The train ride was super short: 40 minutes. And it only cost 2,90 euros. Well worth it. When we arrived the 1st thing we saw was McDonald's, so naturally we went in. (Don't worry, it was only to use the restroom.) Then we decided to find our way to the center of town, which, according to the website I checked before we left, wasn't that far. Well, either we followed the wrong signs or the website lied, but it took us almost an hour to get to the Prato della Valle, which is the main piazza. The walk wasn't terrible, it was just longer than expected, so we entertained ourselves by playing I spy with the Day symbol (the meal vouchers we have.) Apparently Venice is pretty stingy on them considering we saw more restaurants in Padova that took them than didn't.
The city itself was quite a bit more industrial than a Verona or Venice, but it still had that European air of antiquity. There would be an obscure, but obviously old building halfway hidden by some monstrosity from the 70s.
Once we arrived at the Prato della Valle we took pictures of the statues and even struck our own statuesque poses. Then we went to Basilica Sant'Antonio, which is where St. Anthony is buried. It was a very baroque church, with different plaques dedicated to the deceased covering any surface that wasn't painted in 15 different designs. The tomb of St. Anthony was rather beautiful, surrounded by pictures of those whom St. Anthony was meant to protect. On our way out I noticed little leaflets in different languages on which you could write your prayer and then stick it in the offering box. That was pretty normal, until I read the bottom of the card where it explained that you could also email your prayers and petitions to dearsaintanthony@santantonio.org . They even had a website: http://www.carosantantonio.it. It was all a bit much if you ask me...
After these observations we decided it was lunch time and found one of the many restaurants that took our vouchers. Not only that, but we got a drink, a coffee, and an entire pizza, for 7 euro. It was heavenly, and warm considering the weather had not brightened at all.Next, we decided to try and find Gallileo's house, which was supposedly near where we were, but ended up back at the central square when I received a surprise text message: The boys had come to Padova.
We agreed to meet in front of the duomo, but knowing that they had a long walk, we took our time getting there: stopping to take pictures of a strange street performance that University students were giving near the famed Caffe Pedrocchi. They were reading off of some sort of banner while the other participants covered them in different food products (flour, ketchup, etc.) It was a strange spectacle, that required some documentation. Then we almost got run over by a bike, which they ride more quickly than cars over there. We finally found the Duomo, as well as Xander and Nick, and we all headed to find Scrovegni Chapel, famous for its frescoes by Giotto.
The chapel was a bit of a walk from where we were, but we didn't mind: the sun had finally come out, and the wind wasn't quite as bone-chilling. Upon arrival we found the ticket office and received an awesome Student rate, 5 euros, bringing our total to 7,90 for the day. They had us watch a movie in an encapsulated glass room so as to adjust the "micro-climate" of the chapel. It was all very sci fi sounding, but once inside it was anything but futuristic. The chapel was painted in a series of frames that told the entire story of Christ's life, as well as that of Mary and Anne. This culminates at the final and most well-known scene at the rear of the church, which depicts the last judgment. It was all completely astonishing, and our allotted 15 minutes went by quite rapidly.
The consensus after the chapel was to head back to the train and thus to Venice, since it was dark and getting later. We located the train station with little difficulty and proceeded to buy tickets for 2,90 again. We ran to our gate only to find that the trains were delayed. As we settled in to wait, a train pulled up and we gladly hopped aboard.
As we walked to the coach cars, I began to get the feeling that we may've made a mistake considering the seats were nicer than those aboard an airplane and we passed a very nice snack car. This fear was realized when we finally sat down, and 2 minutes later someone told Nick that he was in her seat. The train had assigned seating. Fearing another train conductor tongue-lashing, Meg, Alex, and I decided to stand in the doorway and get off at the next stop. The next stop, however, ended up being one from our actual station, and the boys convinced us to stay aboard. I mean the worst that could happen is they fine us, which they didn't. The ride was a success, considering the 45 minute ride had been cut down to about 25 minutes. Relieved, we headed to Rialto to meet our friends at our favorite Irish pub.
Thus ended a very nice trip to a city that I wouldn't have even known about. Fun Fact: Padua is also the setting for Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.
As for today, I woke up about 11:45, which felt quite nice, and now plan to go outside and enjoy the bit of sunlight I can see through the skylights. Tonight is a birthday party for 3 of our fellow classmates at Campo Santa Margarita, basically the only place with nightlife in Venice.
A presto!
<3 Allie
PS I promise pictures soon; my camera is out of battery.
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