Thursday, November 17, 2005

i promise you a gondola ride


on calle del magazen, near a cafe, i found this gondola floating peaceful in the water on a saturday afternoon. i had been walking around aimlessly when this gondola drew me in. the heart shaped love seat was empty and i wanted to wait to see if two lovers would fill it in. five steps down and closer to romantic paradise. i imagined the soothing italian serenades filling the air with sweet melody and lovesick eyes staring at each other saying, "i'll never forget this moment" and kissing to complete the memory.



i wish you were here with me.

a gondola ride wasn't in my plans during my stay. i wanted to leave something untouched and waiting for me to experience with you for the first time. your absence brought me sadness but the love in the air happily distracted me. still, it didn't stop me from thinking of you. i thought of how far you were and it wasn't just in the miles. our distance was immeasurable.


before i walked away from here i comforted myself with hopes that one day i would return with you. i was happy that i had someone i could save this for. realistically, i knew that it might never happen for us in this lifetime.

i positioned my camera to frame this dream just right. this photograph, a reminder of all the feelings that i had allowed to grow inside; the courage in having opened my heart to all the possibilities of love. it was such an exhilarating moment and when i walked away i was smiling because my desire finally had a name.

i promise you a gondola ride...

34 comments:

Unknown said...

i've never been on a gondola ride but i did get on one of those small boats in xochimilco in mexico city--i think they come pretty close. i wasn't with a significant other but it was a very peaceful and lovely experience. and i made similar plans to return with someone special.

Anonymous Poet said...

I've been on a gondola ride in Venice. It was great! Everyone should definitely try it at least once!!

Anonymous Poet said...

I've been on a gondola ride in Venice. It was great! Everyone should definitely try it at least once!!

Ar Ar Ar Arrrrr said...

gondola ride sounds fun to me...

And the pic was good too. Pretty neat.

mermaid said...

You have extracted so many beautiful memories from Venice, Florence, etc. Time to go back??? Not to mention the black and white lingering memories...

Lorena said...

cracked chancla :: oh that's cool. good to see you back. do you remember a few years back Chicago had gondola rides on the Chicago River. it looked cute but i never got on one.

anonymous poet :: i agree. can't wait! :)

arz00n :: thanks, glad you visited.

mermaid :: i thought i wouldn't see you for awhile since i know the big day is coming. anyhow, yeah it would be nice to go back but i wouldn't mind visiting new places first. i'm nostalgic :)

irina :: good to see you again! and thanks :) that is so cool that you could feel it. thanks for your sweet words!

Innocent Bullet said...

Beautiful vignette! It didn't slide into self-pity and yet moved the reader enough to feel few pangs within. And in the end peacefully resolves. Lovely writing, Lorena! :-)

Shubhodeep said...

nice one, beautifully put.

johnny boy said...

Never got a chance to see a gondola, cos we don have them here in India... I lovve to visit new places, n read about different cities! One reason why i loved ur post! Do write in about such experiences, wud love to read! :)
Hope u get to go on a gondola ride, with that special person, soon :))) Take care!

. : A : . said...

Beautiful. Both the pics and the words. I really want to go on the gondola ride too.

Cold Cut Ten said...

I like this picture. The cafe there looks very cosy too.

DeeM said...

~deep breath... sigh~
;)

DeeM said...

~deep breath...sigh~
;)

Mariposatomica said...

the closest i've come to a gondola ride is sitting in an innertube at a waterpark in Rockford. Not very exciting. I wish you a gondola ride with your muse.Lovely pic!

Rex Venom said...

Beautiful!
Rock on.

Gel said...

Sounds enchanting. I'm glad you indulged in spontaneity. I've never been on a gondola ride.
Beautiful photo and post, L.
SilvermOOn aka Green-Eyed Lady

... said...

I love the way you brought a sort of talking piece to the abstraction. Gondola rides do give off a sense of exotic mystery and romance. I hope you go back sooner rather than later...

Pincushion said...

'i thought of how far you were and it wasn't just in the miles. our distance was unmeasurable.'.....
'I promise you....'

