Gondoliera

by Tomoko Oyama
(Saitama, Japan)

One of my favorite comic books is "ARIA" (author: Kozue Amano), the tales of girls who train as gondoliers in a city like Venice on Mars, in the future.

Of course, I love its story, but also I love its beautiful scenery and events, which are based on Venice.

A gondolier, meaning a man who rows a gondola, is a job that has only been for men for about 900 years. They have supported the lives of people and also have been the symbol of Venice.

In order to become a gondolier, all examinees have to pass a difficult examination, for example, about the techniques of rowing a gondola, the history of Venice, and speaking more than 3 languages.

In 2009, the first woman gondolier, a "gondoliera," was born. Her father was a gondolier, she loves gondolas, and she takes her friends or family to go somewhere by her gondola. She needs more training before she can make a living as a gondoliera.

It seems that the world of "ARIA" has become true!