Recap

Well, Venice is fast becoming a distant memory and I have now started planning my next trip.  I see Croatia in my future as well as some of my standard favourite places.

However, I wanted to finish this blog with a few thoughts.

The first one, and it is not related to Venice at all, was the one very low point of this trip for me.  Having so many fabulous memories of this trip, it is a shame that one which stands out is an ugly one.  On our return to London, John and I went to a John Lewis department store in a mall outside of central London.  It is in an area where a lot of the people are Jewish.  In the mall parking lot, there was a beautiful new Mercedes and, on its hood, someone had "keyed" a large Swastika.  Seeing in person a symbol which represents such a dark time in history really punched me in the gut.  It had much more impact than when I've seen photos in the newspaper or on TV.  I just don't get the hatred that seems to have been given a stronger voice lately.  It was truly disgusting!

Okay, back to the Venetian part of the trip.  It was sort of humorous how, at the start of our days in costume, I had to twist John's and Pedro's arms to put on any kind of makeup at all.  As it was, they drew the line at lipstick and initially they were reluctant even to put it on.  By the end of our stay though they were calling me saying, "Maureen, where did you put the lipstick.  I need it and can't find it."  We are talking about returning to Venice in two years. Perhaps by then, I will be able to persuade them to try eyeliner, eye shadow and blush as well!

During our stay, Faye and Barry arranged a dinner with some people they know from their previous visits to Carnevale.  Several of the folks we had dinner with were professional photographers.  I have since "friended" one of them and I would like to share some of his work with you.  Kah Kit Yoong is a very talented photographer and I think his photos are stunning.  I hope you agree.

So, with that, this blog is finished and I can't wait to start writing the next one - wherever that may take place.  I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my Venetian experience.

A Blog for the Dogs

Well, after a weekend in London, I flew back to Victoria on Tuesday.  However, as I went through all the photos that the three of us took while we were in Venice, I realized there is probably at least one or two more blogs that still need to be written.

I have already posted a lot of photos of the amazing costumes we saw but I neglected to mention "man's best friend" was also often a star at Carnival.  We saw more than one proud dog owner who had dressed their dog to match their own costume.  What surprised me is that dogs really didn't seem to mind it - even the dog with shoes on!

So, here are a few of the dogs we saw dressed for the occasion.

Our Last Day in Venice

Thursday was our last day in Venice.  After spending the morning at S.Salute admiring all the fabulous costumes, we wandered through the back alleys between there and the Accademia Bridge.  While the photographers mostly ignored us at S. Salute (although Pedro did attract some), we were once again stopped by people quite a few times on our walk back.  On the bridge itself, a French photographer took photos of Pedro and then wanted several more shots of the three of us.  Guess we have sort of "arrived"!  I was constantly worried about tripping on the bottom of my cape and falling down some stairs or, worse still, into a canal!  Now, that would have been a real photo op - in the oh so negative sense!  The photographer promised to send us his photos (he hasn't as of yet) so, in the meantime, here are a few we shot.

After that, we went back to the costume market where I'd bought my cape and hat.  Pedro had seen a mask he liked and he ended up buying it.  It is very spectacular and, another time, I think I would like one as dramatic.  We also chatted with Christina, the French gal who had sold me my cape and hat.

Pedro's New Mask

We had intended to see the Parade of Carnevale revellers (in costume) that was to begin at 3 pm near the Accademia bridge and wend its way to P. San Marco.  However, we ran out of time by the time we'd had lunch so had to skip it.  We needed to start packing for our journey home on Friday.  Later, Barry told me there were probably between 400 and 500 costumed people in the parade and that it had been one of his favourite events of Carnival so far.  Guess that is now on my list to see the next time - if I come back here! 

We had bought tickets for a wine tasting in the Dossoduro area for 5:30 that evening.  So, the five us met up (not without John, Pedro and I getting a bit lost - easy to do in the alleyways of Venice) and were joined by an American gal who is living in Shanghai.  We had a good time tasting the four wines served with appetizers and decided to stay for a light dinner.

