Venezia YSA dance

It would seem that Venice itself isn’t exciting enough so they made the YSA stake dance in Venice Hawaiian themed. Hahah I guess if you live in Venice then that’s normal for you. Maggie (the one other Young Single Adult in the Trento branch) sent me the invite and I couldn’t resist. How often do you get to go to a dance party in Venice?

Maggie excitedly told me on the train ride to Venice all about her friends who would be there and how fun the weekend would be! It’s a big deal when the young adults get together, because there is no YSA ward in Italy. They traveled from all over northern Italy to meet up for this party and a special church service the next morning of just YSA together!

I drifted in and out of sleep on the train, but was awake to see Maggie offer her jacket to the woman sitting next to me. The beautiful woman was wearing a sleeveless shirt and shivering in the air conditioning. The woman accepted her jacket and I was touched by the simple act of kindness to a complete stranger.

As our train approached Venice everyone excitedly looked out the window. We crossed a long bridge over the sea to get into the city. Before the train came to a halt in the station, the woman returned Maggie’s jacket and offered Maggie and I both a Russian candy. She was a tourist from Russia and spoke to us in English. The candy turned out to be some kind of nougat and crispy wafers covered in dark chocolate.

We met up early in the morning with a handful of friends to fare un giro (go around) Venezia.

What a wonderful group of friends! If you are going to be a tourist in Italy, I’d highly suggest seeing the sights with the locals. They know the best places to go and how to do it and the little beautiful spots that crowds of tourists don’t go to or know about. Nicole studied at the University in Venice, so she was our personal guide.

Venice was even more colorful, magical, and beautiful than I remember it. I’d been there once with my family and we camped on the beach. All I remember from my first visit was melting in the heat and panting on top of my sleeping bag with minimal clothing, trying to sleep on the hot Venetian summer night.

This time it was still hot and still sweaty, but less so and much more enjoyable. With Nicole, I saw much more of the city and with new friends I saw it in a whole new light.

We happened upon a little museum-type room filled with information on the famous gondolas of Venice. There was a movie depicting the craft of how gondolas are made projected on an old wall. The film was lengthy and in Italian. I didn’t catch everything but from what I understood, water and fire are both key components in the process. Fire is actually used to seal the wood, and it is covered in pitch (like Noah’s ark). The traditional gondolas are made with old, tried and true techniques unique to this city.

Our group enjoyed lunch and gelatos. I got to know everyone better. Nicole served her mission in Scotland and Ireland. She is studying art and violin. Richard got home from his mission in Barcelona, Spain just a few months ago. He is doing BYU-I online and working. Richard has a strong testimony and was fun to talk to.

Marcos is from Argentina but his family moved to Italy when he was four years old, so culturally he is also very Italian. Marcos served his mission in Greece and Cypress! I asked him about the food in Greece and that launched us into an hour long conversation about food. That’s how I know he is a real Italian. Does my passion for food make me Italian too?

Venezia. Venice. City of water, of bridges, of canals, of masks. Floating city. City of mine.

Nicole took us to all the best spots. She said that her favorite way to get to know a city is to just go and

get lost in it.

Richard pointed out that the problem with Mission Impossible movies is that in the end, it is always possible.

As we crowded into the narrowest alleyway of the city, we heard incessant screeching from a window two stories up. It was unworldly and almost comical. “What is that??”

“It’s a parrot!” They told me. We laughed and talked with the insane parrot. The poor bird must’ve been locked up and going mad because it sounded like a broken record.

By the end of the day we were all wiped out and sore from being on our feet, but the party was just about to begin!

We took a bus to the Venice church building and walking inside felt like coming home. I love that I can go anywhere in the world and find home and family in Christ’s church.

The party was incredible! I met other GANS, danced, and ate lots of amazing food prepared by Brazilian members in the ward! Daniele (young man in his late twenties and served in Washington state) said he wanted to test my Italian by asking me a “hard” question, “Hai un ragazzo?” Haha I shook my head no and laughed, because it was a simple answer to an easy question. I am a GANS after all.

I was impressed by the Venice church building! Not huge but beautiful. It has dark wood beams and chandeliers of traditional Venetian glass.

The party went late into the night and we didn’t get to bed until well after midnight. Generous arrangements were made for those who traveled to sleep in the homes of members that night. Maggie and I roomed together with a sweet family originally from Hungary. Maggie’s mom is from Hungary so that was a special connection for her!

That night there was a thunderstorm as we slept. I woke up to rainy fresh morning air. This weekend daytime felt more like a dream than the night. ✨