Friday, May 13, 2005
Sempre Dritto
It is said by J. G. Links, the author of Venice for Pleasure, that the only direction you will get from a Venetian is 'sempre dritto' (dritto being the Venetian contraction for diritto). This is approximately, 'always direct', or even 'straight ahead'. In fact, Links adds, "If he does not answer, 'sempre dritto', he is not a Venetian, and his directions must be treated with caution." This curiously psuedo-precise term is common throughout Italy. I was advised, 'avanti diritto, sempre diritto' (proceed ahead, straight ahead), only to find myself facing a 'Y' in the road within a block.
The orienteer constrained by 'either/or' logic, implicitly expects the single 'best' directions that the offeror can give. However, this poor soul will miss the greater truth in the statement 'sempre dritto' of our fleeting acquaintance. What he is telling us is: "Where you are going does not depend on the particular path you take. In Venice, there are beautiful things on each path. Take one. Do not worry about the path taking you to your destination. Your destination will find you."
And now, to you my friend, I say, sempre dritto.
- Orienteering: Venetian Style .
Guess where we're going this weekend? :)
The orienteer constrained by 'either/or' logic, implicitly expects the single 'best' directions that the offeror can give. However, this poor soul will miss the greater truth in the statement 'sempre dritto' of our fleeting acquaintance. What he is telling us is: "Where you are going does not depend on the particular path you take. In Venice, there are beautiful things on each path. Take one. Do not worry about the path taking you to your destination. Your destination will find you."
And now, to you my friend, I say, sempre dritto.
- Orienteering: Venetian Style .
Guess where we're going this weekend? :)
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