"This was Venice, the flattering and suspect beauty this city, half fairy tale and half tourist trap......" ~ Thomas Mann (1875-1955)

On February 27, Team Pinkoski went to Venice to take part in Carnevale festivities. "The Flight of the Angel" is an annual event dating back forever. I've read different dates, but it's been at least 400 years. The Angel ziplines from the San Marco bell tower to the center of Piazza San Marco. The Angel meets the Doge (as near as I can tell, the Doge serves in a role like the Rex at Mardi Gras) and Carnevale begins! In the 1700's, an Angel fell to his death and for the centuries to follow, the part of "The Angel" was fulfilled by a mannequin or other suitable substitute. Real people serving in the role as "The Angel" has only recently been reintroduced. While Carnevale is a great time, it is not a great time to see historic museums and sites. We will go back another time to see those. The thing to do while in Venice during Carnevale is to enjoy Carnevale. The costumes are amazing and the actors who wear them play their parts well. They stroll around the City posing for photographs and don't speak when performing, relying on exaggerated hand gestures. (You can insert a little snicker about Italians being VERY good at communicating with hand gestures here. I'm part Sicilian on my mom's side. I can take it.). It was irresistible to capture the humor in these two actors in white and gold talking on their cell phones while strolling through the crowd. A little glimpse through a fracture in the character's veneer to the modern people within. Or maybe they were just on a break.









Italians adore small children. Danica attracts quite a bit of attention any time we are in public, but she was especially popular at Carnevale. Several times throughout the day, strangers asked if they could take her photograph. We met a very nice British couple who snapped a few photos of Danica while she was having her face painted. Two Italian grandmas made a big fuss. Ronnie's dragon mask and Samantha's face paint butterfly were also attention-getters, as well.









The crowd was not this dense all day long, but it was close.









Venice has quintessential features that can be appreciated in spite of Carnevale crowds.
When you think of Venice, you think of -

Gondolas...

(gondolas are for tourists)







Canals...







Narrow Streets...







Water taxi....
Water taxis are for unsuspecting tourists who will find themselves significantly lighter in the pocket afterwards. If you visit on your own some day, take the water bus.





and of course, the amazing art of the Basilica San Marco.


















Next post, a quick trip to the top of Monte Berico here in Vicenza.

As usual, the slide show is here......



Ciao!

P.S. The local artists do not usually allow photos of the masks. I think it's so their designs are not copied. I don't know how Ron got away with taking the photo of the masks without a loud scolding by the merchant.