Living in a City with no cars.
A Story about Venice
I might not be a driver but living in a city without cars had a big impact on my life. Not having to hear the annoying horns and car sounds is more priceless than I could ever imagine. The air quality is so much better and the paces of the city are so much quieter and relaxed. The whole thing reduces a significant amount of stress out of everyday life.
Though how do we move around in here? It is not just cars that are missing. The way Venice is built with its many many staired bridges over the canals, does not allow any kind of wheels. So no motorcycles nor ever bikes.
There are some boat-buses called the vaporetti. They have routes that can take you around the Grand Canal and some of the other main canals, and they also connect the city with the other islands.
In the sunny days they are filled with tourists fighting for a spot in the openness to get as many photos and selfies as they can. But on the rainy and generally quieter days, it is really something to go to the university or your job in a boat that offers a view to some of the most beautiful waterfront palaces. These views offered vastly in every of the most common occasions are a part of the magic of this city.
For the ones that can afford it there are also the water-taxis that can transport people faster wherever they wish in the city. But these are more or less like taking a limo in any other city.
And of course there are the gondolas! The famous traditional black little boats driven by a man -the gondolier- dressed in the trademark striped blouses and straw hats, complete with a paddle in hand.
The gondolas are a very characteristic part of the Venetian view. They are kind of expensive too (their prices range from 80 to 120 euros) but they are extremely popular among tourists. They can take up to 6 people and are usually chosen by families, companies and of course couples. A romantic ride with a gondola in the canals holds a certain appeal for everyone.
Sometimes the gondoliers will even act as tour-guides explaining to the tourists the history of the city. The gondoliers are also very trained and willing to take pictures of or with their clients because everyone wants a picture in a gondola!
The locals have boats that serve as cars and every other vehicle that you imagine takes the form of a boat.
Nevertheless, most of the times the optimal way to move around the city is walking. Walking around the streets of Venice is quite an experience because…there are high chances that you will end up being lost! The streets of Venice are like mazes. They are small, narrow, numerous and look very much alike. It is very easy to end up in a dead end or doing circles around the same place. Getting lost in Venice is kind of like a right of passage for the city. Thankfully the locals are very used to the phenomenon of people getting lost and are willingly giving directions to everyone. After almost six months of exploring this city I can say that getting lost in it is the best way to see it. There is something worth seeing almost everywhere. The canals, their bridges, the small alleyways, the architecture and the picturesque squares offer magical views.
Living in Venice can actually get you fit. This city inadvertently promotes a healthier lifestyle. Walking several kilometers on a daily basis becomes a habit even for the most unathletic ones. Imagine that there are almost four hundred bridges and every single one of them has stairs in it.
The biggest effect in not having any cars is how dramatically it affects the paces of the city. It makes people walk in their own paces. When there is no need to be cautious of how to cross the street, or to hurry and catch the green light, everyone walks around in a more careless, relaxed way. Furthermore, the majority of people that one meets when walking in Venice, are happy tourists admiring the city. Their euphoria is contagious, seeing people smiling all the time brings a smile on your face too and you often get the feeling of being in an eternal vacation. It all leads to a more relaxed way of life that makes you stop and appreciate the place that you are into.
