Abstract of Fishing Nets in Lagoon
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March 2014
March 27, 2014
Bread and Wine or vice versa
A litre of Pinot Grigio from these for 3.7 Euros
Enjoyed a day out wandering Giudecca and Cannaregio and shopping for important items for the pantry.
Loaves of Bread
March 26, 2014
A Lion at the Arsenale
Another shot from the Arsenale = one of the lion sculptures guarding the doorway. There's a great story about this in a book I recently purchased in that crazy bookshop with the gondola holding the books: there are runic inscriptions on the shoulder/arm of this Lion [I saw them, not sure they're clear in the picture] which were inscribed on it by Vikings - the Lion was brought to Venice from Athens in 1687. It's a long a fascinating tale, too much to excerpt here [source, p. 309 Secret Venice 3rd ed.]
Reflections
I was at the Arsenale the other day, enjoyed a lunch in the sun [it's spring cool but still nice enough to eat outside, as it would be anywhere there was sun and some buffer against the wind = hint, hint Des Moines!!!]. While there next to the Arsenale, several people walking along a canal were reflected into the still waters. Interesting I thought.
March 24, 2014
Just a few more pictures from Venice
Today and yesterday: cold, rainy off and on, and windy. I'm okay except when the wind makes it seem even colder [even layers won't work]. So I have stayed indoors to work on some projects. And here are a couple of pictures from around town:
Venice Graffiti
For the Poor of San Vincenzo
March 20, 2014
Everyone on their phone, texting
No different from anywhere else these days. Other than these kids are all perched around a closed water well in Venice. More information on them can be found here.
March 19, 2014
Gondolas in the Fog
As time permits, I'm going to work on some photos to try to lend something artistic to them .... here's a start - I just love the ethereal sense and the gondola shape...
Gondolier keeping up with the news....
while he waits.
My sense of humor is still intact, despite my sore feet!
Walking all over Venice is not for the faint of heart...definitely, good shoes help but they don't solve all the problems. In any event this morning I found there was a local transit strike which affects the Vaporettos [limiting their frequency a bit] - from the SlowTrav site:
March 19, 2014
Local public transportation, 24 hours with rush hour exceptions determined locally. Called by the main unions.
Yesterday I wandered a bit and found the following: because of the red brochures stuck in the mailboxes, it made me think of two heads, one on top of the other, with red hair curled around the ears.
March 17, 2014
Discoveries in Venice
Just a little update. Still wandering around but discovered the Museo Della Musica off to the easter part of San Marco...lots of older instruments on display, violins, cellos, flutes, mandolins.
Plus they're very environmentally conscious....how about a Green Funeral? -
March 16, 2014
First Few Days in Venice, sun, spring and fog
I’ve been in Venice 3 days and enjoyed each one, although when one is alone one’s voice is a bit unused. My main activities have been wandering all over Cannaregio and Castello and talking pictures. I’ve picked up some essentials at the local CoOp and Parmigiano cheese and asparagus at local markets. I cooked risotto with the asparagus and cheese and survived to tell the tale.
The last few days have involved loads of photography. A real treat came this morning when I woke to find everything shrouded in fog, one reason I wanted to come for a longer period than usual. Ethereal and magical.
I’m maintaining a detailed diary of things and excerpting it for my blog on SlowTravel’s site. Later, when it’s up, I’ll share the URL. These little snippets on this blog and Facebook are just to update folks. Wireless here is very good [and throughout the city]. but I’d rather not be hanging around the computer all the time. So, it’s off and out the door to take pictures tomorrow!
March 15, 2014
Mar 15, 2014
Gondolas in this morning's fog
March 14, 2014
Yesterday was yet another lovely spring day...
Most of my time right now is spent wandering around, getting to know the streets/calles of the sestiere where I am staying, Cannaregio. Here's a typical scene - I really enjoy the blue covers on the black gondolas, in some ways more than when they're uncovered and being used.
March 13, 2014
A spring lunch in Venice
S.S Giovanni et Paolo Square
March 03, 2014
Trying to ignore the cold and snow....
a photo from a recent trip to Arizona...think sun and warm!!!
