We left right after school on Friday afternoon and headed for the border. Only to be stopped, pulled over and told to turn around because I didn´t have an international drivers license. So we did, and Guia, Mara and Martha in the other car turned around as well meeting us at a gas station so we could switch drivers and sneak our way across the border. Mind you, Giuseppe is a bright green with ski racks on the top. Completely inconspicuous, for sure. But there were no guards hanging around during our second pass through so we were in the clear and on our way.
We arrived so late in the evening Friday night at Stacey´s Guest house that we decided to have a simple meal across the walkway at her husbands resturant. He is from the south of Italy so the menu had more of that type of feel. We had a bunch of appetizers consisting of tempura seafood platters and calemari. They all were fantastic and way too much for us to eat, but somehow we polished them off pretty well, along with a bottle of wine.
The next morning we woke up bright and early, having breakfast at the top of the house in her small kitchen that overlooked the rooftops of venice. She was so happy to have American´´s staying with her she had gone out to the super market for breakfast stuff and made a of coffee. I have to say, it made my morning to see Cheerios, or at least a knock off sitting on the counter.
After a leisurely start, we hit the streets heading for San Mark´s square to see the costumes and all the people. The streets were absolutely packed and at times slightly miserable. It is not like the carnivale in New Orleans. People are all really tame and there are kids everywhere dressed in costume, more like Halloween. And the confetti on the streets was unbelievable. It is amazing to think of the clean up after all of the celebrations are done.
What surprised me the most was just walking down the streets were people in full costume, playing the part of earlier years. Couples walking hand in hand, with the man having a walking stick.
This jester was actually posing for an article in a newspaper about the events. There were three other jesters along the canal posing with him.
The people walking down one of the main thoroughfairs of Venice. We stopped a little up to the right for lunch and people watching.
After lunch we were slightly tired of the crowds and decided to catch a water taxi to the island of Murano for a short walk, to purchase more wine stoppers for family, and have a cup of coffee in peace. You have to remember we were traveling with Italians which means we stop for coffee quite often. I am getting accustomed to this and am starting to think it is rather normal.
No matter what I where, when ever we go to Murano I am able tofind a house that is the smae color of the outfit I am wearing. I totally blend in right now, don´t I?
Walking across the bridge in Murano. I love the reflections of the house in the water.
Sunset on Murano
After two bottles of wine, a dance party around a well in the middle of a quiet square and having a devil chase us we decided it was time for masks.
Mara, Allsyon, Martha, Guia, Me and Lizzie
In San Marks Square later in the evening. This women was posing for pictures for some sort of advertisement. I snuck in to grab one for myself because her costume and mutiple masks were fantastic.
This man was standing with three others, equally dressed in slightly freightening outfits. But ver common of what were seeing if people were not dressed in the traditional formal wear.
The whole trip was a great time and such a great group of people. We are planning a nother trip for the spring to get us all back together again.
No comments:
Post a Comment