Places, all places have stories to tell and real stories are never easy to tell. That’s why I try to share “dual faces” on Google Maps and I like adding pictures of the places I discover containing “a touch” of shadow and light.
Stories are connected to human beings, economy and (especially nowadays) sustainable environment. As you can imagine I am not an easy person- far from it – somewhat Moonstruck (moon is another subject I love. You can find something here " Block 25 Birkenau" ) but I can easily adapt myself to different situations. The best situations for me are “being somewhere and nowhere” in that part of the day which is not day nor night, possibly between land and water. Take the perfect picture- and subject- for me: Venezia and the Venetian lagoon. Venezia, overcrowded with tourists, yet awesome poetry when you are far away from tourist routes. A story containing all aspects I care about: shadow, light, water and land
In my area I can highlight something more: small local businesses. Those small shops called “botteghe”, the real expression of the culture and economy of the city. There are just a few, real ones left. Here is an example in Venezia
Stamperia Armena at - Palazzo Zenobio
Local businesses can also be related to history, art and environment, let me explain with a couple of examples.
The first. The ruins, which are located on a beautiful and peaceful hill, of Abbazia di Sant’ Eustachio. Today the Abbazia, which was destroyed -because of its position not far from the Piave front - during the First World War, is a museum and has been recently opened as an event centre. The second example is a small activity, a natural oasis and a sanctuary centre for owls and storks. Both the Abbazia and the oasis are related to local history, environment and slow sustainable tourism.
Their common aspect is to be suspended between land and water, between shadow (tragic past) and light (a new beginning). Thus shadow and light become a metaphor and a connection between past and present. I told you, I am not easy at all ? ?
My aim as a Local Guide is to tell unconventional places or to see them from a different perspective. I think, as a local knowing well my area, I have to highlight something which is not included in well known lists and make people discover hidden or partly hidden places and experience a local every day life.
And now fun!! I like taking part in the game, earn points (now I am level ? so I add reviews and pictures of shopping centres, food and so on. I like meet ups and meet new people and taste new food. After each meet up I gain a couple of kilos… Luckily I loose weight quickly, or after attending 4 or 5 meetups and organizing 2 meetups in 2018, it would have been 12 kilos at least!!! Shame on me!
But… honestly… look at the picture. Can you resist??
