see the guided tour with the Sommergibile Enrico Dandolo, then to the Museo Storico Navale di Venezia.
Highlight of the morning
Parks and stuff
There is a nice water fountain, I really should get used to it. When walking in the gardens, I noticed when walking around is the lack of cars. No traffic lights the roads are for people and the river are for boats. The peace and quiet makes all the difference. I saw a few interesting art pieces and installations as well.
Enrico Dandolo
Now talking about the Arsenale di Venezia I can see why it is still an active military base. The guided tour was interesting and I learnt a bit about Italy during the cold war. This is the first time I had been in a submarine and the interior is really crammed. It is decorated with period appropriate entertainment as well, it is amazing how people survived like this.
Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
The naval museums has a lot of nice decorations, but my surprise is how blunt they are about their failures. I saw this majestic ship, the Roma, a pretty large scale model and the information panel stated that it was sunk by the Germans without a single combat experience. The top floor features Korean and Chinese ships, which was surprising that how far historical contact went. Clearly I need to brush up on my history.
Afternoon
S. Pietro di Castello
Subsequently I took a boat and drop off at S. Pietro di Castello, a non touristy neighborhood and took in the sights a bit. Then I took another boat and walked around a bit, and found a nice looking building which I visited where it turns out to be the Museo di Storia Naturale Giancarlo Ligabue, before heading for actually good lunch at Bacaro Quebrado.
As it is getting late initially I wanted to visit the Giardini Reali but it isn’t open, so I end up going to Correr Museum, as I only have this day left I entered despite being told that part of the museum is already closed due to the time. Then after admiring all the art and statues I went back to my hotel.
Highlights
I think walking around the neighborhood helps me appreciate that this place is actually rich in history and helps me confirm that Venice is not a tourist trap when even non touristy areas are similar. Also I appreciate the fountain I found.
The most surprising part of the Nature Museum is the dissection. There is an entire corridor of dissected animals which I have never seen before and it is kinda fascinating. I think I was too shocked as I did not remember much about the rest of the exhibits except there is a giant whale at the end.
The Correr Museum confirms more of the same, but beyond all the art I was more appealed by how nice the buildings and pillar look. It is like the entire room is history. I also had fun comparing the different symbols as I walk through each room.
Day 3 Venice & Day 1 Florence
Day 3 Morning
On my last day in this beautiful city I decide to walk around before sunrise. It was surprisingly bright and I was afraid I missed the sunrise, but I was able to catch the sunrise at the Ponte dell’Accademia. While I did not see the sun, the orange warm hues reflecting on the water turns the canal into a picturesque scene worthy of a painting. I finally saw the Ponte di Rialto without the usual tourist crowd and it felt quite normal. Subsequently I wandered down some narrow corridors taking in the atmosphere, both the looks as well as the smell. I also took my final boat ride and came across Building Bridges (2019) by Lorenzo Quinn, it stirs a certain sense of wonder seeing these art pieces that are placed here for people to find. I walked back to my hotel passing by Piazza San Marco, then I had my breakfast. I finally visited the shops at Ponte di Rialto, nothing really interested me but they certainly look nice.
Day 1 Afternoon Florence
As soon as I left my bags at the wonderful Albergo Bencidormi, I went down to walk around a bit and soon found the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Duomo is majestic, at this point I will be more surprised if a cathedral is not majestic. Afterwards, I went for dinner and went back. I then visited the Palazzo Vecchio and was graced upon by the hall of 500. It was a large imposing hall with paintings across the walls, followed by a room full of maps. It looks like an early attempt at a world map that I can only respect.
One thing I immediately missed about Venice is the lack of cars. There is something peaceful about not hearing engines, even the boats are quieter. The entire city has a unique atmosphere, especially in the morning.
Florence Day 2
Morning
Piazzale Michelangelo
Since I caught the sunrise yesterday I decided I shall try to catch the sunrise today as well. The day started fine enough as I see the train station during twilight. I took a wrong turn around here and ended up in some alleyway and ran into a bunch of young adults. I got shoulder checked hard, then they started to call me. I don’t know about you but if I am getting jumped by a group of 6, I am going to assume they are trying to beat the shit out of me, and I still have a vacation to attend. So I end up running, I think they were chasing me for a few seconds, I continued running a few seconds after arriving at the main road. I still have no idea what that is about, I think it might be a pickpocketing attempt but my friends seem to think it is a mugging attempt.
At this point I have two choices, turn back to go to my hotel and potentially run into the same group again, or press on to see the sunrise. Well since life is short and I might not get the chance to return, I press onwards to Piazzale Michelangelo. This time I was able to catch the sunrise with an almost 270 degree view. As I climbed down the vantage point I noticed all the things I missed on my rush up to make it in time, such as the fountain, a tower and a wall. As the place gets crowded I headed back to my room to rest.
