10 Place of My City – Vicenza 維琴察城市筆記

說實在話，以前從來也沒想過我真的會住到國外，而且還到了義大利北部這個絕對不屬於都會城市的地方。搬過來四年多，也漸漸適應了此處悠閒緩慢的生活。聽過這個城市的朋友並不多，每每談起，總是要花點時間解釋，幾年下來也習慣了。偶然之間看到城市筆記的串聯活動，稍作思考以後竟然發現，一些自己已經習以為常的地點，竟然還叫不出名字來…姑且就讓我跟隨著前人的腳步，做起屬於我的城市筆記，更清楚地認識我目前的居住地 – 維琴察，帕拉底歐之城。
Honestly speaking, I'd never thought that I'd move abroad and come to this non-metropolitan city in the north Italy. Four years have passed since I arrived. Gradually I am adapting the relaxed and slow pace here. Not too many friends heard of this city before. Every time I was asked where I am living, I always have to spend some time explaining. By accident I saw this blogger activity "10-places-of-my-city". Thinking carefully, I didn't even know some of the places that I go very often. So I've decided to follow the trend and take my own note, to get to know even more clearly of where I am living - Vicenza, the city of Palladio.

[L’ANGOLO DEL GELATO]
位於Creazzo地區，有著熱情的老闆娘和讓我戀戀不忘的冰淇淋。
Situated in the Creazzo area. This is a ice cream shop with a very enthusiastic hostess and my favorite ice cream in the whole Italy.

[AL MOLIN VECIO]
是我和老公結婚宴客的餐廳，嗜吃美食的我們，隔段時間總會找點藉口去打打牙祭。
The place I and my husband had our wedding banquet. Food is really good. Once in a while we would find some excuses to go and feast.

[TEATRO OLIMPICO]
是維琴察市區內最著名的古蹟之一，只要友人來訪，我必然會來個到此一遊，每每仍然被劇場內舞台佈景之美心動不已。
One of the most famous heritage site in Vicenza city center. It is a must go place for visitors and I go there whenever friends come for a visit. Whenever I go, I am still amazed by the beautiful sight on the stage.

[PIAZZA DI MONTE BERICO]
是眺望維琴察景色的最佳地點，廣場不但是情人約會的浪漫去處，旁邊更有著曾經聖蹟顯靈的美麗教堂。
The best place to have a panorammic view of Vicenza. The quare itself is a popular/romantic places for lovers. Besides the square stands the beautiful sanctuary, Chiesa di S. Maria, the most famous and visited sanctuary in the Veneto area.

[CORSO PALLADIO]
維琴察市區的主要街道，沿路商店林立，血拼的好去處。
The main street in the Vicenza city center. Major shopping area.

[LIBRERIA GALLA]
維琴察市區最大的書店，即使仍以義文為主，在裡面享受被書擁抱的感覺也挺不錯的！
The biggest bookshop in Viccenza. Though most of the books are in Italian, I still enjoy the feeling to be surrounded by books.

[PIAZZA DEI SIGNORI]
市中心最大的廣場，市集的主要地點，有著帕拉底歐設計建造的Basilica Palladiana，這個有著淺綠色船型屋頂的建築物，是維琴察的地標。
The main square of Viccenza and major area for market. Beside the square there's the famous Basilica Palladiana that was designed and constructed by Palladio. This building with boat shaped roof in pale green color is the landmark of Vicenza.

[GALLARIA D’ARTE VALMORE]
這個藝廊我去過很多次，因為是朋友媽媽藝品店所附設的展示空間。藝廊主人自己是收藏家，對當代藝術非常熱衷，常常邀請或策劃展出小有知名度的藝術作品，而我和老公則因朋友之幸，常常是開展酒會的座上嘉賓。只是說也好笑，一個這麼熟悉的地方，我一直到寫這篇文章的當下，才知道這個藝廊到底叫什麼名字！
I've been to this art gallery quite a few times because it is the exhibition area of an arts shop that is belonged to a friend's mother. The ownder of the shop is also a collectionist and is very keen on contemporary art. Every couple months there's a new temporary exhibition. Because of our friend, my husband and I am always invited for the opening. The funny thing is, though I am familiar with the place, I only got to know its name at the very day when I wrote this article.

[GASTRONOMIA PUGLIESE]
約莫兩年多前偶然發現的特色食品小店，每週四都有來自靴子後跟普利亞地區的新鮮食材，莫札雷拉乳酪尤其是我的最愛。
A food shop that we discovered about two years ago. Every Thursday there's fresh stuff from Puglia area in the south Italy. The mozzarella cheese is my favorate.

