So, the following was written a few weeks ago, after I had been in Padova for a week. I meant to finish it, but subsequently got busy! I finished it up today and included photos of the things we have been doing. There is more to come. We explored Verona last week. It was a lovely city to visit. Before that, we did a hike in the Euganean Hills. I will write more soon!
April 8th, 2025
It has been just about a week since I took off from Michigan and made my way to Italy to meet David. The first time I was in Italy, several years ago, it was a trip celebrating my sister-in-law’s milestone birthday. We hit the ground running and spent our days seeing and doing as much as we could. We went to Rome, Venice, and Florence. We saw tons of art, our blood turned to Aperol, and we walked what felt like a billion miles. It was a trip of a lifetime. The second time I came to Italy was with David. He had a conference. We stayed in a quiet town outside of Venice where were introduced to the laid back lifestyle and the evening appertivo. We took the train to Bassano del Grappa and Venice. We also went on an excursion to the Dolomiti, which left us in awe of the natural beauty that is here. You can say, that conference week is where David’s sabbatical plans were born.
I have had to adjust my perspective and slow my roll. I do not have to hit the ground running and go see all that I could see as fast as possible. I have to figure out how to live here on a daily basis and immerse myself in the experience. It is perfectly acceptable to eat a sweet treat for breakfast and wash it down with a cappuccino. I enjoy the little bowls of potato chips served with an afteroon or evening spritz. There are good grocery stores and fresh produce markets to buy what I need. The food has been farm fresh and delicious. I have a bus pass and can pop onto busses and trams throughout the city. Some adjustments have been harder. While I have been learning Italian for awhile now, I feel tongue-tied and awkward during basic transactions. While I am pleasantly surprised at how much I am understanding, being an outsider creates a barrier to creating some connections that I definitely need to thrive.
Today, it is raining. It is supposed to rain all day and much of the coming week. It is easy to feel defeated by the weather. At home, I have my yoga classes, family, friends, and familiar places. Here, I do not have those connections and am forced to invent my day. I can Google, “What to do on a Rainy Day in Padova,” and force myself to go out and march through historic sites with my camera. I really don’t want to. I had to ask myself, what would I do on a day like this at home? I find myself contemplating what I am going to make for dinner tonight. I have some eggplant from the market that need to be used and some chicken thighs. I just need a few ingredients from the market down the street. That is motivating. I am going to search for some local cooking classes next! We have planned some trips, so we can see more of Italy while we are here. I am looking forward to those adventures. I am also grateful that I have this opportunity to immerse myself and feel what it feels like to live in Italy for awhile!
Ciao!
Padova is a city in Northern Italy, located in the Veneto region. It is home to the 13th Century Basilica of St. Anthony, which contains his tomb, as well as his jaw bone,(pictured), which I discovered on my explorations!
Padova is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the University of Padova. It was established in 1222. Galileo Galilei lectured here! It is also home to the oldest University Botanical Gardens in the world, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. David was invited to use his laser scanner in the gardens to get a better picture of the scope and scale of the trees that are growing there. It is an amazing opportunity for him, as he continues to collaborate and share knowledge with others.
Padova is a city of art, science, and religious heritage. Art is embedded in the everyday. Simply walking around, going about ones daily business, opens one up to seeing walls and structures that have been around for centuries. I found myself at the local roller-skating track surrounded by centuries old walls in view of St. Giustina‘s Abbey.
St. Giustina’s is close to the Prato della Valle, where lots of gatherings and markets take place. It is a great spot to people watch and relax. There are lots of little cafes around the Prato, making it a great place to go when you have nothing else to do.
Bicycling is very popular in Padua. 30% of its residents use bicycles to get around. There are bikes paths and trails throughout the city and beyond. You could bike to Austria if you desired. At one point, there were 6 bicycle factories in Padova. To take advantage of this bicycle friendly place, David and I bought bicycles, so we can explore the surrounding areas.
It is easy to wander and walk for miles and miles, which is exhausting! Having the bikes and a public transit pass has definitely saved our feet! Here is another assortment of photos, from St. Michele’s oratory and St.Giustina’s, as well as general sight- seeing photos.
Forest Therapy and Forest Bathing Walks 