Afternoon
Museo Galileo
Subsequently I went to Museo Galileo, I saw a lot of planet models. While I didn’t understand a lot of what I am seeing, I thought it is fascinating that people in the past are able to explore the universe with these creations. I truly can’t think of how I will live without the computer. Though I wonder if Galileo will be able to figure out how a computer works if given one. I definitely remember the top floor though, it is a detailed dissection of the human body and the internal organs. I am unsure why this makes me uncomfortable, but in this discomfort I found the beauty of how the human organ works. It also includes sexual organs which is something that doesn’t exist in Singapore.
Florence Day 3
Morning
Uffizi
To be honest I only went because the building looks sick. I arrived in the morning and entered without much fuss except a mild annoyance I accidentally bought from a third party reseller instead of the official gallery. I think the website called themself the official guide or something which I mistook as the gallery. I gotta say it is not just the art, it is the atmosphere of the building. I feel like I am living in history, as I walk the white black tilted marbled floor with a golden tiled roof.
Another thing not seen in my home country is nudity, I think it helped me see things in a different way. In my home country it is one of those forbidden topics that everyone secretly indulges in, but over here it is being used to celebrate the human form, I think I came to appreciate the details in the body. I wonder where did this appreciation for the human body go in the modern time, or maybe Singapore is just prudish.
One art that stuck with me in particular is Judith Slaying Holofernes, something about the woman’s expression sells the scene of someone on a mission against Holofernes who is struggling in vain.
There was a gallery for Eroticism, I think the expression transcends what I commonly see as commercial pornography. I think it goes back to the ideal of the beauty of a human body. At least having such an abundance and their history proves that humans have always been interested in sex. Even without the mythological factor, they are still interested in sex. At least I believe that this does a good job at showcasing how morality and what is acceptable seems to be quite fluid, it used to be acceptable in ancient sculptures, then now it isn’t. I wonder what is it that causes this change.
Palazzo Pitti
I visited the Palazzo Pitti next, I recall there is a lot of art in the ceiling that I was looking up most of the time. The highlight is the gardens, it is visible in the palace. There is something special at walking through these gardens that were once meant for rich people. The top of the garden provides a beautiful view of Florence.
The most memorable experience is the several of us trying to figure out how does a water dispenser work, where it turns out that they get it to spurt via covering half of the hole with their thumb. I was so used to looking for a button or some contraptions and was completely blindsided by the physics-based solution.
Florence Day 4 - Rome Day 1
Morning
Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze
I decided to visit David Statue at the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. I arrived early in the morning and there was quite a queue. Thanks to arriving early I was able to witness the magnificent statue and its details, they also showcase a few statues that were partially destroyed and lost to the element. What truly stands out is the statue room, a room full of various statues. I was surprised by the variety of statues and how it is used to capture the moment in history, a little bit like today’s photograph. There was also a room about instruments that I thought were neat. Some of these instruments are older than Singapore or more accurately almost everything inside is older than my country. My notable observation is that how many things such as instruments have stayed similar to the modern day version with minute differences, gotta appreciate the saying that if it works no point reinventing it.
I also visited a church but I do not remember much about it.
Afternoon
Rome
I then took the train to Rome and the first thing I noticed when I arrived is cars. In the previous two cities there weren’t that many vehicles. I did not even realize there was no traffic until I saw the cars at Rome. I walked to Hotel Oceania in about 10 minutes. I was a little uncomfortable with the train after the day 1 incident. Things went relatively smoothly, the hotel had a lift which I found out after climbing a few stories with my luggage.
For the rest of the day I came across a nice looking fountain and had 2 gelato, it is pretty damn good. I got some McDonalds and went back to my room.
Rome Day 2
Morning
Pantheon
My experience with Christianity started with Boys Brigade at 13. On top of that Vatican City is one of those unique things that I heard before sparking my interest.
To start the day I visited the Pantheon, it looks like a dome and everything is visible from one spot. I thought the dome is nice, and that the middle has some water. The most fascinating thing is how bright the area is via the design. The Crown of Glory artwork is quite unique, though to be honest I am reminded of the blob enemies from Dark Souls 3.
Afternoon
Vatican City
Now for the highlight which is Vatican City, and oh boy the queue was long. I am glad I got a ticket online before arriving. Upon entering I am met with stairs and a beautiful hall, a diorama of Vatican City and another fountain! I saw a giant sphere in the courtyard. I was a little confused why it is here but I think it might be symbolizing the resurrection of Christ and how he returns after his mortal body is killed.
I took a quick turn and find myself in another room of statues, I felt the Vatican Museum is one of the most extensive. It includes Christian artifacts, world maps and ceiling of arts. Nothing really compares to what I saw here. It took the entire day. Also there are 4 gift shops, just in case you forgot to buy something. Even the exit is majestic with a spiral staircase out. I spent an hour or so just browsing the gifts. I end up buying a polo T.
