Creepy Gondoliers and Other Things

As I have been here for a few days now, reserving judgment of all things Venetian, I have come to form some opinions, observations and the like.  First off, I think the gondolier dudes are creepy.  Every time I have seen one he is either doing some form of air gyration or grabbing his crotch with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth.  And it wasn't just one...these are different men at different bridges waiting to sucker people in.  And I think the shirts are a little "Where's Waldo"-ish.  I am of the opinion that the gondolier ride is highly overpriced, kinda cheesy, and not very romantic.  It may just be my state of mind, I'm not sure.  But it is not something I will be spending any money on.  I told the kids that will be something special they can save for their significant others when they are grown up.  Since they are coming all over the world with me, I need to leave some things for them to experience for the first time with them.  Gracie is a little peeved but she is just going to have to get over it. 

Next observation.  The Nigerian fake purse sellers are obnoxious.  There is a little stretch we have to walk by to get to the hotel and there are like 10 of them and they are PUSHY...They hover and keep saying, "Lady, hey lady, lady, you want a purse?"  No, I do not thank you very much and if I did it wouldn't be a knock-off Louis Vuitton.  I don't even really like the real ones. (Except this one my friend April has...xoxo)  

My opinion for the day.  Venice feels very different from Rome.  Rome feels ancient and yet alive...like the ghosts of the past are still very much present and a part of what is happening there.  Venice feels almost like a copy-cat.  Like it came to the game late.  It has it's own beauty and history to be sure but it feels current.  Maybe it is because it is full of tourists.  I know I am one too, but I'm different...right?  It almost feels stuffy...as in arrogant.  I know it was all part of the great Roman Empire but it most definitely has it's own personality.

Onto today's activities.  Major cool stuff we did.  First thing we did was walk over the Rialto Bridge and into the Pescheria and open air market.  I loved this.  This is where the locals are.  All the old nonnas and nonnos out for fresh food for the day.  They had their little pushcarts and knee highs on.  The men were finely dressed in their slacks and button downs.  Everyone is speaking Italian and weighing their items and counting their coins.  This is the the Italy that lives in your dreams.  Here's some pics...

 

There are about 30 different stands to choose from.  This was just two of them.

This is one of the items sold at the pescharia.  Fresh snail.  Ewww...can't get much more fresh than alive.

These crabs were alive too and kept crawling onto the fish next to them. 



Negotiating...

We chose fresh strawberries and cherries then headed over to the little meat market for some sliced soppressata.  They spoke no English in there so I had to practice sign language with the piccolo Italiano I know.  Over to the fresh pane (bread) shop and we had ourselves a little breakfast spread to take to the park.  I conducted my first entirely Italian business transaction in that bread shop.  I'll never forget it.  I was so proud of myself.  Here's what I said..."Tre cannoli alla crema e due ciambella per favore".  After she gave it all to me I, of course, said "Grazie!"  So cool...

Not that they would ever say it out loud but I think the kids are getting into this whole thing.  It was their suggestion to wait to eat until we walked allllll the way to the other end of town to get to the park. 

                                                 Jake looks silly but he enjoyed the food.

After breakfast we headed over on the water taxi to the island of Murano, the home of Murano Glass.  In 1291, the government of Venice decreed that all glass blowing be moved to Murano island.  Some say this was so that Venice could hold the monopoly on this money making enterprise.  The other reason is because it was a huge fire hazard and one stray flame could burn the entire island of Venice to the ground.  From that point on all the secrets from generation to generation were developed and remain on the island.  

It is a much quieter island with canals that are a bit larger than in Venice.  I forgot that it was Saturday and the manufacturing plants would be closed.  But...we totally lucked out.  We were given the most amazing tour of a glass store and a personal demonstration of the glass making process.  Jake even got to blow the glass himself!  This was a once in a lifetime thing and will always be one of the highlights of the trip. 

 The sand is placed in this furnace which burned at 2100 degrees.  The master glass blower dips the end of the pole in and grabs a big blob of glass and begins the process.  Jake got to play apprentice.  I love that my son will just jump right in and try new things.

Here is the finished product of our demonstration

I couldn't take any pictures inside the store but believe me when I say this is some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have ever seen.  It is amazing that the only material used is sand.  Here's one more pic of some crazy things that can be done.  I suppose the only limit would be your imagination.

After that we just strolled along the water's edge and got our daily dose of gelato. 

Last observation of the day and my own little profundity.  As I look around at the majority of the people around me they are older.  Most of them are retired and have probably dreamed of coming here their whole lives.  As I walk hand in hand with my daughter and my arm around my son I realize just how blessed I am.  The thought that keeps coming to my mind is that you never know if you'll make to retirement.  You never know what kinds of events will happen in your life that will change the course of it.  You may not make it to retirement.  So enjoy it now.  And whether you ever get to come to Italy or not, enjoy every minute of wherever you are.