• About

2wheels2travel

~ Self propelled journeys with reflection

2wheels2travel

Tag Archives: new civilization

Venice and Memories

06 Wednesday Jun 2012

Posted by 2wheels2travel in Italy 2012

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

new civilization

Extra Days

Being a bike rider on a Bicycle Adventure Club tour is a bit like doing the “20-minute Louvre” in Paris – you’ve been there, and seen lots of stuff – but, no time for exploration and reflection.  (This is not a criticism – merely recognition that many bike people are not interested in a leisurely tour of the museums and cathedrals of every city visited.  Indeed, one could spend the summer in the northwest of Italy and still feel that the visit had been far too cursory.)

Painting of Grand Canal

A View of The Grand Canal

In an effort to spend some time in Venice, we elected to add 2 extra days: a bit of wandering near our hotel (Atlanta Augustus) on the island of Lido, a visit of the island of Murano (home to the glass artisans of Venice), a walking tour of Venice (history in the context of architecture), and a boat tour of Venice (architecture in the context of history).

8 Centuries of Practice

The artistry of the current generation of glass blowers is still extraordinary.  Liquid sculpture that exploits inherent transparency and translucent flows of light.  Marvelous inventiveness beyond what any machine can produce.  The intersection of true visual creativity and consummate technical skill.

These skills have been protected since the end of the 13th Century when all the glassmakers were sent from Venice itself to the island of Murano.  Part of the rationale for the relocation was to avoid a fire within Venice – a potential catastrophe.  Part of the rationale was to ensure that no artisans would be able to escape to establish a competing source of glass anywhere else in Europe.  Photography of the majestic pieces is, consequently forbidden.  And, of course, the price for a piece of beautiful sculpture often contains a comma amid the numerals…

History (a footnote)

The creation of one of the most influential sea powers ever within the Mediterranean area is the subject of books – and, impossible to compress into a coherent blog entry.

Early Map of Venice

Map by Turkish Explorer – note annotations in Arabic

But, the intersection of religions, cultures, and technologies has been an impetus to progress since earliest times.  The Venetians combined all of their skills with their extensive knowledge of the surrounding countries to develop a prosperous civilization.  Even the Crusades, at the end of the 12th Century, were used to augment the power of a growing nation-state.

(When Crusaders arrived to take possession of the fleet of boats that they commissioned for the transport of soldiers and the capture of Jerusalem – and, blithely announced that compensation would be made after the successful conquest of the Islamic rulers of the Middle East – the Venetians explained that there were other payment options.

Consequently, the Crusaders, ostensibly intent on returning Jerusalem to Christian control, became the mercenaries of a pragmatic maritime power. And the epicenter of Christianity, Constantinople, fell to the Venetians.  Indeed, much of the magnificent art and decorative sculpture of Venice is the booty of that ad hoc military-religious campaign.)

And, did we mention the Basilica of St. Mark?  Interior photos not permitted.  But, references abound.

Rialto bridge

Rialto Bridge

Three days of wandering about Venice is not enough!

Bayside

Bayside Vaporetto stop

canal at sunset

Canal at Sunset

Next entry: navigation – not Venetian maps of the world in the 14th century, but how to get from point A to point B by bicycle.

Introduction

07 Monday May 2012

Posted by 2wheels2travel in Italy 2012, Philosophy

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

bicycle adventure, new civilization, travel

Imagine for a moment that we were able to develop a civilization where all technology is appropriate, and society’s growth and development are sustainable.  A world where “natural” does not simply mean a return to the 11th century – nor, just wearing organic cotton T-shirts with trendy phrases.

We would have diverse visions of this new civilization – but the bicycle would be integral to our modes of travel in almost all scenarios of the future.

We recognize that this invention, in the second half of the 19th century, of a human-powered, pedal-driven machine was an enduring contribution to transportation.  Not merely the 19th century enthusiasts. Not just the folks who ride around the block in suburbia on weekends.  Not the heroic athletes of the Tour de France.  The bicycle has, and will have, many forms and uses.

It can produce glee and broad smiles in a newly competent 5 year old on her first tricycle.  A bicycle can, under proper circumstance, serve as a commute option.  It can enable us to experience travel in new ways.  Faster than walking, much slower than an automobile – a pace in harmony with an awareness of our journeys.

Stories and Journeys

Much of this blog will be stories – rides and observations from a couple who are attempting to integrate bicycles into our lives.  Part of this blog is musing on the themes in the above paragraphs: visions of a less fossil fuel dependent economy; benefits of a slower pace of life; advantages of integrating healthy exercise into the fabric of getting from here to there…

Like all efforts, there is a catalyst: a desire to share our current journey with friends and colleagues.  We (Joy and Arthur) are about to head off on a two-week bike ride in Northern Italy, a May 2012 ride organized by the Bicycle Adventure Club.

Recent Posts

  • Why Travel?
  • Into Belgium: the Journey Ends
  • Beyond Paris: A Journey Continues
  • Beyond Paris: Riding
  • Paris to Bruge: September 16 – 30, 2017

Archives

  • August 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • June 2012
  • May 2012

Categories

  • France 2015
  • Italy 2012
  • Philosophy
  • Preparation
  • Trivia
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • 2wheels2travel
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • 2wheels2travel
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...