A final thing is that there is a segment for cultural exchange, imagine my surprise when I see a Samurai Suit just over there. As I left Vatican City and had lunch at around 3pm, I found a truly divine gift. A water fountain for sparkling water, with the sheer amount of free sparkling water I wonder how I am going to survive when I go elsewhere and it is a luxury item. I considered the Basilica but thought there are too many people. As I went back I got some nice pizza and rested for the night.
Rome Day 3
Morning
Colosseum
I am visiting the Colosseum because well it looks damn cool. I entered by 9am and I found the usage of the dead space to be kinda cool, as they showcase the history of the Colosseum. Again it is another case of how do they even think of building this. Now I didn’t get to go down but I thought that the fact it has the basement is like damn cool. Next I went to the Roman Forum, it looks kinda cool but unfortunately I think I did not have the necessary knowledge to appreciate what I was seeing.
There is some interesting tidbits about it as well, I was surprised by the various purposes of the Colosseum after the collapse of the Roman.
The highlight however, has to be the Palatine Hill. While I don’t know enough about Rome to appreciate what I was seeing, I really enjoyed the recreations of how might it look like back then compared to now. Seeing the remnants that survive.
Evening
Villa Borghese
Now the past 2 times I have caught the sunrise, so I thought how about I catch the sunset, which I did at Villa Borghese. There is something magical I think it is the sign of the end of the days. I walked back through the park to my hotel.
Rome Day 4
Morning
Saint Peter’s Basilica
For today, I visited the Basilica early in the morning to avoid the crowd. Overall I thought that the Basilica is filled with history. I saw that it is actually used by priests, and I got some holy water blessed (with a donation). There are a lot of historical figures that I do not know enough to be impressed by.
Afternoon
Vigna di Valle
I decided I am interested in the Aeroporto Militare Luigi Bourlot, so I end up taking the train outside Italy. I am unsure why I was not that concerned about robbers and stuff, maybe because I was not carrying much on me. I went all the way to Vigna di Valle, where I alight and walked to the museum. The first thing I thought as I went down is that damn, Lake Bracciano looks amazing that I would not mind dying here. The peaceful clean lake with no civilization nearby tells me what I have been missing that does not exist in my home nation.
The museum itself is enjoyable, I was surprised by how far back it went, from the early gliding machines to modern jets. What was insightful was all the tidbits of the pilots and the weird vehicles that don’t make it to Wikipedia (or even if it did, I will never stumble upon it).
For the highlight, I took a wrong turn at one of the roads. I think I turn right instead of left, however I ended up lost, and with the poor signal I was unable to make my way back to the train station at Vigna di Valle. I end up seeing a castle and recognize it as the Castello Orsini Odescalchi. Now I could have just turned back, but then I decide to go on an adventure. Now I didn’t know it at the time but the journey is almost 4 kilometers, along a foreign roadside with cars only. The weather also decided to rain on my parade, and I got lost a few times as I walk into one way routes. I actually took a wrong turn and end up at Rinascente, and end up getting McDonalds as well as a new shirt to change into after the rain. If you are wondering why McDonalds, it is the only familiar face around. Now the last few hundred or so meters are tough, or maybe I am just out of shape, but I finally made it to Bracciano. Hey since I am here, might as well visit the Castle…and it is locked. It was a lot of fun though wandering around this random town.
Overall it is not a bad experience, even if I think some questionable decisions were made to get here. Having my life at stake with no safety line is able to inspire something inside me, it may be the dormant spirit of adventure. I end the day by going and buying pizza in my hotel room.
Day 4 Rome
Overview
Rome
Well at this point I think I have already knocked out all the famous big destinations I am interested in, so I spent the day just wandering around Rome. Among the destinations was the Trevi Fountain. I end up visiting the Mercati Di Traiano Museo Dei Fori Imperiali, and in English it is the Trajan Markets. This location was surprisingly quiet and I felt like I was transported back into history. Especially when walking the streets where you physically cannot see and hear the rest of Rome.
I also wandered around a bit and end up at Circus Maximus, I was kinda surprised I missed this considering its proximity to the Colosseum which I literally just went 2 days ago. But it was nice, the VR Store closed so I just sat around and imagine how it was used.
I wandered around and walk through one of those car tunnels, also ate some nice pasta. I bought McDonald’s back to the hotel to call it a night.
Farewell
Morning
Capitoline Museums
This marks the final day of my “vacation”. The final location I decided to visit was the Capitoline Museums, which I did because the timing matches. There was a giant statue, but I was surprised by the stairs leading elsewhere to a similar building.
Evening
How do I feel as I board the plane? Nervous to be honest, so far I have been living as a tourist. Now I am expected to see how my next few months look like, though due to daylight savings it wasn’t dark until I finally arrived. In fact a nice Spanish man helped me to contact the guy in the flat to give me my keys.
Overall I felt a renewed sense of independence with this trip, I have always thought that Europe is for the rich people, and is something that I dream of. Before this, I have never thought that it is possible. I felt…alive, like this trip has exposed to me what I can see.