L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2015 www.italoamericano.com 6 Criminal Lawyer Practices Gondola Skills Attorney Alan Macina began his litigation career in a criminal defense firm, but he had already had his eye on becoming a gon- dolier, and actually began prac- ticing his gondola skills while in law school. Piloting a gondola has been the lawyer's hobby and passion since 2001. "I knew in law school, when I interned, that I wanted to be a criminal defense lawyer, it got my blood pumping. I felt it was a very important calling and exciting," said Macina. "In the end, justice is done, but vigi- lance is necessary to insure that people do not suffer unnecessar- ily." He added that there may be people who have been accused of crimes who may not have committed those crimes. The lawyer feels that he is in a help- ing profession, working in a society helping accused people. He has worked for catholic char- ities, immigration services and s p e n t t i m e i n C h i l e d o i n g defense law. "It wasn't only exciting, it was important, and I have always felt that I was help- ing people," he concluded. "While in law school, I also learned how to row a gondola, which is different than just row- i n g i n g e n e r a l , " h e s a i d . A c c o r d i n g t o M a c i n a , m u c h training is involved becaus e Venetian rowing, the art of row- ing a gondola, takes lots of prac- tice, not to mention being dili- g e n t i n p r o v i d i n g s a f e t y t o clients and preventing damage to the gondola. It is not as tricky h e r e i n t h e S t a t e s a s i t i s i n Venice, according to Macina. Although quite skilled, the humble lawyer gives much cred- it to Venetian gondoliers who he says, "are a level above and very professional." Macina attests to the fact that it takes great skill to maneuver a 13 liter boat through the narrow canals of Venice. He said it takes "lots of daily prac- tice, for many years," adding that for Venetians, gondolas are their cars. In fact, he related that he saw elderly couples going out for quiet, evening rides adding that Venetians use them for their exercise benefits as well. O r i g i n a l l y f r o m F l o r i d a , Macina stated that he moved here "chasing" his girlfriend who he met in the Peace Corp and later became his wife. Both Macina's wife and grandfather are originally from the Puglia d i s t r i c t o f I t a l y . T h i s f a c t enabled him to obtain his recent dual citizenship. He has also ROBERT GALLO lived in Italy, and since both husband and wife speak fluent I t a l i a n , t h e y h a v e n a t u r a l l y taught their two children how to speak the language. The Macinas met in West Africa, while serving there in the Peace Corp. From there they travelled to Venice where he f o u n d h i m s e l f v e r y m u c h i n love with his soon-to-be wife and entranced by the Venetian gondolas and gondoliers. When h e r e t u r n e d t o t h e S t a t e s h e began his gondolier adventure at Lake Merritt, California. This is a large tidal lagoon in the center of Oakland, east of the downtown area. Gondola ser- vices are offered on the lake. While there he heard of the gon- d o l a s e r v i c e a t t h e C a y s . " H a v i n g h a d e x p e r i e n c e i n Venice, I knew I had to row," stated the lawyer, adding "after all, once a gondolier, always a g o n d o l i e r . " H e w a s o n t h e p h o n e t o t h e o w n e r o f t h e Gondola Company the next day. In 2002, Macina and his wife took their honeymoon in Venice where he joined a rowing club there. He related that the stan- dard gondola in Venice was his- torically a cargo boat. Some were covered boats and were often used by royalty. A stan- dard gondola can haul 8,000 pounds of cargo and can be eas- ily maneuvered in the narrow c a n a l s b y t h e e x p e r i e n c e d V e n e t i a n g o n d o l i e r s . T h e i r design has remained the same for hundreds of years and use a different style of rowing than conventional rowing techniques. "San Diego has everything I need," said Macina who has a condominium in Little Italy. He r o w s f o r T h e G o n d o l a Company, in Coronado at the Cays which he states provides a "passport to Italy" and encour- ages boaters to "indulge in all t h e m a g i c a n d t r a d i t i o n o f V e n i c e , r i g h t h e r e i n S a n Diego." Macina said the Cays offers calm water, beautiful homes to view and gorgeous sunsets. Alan Macina with sons Bruno (being held) and Dante (standing) at the Coronado Cays The Gondola Company in Coronado offers romantic Venetian gondola rides on San Diego bay

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