Absolutely beautiful!
You have this wonderful gift of putting into words things that can only be felt..I too have promised things..which I know might never happen.....
sigh!

Lorena said...

dan husain :: thank you :) love your review!

tomas :: beautifully said about love :) thanks!

shubhodeep :: thanks :)

johnny boy :: well i'm glad you enjoyed reading. i try to visit a new place at least once a year....thanks for your well wishes. hope you get to visit new places in the future.

.:A:. :: thanks :)

liz :: yeah it does, you're right..thanks.

deem :: :)

mariposatomica :: it's almost similar if you brought the romance with you and someone was singing in italian or spanish?! :)
thank you.

rex venom :: thanks. you too!

green-eyed lady :: actually i didn't get on it if that's what you meant? anyhow, thanks :)

o?o :: thank you :)

pincushion :: wow, thanks for the huge compliment. it means a lot especially coming from such a talented person :) it brightened my day.

{illyria} said...

i love this frail, floaty, romantic side of you.

goliku said...

Lorena, the photo looks classic and you look gorgeous. Keep it up with your good works.

Anonymous said...

lovely place with a lovely photo taken by you!

wow great words of memories :)

dont worry one day you'll go back
with the right guy on the right time :)

Pecos Blue said...

who is he? I am always wondering if you already know him or if you are thinking about what he will be like.

sirbarrett said...

Lorena dear, this is brilliant and so romantic. You break my heart! I like that you keep things so sacred for yourself and the other. The ride is something to look forward to. The universe now has a place for you and the gondola in its future.

Imaginair' said...

Nice photos ! I live in Paris (France) and it reminds me the last time I went to Venezia. Ii was in november : the weather was beautiful but cold and moisty. I could take very beautiful pictures. Landscapes through the fog... But I was cold after 30 mn and in Venezia : everything is out. No place to be inside (not many bars...). I must buy hot clothes to stay out. Lol ! Any way, it is the best moment to see Venezia : no people and different lights.

Lorena said...

transience :: as always, such a pretty comment :) thank you.

goliku :: thank you :) glad you visited!

eden :: good to hear :) thanks.

pecos blue :: i definitely know this person :)

sirbarrett :: thank you. reading your comment gives me hope. everything you say always does. i guess you have that magic :)

imaginair' :: thank you. glad you visited. wow Paris and Venezia. 2 beautiful places. i went in May and it wasn't that crowded but i would love to see these lights you speak of. anyhow, thanks for sharing your thoughts :)

cannotBeTrusted :: no worries, i'm just as guilty on visiting...good to see you back! well your observation is right.....i agree with you and i'm working on it :)...i'm going for what i want, i just don't know when i should move on...thank you for the push because i'm the kind of person who needs it.
thanks :)

aa said...

The thought of saving something to share with someone for the first time is endearingly sweet.

Your posts always contain a tinge of innocence in them. Something that is easily lost in most people.

EGO SVM CAROLVS said...

Here is what you always bring with you, a place, a feeling, a walk, the gondola ride. Thanks for bringing here to us. Always lovely to read about your places. :)

Lorena said...

free spirit :: thanks. i'm happy that you can sense that in my posts :) glad to see you back!

carolvs :: that is such an amazing way to put it. thank you always for your inspiring words :)

amiethinggoes said...

i've never been on a gondola ride...looks romantic...and with your words about it...it does sound definitely romantic

a bit far from my corner of the world...but still i wish someone would offer me a ride on it.

stella said...

it's amazing how the picture captures everything you described. such romance in still-life form.

wonderful piece lorena :)

Lorena said...

amie :: glad it sounded romantic :) i'm sure someone will in the future!

stella :: thanks. glad to see you back! :)

Blue Athena said...

to share
a moment
with you
in a
lover's paradise
with sweet music
wafting,
completing
the moment
as we kiss


ps: Your words draw this beautiful picture of longing and romance. Really nice Lorena! :)

Lorena said...

thanks for the beautiful words blue athena :) i'm glad you shared them.