[LA TRIESTINA]
市中心大大小小的咖啡館中，最常去的就是它。沒有新咖啡館的豪華裝潢，以味道取勝。冬日時節，我尤其喜歡來杯散發著肉桂香的熱巧克力，喝下去，整個身子暖呼呼的，心情也好了起來…
Among all the coffee shop in the city center, this is my favorate. There's no luxurious decoration and the main "winning point" is its flavor. In winter time, I especially like to have a cup of hot chocolate with cinnamon that help to warm up my body and bring up my mood...

PS.這是一個網路串聯活動, 相關資訊請按下列連結
This is a special blogger initiative. For information please check the following link.
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<大禮大同之行>對於平緩的定義 “Flat” Defined

儘管在大禮過夜的條件不盡理想，可愛的嚮導和他們在山上‘辦桌’的本領，吃飽喝足以後聊天唱歌，還是讓我們渡過了愉快的夜晚。
Even though the lodging conditions were too ideal in Dali, the friendly guides, their capability of preparing a real feast in the mountains and the “cultural exchanges” after dinner still made it a lovely and unforgettable night for us.

那個晚上我睡得出其地好，也許是身體的勞頓，讓我聽不到周圍其他人的打呼聲（據說整晚打呼聲不絕於耳，好比重唱），隔天早上即使起了大早，仍然能精神抖擻地迎接下一個挑戰。
Unexpectedly I’ve had such a good sleep. Maybe for the tiredness by the upward trip, I didn’t hear anyone snoring during the night. (Someone has had a very bad sleep because he kept hearing the “sixtet” during the whole night!) We got up very early the next day. Even though, I felt totally refreshed to face the challenges of the new day.

前往大同，原本是第一天的行程，不過由於前一天的天氣狀況太糟，嚮導們於是決定將這一段順延到隔天早上。現在回想起來，如果知道路況，那天早上大概也不會出發去大同吧！還記得他們說，往大同的路「很平緩」，我們一行人就這麼被騙了上去。所謂的平緩，也不過是比前一天上山的路好走而已，上上下下的緩坡仍然不斷，加上前日下雨所留下的泥濘，整段過程還是不太好走。原路徑進出，一個早上，我們竟也走了十公里多，也對「平緩」領悟到了全新的意義…
Originally the trip to Datong belonged to the first day plan. Because of the weather conditions, the guides decided to postpone it to the next morning. Thinking back, if we knew the road conditions we wouldn’t have departed for Datong. All of us remember that they said the road to Datong is “very flat”, and we naively believed in what they said… The so-called “flat” actually means “milder than the upward trip”. All along the way, there are continuous ups and downs though the slopes are mild. The muddiness left by the rain added to the difficulties of the trip. How we got in, how we got out! In a single morning, we’ve walked for more than 10 kilometers and had a brand new understanding of the meaning of “flat”…

<大禮大同之行>入侵民宅 Taroko trip: Invasion

我稱之為入侵民宅，因為屋主並不在家，不過外頭天氣狀況不好，我們實在也沒辦法，只好硬著頭皮試試看。運氣好的是，竟然發現門沒有關得很好，不費吹灰之力，我們便已經進入這座曾是教堂的小屋。
I call it “invasion”, because the owner of the house was not there. The weather condition was too terrible and we had no choice but tried to “break in”. Luckily, the door wasn’t locked well and we didn’t make too much effort to enter the used-to-be-church house.

進了屋裡，我著實嚇了一跳，雖然我並不預期在這樣的山中找到豪華宅院，不過屋內只有簡單的洗手台、爐火、曬衣架、小桌子和床板，我真的無法想像這樣的生活，不過在當下，全身溼透又累又餓的我們，腦中其實也沒法想太多，嚮導們簡簡單單準備了午餐，也成了珍饈，吃完午餐也顧不得形象，睡袋一鋪將就睡了起來，其實，人的生活，原來可以這麼簡單！
I was surprised by what I saw when I entered the house. Though I didn’t expect to find a luxurious villa in the mountains, but what I found in the house were a simple basin, a fireplace, hanger for clothes, a tiny little table, and a sleeping place. To be honest, I can’t really imagine living in that condition. But at that very moment we were totally wet, tired and hungry, and couldn’t really think too much. The guide prepared some simple lunch, which became gourmet in our hungry eyes. After lunch, I couldn’t really think of anything about “image”, I opened the sleeping bag, found my corner and fell asleep. Well… what can I say… Life can be really simple!