 

After that, we took a vaporetto from S. Toma to P. San Marco - another thing I love to do at least once at night-time when I am in Venice.  Unfortunately, in spite of how magical and spectacular the scenery was, my photos (probably due to my lack of photography skills!) do not really do it justice.  However, the following give some sort of an idea of how lovely it was.

 

 

We walked through S. San Marco to Faye and Barry's apartment where we enjoyed Vin Santo with some traditional Italian cookies, including some very yummy ones filled with a Limoncello cream. 

 

Then, just like that, our lovely week at Venice Carnevale was over.  We had had a fabulous time, made all the better with the guidance, tutelage and advice from Faye and Barry.  We had such a great time sharing Carnevale with them.

 

 

 Friday, we face the somewhat ugly prospect of getting ourselves back to London.  

Fantasia

This morning, three of us in costume (me in my new red cape) took the very busy vaporetto (the boats were so full that we had to wait for 3 before we could get on one) to Santa Maria Della Salute (aka S. Salute) where there was going to be a costume photo shoot.  I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it.  There were crowds of people in costume and hundreds more taking photos including professional photographers.  I am so impressed by the creativity some people have.  I know I've said that before but it cannot be emphasized enough.  While Pedro, John and I have often been stopped in Piazza San Marco and in the streets and alleys of Venice so that people can take our photos, we were almost invisible at Salute!  Our costumes had nothing on most of the ones there.  It was impossible to know the nationalities of the people wearing them but, from the languages I heard spoken, I would guess the majority were French; however there were also a lot of Germans.  Because many of the "characters" were only posing and not talking, it is difficult to know for sure.  So, with no further ado, here are some of the photos I took.

I've Succombed!

Wednesday we booked tickets to tour Scala Contarini del Bovolo.  Wikipedia says:

The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo (also called the Palazzo Contarini Minelli dal Bovolo) is a small palazzo in Venice best known for its external multi-arch spiral staircase known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (literally, "of the snail").  The palazzo is located in a small, less-travelled calle (street) near Campo Manin, about half-way between Campo San Bartolo, at the foot of the Rialto, and Campo Santo Stefano.  The staircase leads to an arcade, providing an impressive view of the city roof-tops.

 

 Actually, there were a number of photo shoots going on when we were there which made for some interesting pictures.

From there, we walked to a campo (a small square) where there was a costume market.  Now, believe me, when I walked into that square, I had absolutely no intention of buying anything.  However, I spotted this amazing red velvet cape that I fell in love with and I simply had to have it.  Of course, if one owns a red cape, one also needs a hat.  I found one with a red veil that looked quite smashing.  Then came the jabot.  I was set, that is, until later in the afternoon when I spotted a red mask that should work well with it. 

So, in spite of being a bit reluctant to participate enthusiastically in the costuming side of Carnival, I guess I have to admit I am a bit hooked.  Tomorrow, I plan to "try out" my new costume.  If it doesn't work perfectly, at least I can use it at Halloween as "Little Red Riding Hood" or some sinister scarlet witch.  

 

We spent the rest of the day wandering around Venice and doing some souvenir shopping.  Of course, that is pretty easy here.  We walked back to the Rialto where we did something I like to do each time I am in Venice:  have a drink at one of the bars along the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge and just relax and watch the world pass by on the water - taxis, buses (the vaporetti), police boats, DHL delivery boats, private boats, construction barges, etc.  It was interesting to watch all the boats on the canal pull over as soon as they heard the siren of an oncoming ambulance. It is really no different than a regular street on "terra firma".

We had to take a photo of the waiters because they were all dressed up as jesters.  We were served complimentary Frittelle Veneziane alla Crema (Venetian Carnival Fritters with Pastry Cream) which are traditional during the event and disappear the day after it is finished.