Venizia: a few snapshots

Ornate, ornament, excentric ornamentality: San Marco, pictured at the left, just before sunset. The pink of the streetlamps, the rose of the setting sun's lingering late afternoon light on the Church & adjoining buildings. Already, this luxurious sight seems far. For Doug Stirling & I headed off to Venizia for a long weekend this past weekend, & now what I have left are great photos, better memories & some fabulous souvenirs (in all the sense of that word). For here, I thought I would share a few of my pics from our explorations of the gorgeous island and waters... Perhaps to bring a little ornamentality to your pre-holidays, or invite dreams of future treks to this island of mysteries.

First off, heading out into the night for a Venetian specialty--their local cocktail called a "Spritz" (I found a lovely NYT article about its exportation to elsewhere--read about it here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/06/dining/06spritz.html . As the author explains, the Spritz--which ends up being orange or red--is campari (red) or aperol (orange, and what Doug & I are drinking in the pictures above) + white wine & selzer water. The place we were frequenting also adds some ice, a slice of orange and a large olive on a stick. The olive is peculiar with the sweet, but I dug it. Wish I could stop off for a SPRITZ after work tomorrow!!!!

We rode the boat-bus up and down the Grande Canale from our Hotel near Ferrovia to the Piazza San Marco & many other stops. We also walked it many a time--but the boat was in and of itself a little adventure where we took tons of gorgeous photos of gondoliers...

There is perhaps no tourist-track path in Venizia without its mask shop or mask maker. Of course, most are run of the mill, with their charm for us banal tourists, but there are some spectacular handmade mask shops which I am sure really shine round Carnivale time. For us, it was just a time to admire & consider masks as Christmas gifts...
One of my favorite things was to look into the brightly lit shops after dark. To see regular people & tourists buying breads and cheeses & many other wonderful tasty items. Here are a few shots spying into shops! Of course, this is also because Doug & I were often found giving into our sweet tooth! And who wouldn't? With finely chocolate-layered nougat, pastriies, & many other sweets--from chocolates to almond & amaretto goodies--to tempt us. Here are just a few images of those--note the Christmas cakes are out! And the candied chestnuts, too. In the last of these 3 pics of sweets, see the mini cannoli--this was my favorite! Just a little, not too much! Sunsets are nothing but spectacular when you are by the sea. And to combine sea & the Venetian architcture was like an opera set ondulating between cloud and waves. So, to end, a closing day, then a little moon over Venizia. It is likely there right now. And of course night fog & dark bridges through winding streets as someone else wends their way home to their hotel room--& I return to my work!