Saturday 17 May 2014

Venice Journal (Part one of I don't know how many!)

When I was very young, less than 7, we had a jig-saw and we all sat around the table as a family and completed it together. There was green water, there were boats and poles and men in striped sweaters and arched windows with blinds.. it was Venice.

50-odd years later..last week... I got to visit the jigsaw puzzle picture. It did not disappoint.
How can I begin to describe the impact it had on me? Its as different and magical as anywhere I've been, but then, I'm not that well traveled.

Let the photos commence!
Its been a tough job whittling them down to these 'few'

From the airport we took a bus to the Vaporetto stop, and immediately the magic of Venice was upon us as the water bus took us a few stops along the Grand Canal to our stop at the Rialto Market where we were met by our apartment manager.


 After checking into our apartment we went to the nearest square and joined in with what seemed to be a Saturday special of fried seafood and wine .


 Strolling through the streets we saw lots of dogs of all shapes and sizes. I liked this scene as two passed each other.


 Then a sit down and our first  prosecco.


 In the evening we strolled some more in pursuit of yet more food. 


 Here's the food I had...potato gnocchi with crab and asparagus. 


 Very delicious. In Osteria Al Ponte. Lovely atmosphere. Lovely food. Great welcome.


Now I, being a Catholic, and always going to Sunday Mass when on Holiday, took the opportunity to go to mass at St Marks. The queue to get in snaked its away around the square. We were a bit late so running up to the guard on the entrance I just said 'mass?" and was told 'Side entrance'.  

Well..I can honestly say I have never had so much trouble concentrating on the actual service. The surroundings are amazing. Mosaic everywhere. Although having said that I did find it a very spiritual experience despite only having found the English text after it was over.


 After mass there was plenty of time to have look round and if you don't count the collection it was free!


Every detail of the building is amazing. The marble floors are intricate and beautiful.


 Other parts of the floor...not so good! My husband said 'the lion of St Mark on the mats looks like a teddy bear.' I have to agree. I did spot it whilst going up for communion .


 Outside, the buildings in the square are just as spectacular and if you look up you don't see the hundreds and hundreds of tourists.(.I know, we were two of them.)


 The cafes in the piazza are by all accounts very expensive and we looked on as the 'wealthy' sat drinking and listening to the jolly little orchestra.


 and waiters flew around whisking trays above their heads.


 Little chubby lions stood guard, patiently enduring children and some adults leaping on their backs for photographs, 


while other creatures, flatter creatures conversed on the walls.


St Theodore looked on from above with his crocodile.


From there we strolled along towards the Castello and Arsenale area.
It was quieter away from St Marks and we enjoyed just mooching about through almost empty Sunday streets along the canals.


 I can't guarantee that all these pictures were taken on that walk and in that area...it really was all a blaze of 'scenes' to me.


 Who would have thought that a window box full of succulents could be so decorative?



We suddenly came upon a park in the centre of which was a monument to Garibaldi rising out of a small pond.

I don't speak Italian but I have a feeling that this poster suggest it may be a bad idea to dispose of turtles in the pond as they grow to enormous sizes.


Just look at the range of greens on these doors.



  Lines of washing were strung across some of the canals in this quiet area,


 More shades of green.


I just love the colours in this picture.



Even the doorbells are different.



Throughout our trip we travelled through little winding streets and passed hundreds of shops.
Hundreds of shops selling glass, masks, hand marbled paper, pens, bags, of course, anything a city usually has to offer and lots more.

The glove shop. Nothing else just gloves.




A cheese shop.


A dress shop


 A carnival costume shop


 Marzipan goldfish anyone?


 Pig shaped salami anyone?


 Not forgetting one of many huge-pizza shops.


On Sunday evening we dined at La Madonna I didn't enjoy my meal as much as the night before but the dessert was fab-u-lous. Zabaiglione ice cream! They had only a little as it had been for a special occasion and it was amazing. 
These three came in and played all around and then we realised they were the same three who played every morning in the street outside our apartment! Same tunes every day.



So I think it might be a good time to finish this part of the Venice trip and have part two later! I'm sure no-one will want to read much more. If you have done, thanks for reading this far.

26 comments:

mim said...

I went to Venice 7 years ago after a long wait too and I remember still walking out of the railway station and seeing the Grand Canal, I could have cried it was so beautiful!
Margaret x

Robin Mac said...

I am happy for you to have parts 2, 3 & 4 as well just to keep seeing all those wonderful photos of Venice. You obviously had a fabulous time. Cheers

Unknown said...

Great post. Can't wait for more. Think of all that creative inspiration for your art.

vintagerockchick said...

I visited Venice for a day as part of a cruise 7 or 8 years ago, and your wonderful post makes me want to go for longer. I look forward to the next posts, and also to possible orange and royal blue velvet stitching, inspired by the photo of your first dinner x

Unknown said...

Hi - I went to Venice for Carnivale this year - loved it too and came back with over 900 photos but now don't know what to do with them!! so inspirational.

Gina said...

What a wonderful holiday. I was there over twenty years ago and it was the most magical experience so your post has taken me right back. I admit to being a tad envious but so pleased you had a lovely time.

Heather said...

It was fascinating and your photos illustrate perfectly what a beautiful city it is. You must have a head full of inspiration for more gorgeous colour combinations. I look forward to parts 2 and ......?!

Magical Stitchery Tour said...

Mum and Dad are planning a trip and I know they'll find your posts fascinating! I won't be joining them but am loving hearing about yor adventure- keep it coming! xx

Gilly Tee said...

We did a short break in Venice about 10 years ago and Loved it. I have to admit we did spend £10 on 2 cups of coffee just to say we had drunk coffee in St Marks Square. Love the photos.
Gillx

Sue Krekorian said...

This post is making me utterly heart-sick for Venice. We somehow managed to miss St Marks when we were there in 2006, and what you have shared makes it essential to return. How gorgeous!

ElizabethR said...

Wow your photo's are fabulous, keep them comming! It's somewhere I haven't been to yet, and can't wait till I do! St Marks looks amazing, and after all those blue and green doors, I can imagine what you will be making lol. Elizabeth x

jinxxxygirl said...

Oh not to worry i love to read about travels..... travels i wish i were taking. :) Love the idea that each shop specializes in one thing. That should make them the best at what they do. And i have to say those pizzas look amazing!! :) Glad you are back safe and sound and look forward to seeing and hearing more! Hugs!deb

Rachel said...

I'm longing to get to Venice, so it's always good to see someone else's pictures - it might hold me till I get there...!

Miriam Weaver said...

I can't wait for the next episode Jackie, it looks like a wonderful place. Your photographs are lovely I especially like the green doors!

Jayne said...

What a fantastic holiday you had. The images are amazing, such a beautiful city. I look forward to part two. I can see lots and lots of inspiration for your work and look forward to seeing what you create next x

scrapdemon said...

You obviously had a great time. We were in Venice a few years ago and really enjoyed it - we intend going back when time allows. Love the photographs too - lots of greens for future pieces?

Carol said...

Fantastic Jackie! wish I were with you! Some of it brings back memories...

Terri said...

Thanks for the trip - I'm really enjoying it. Please don't forget to take us along the rest of the way.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Thank you for letting us all share these wonderful sites.

FilzGarten said...

Lovely glimpses of a lovely city! I enjoyed reading it and like your pictures!

V.E. (Wales) said...

What a lovely opportunity to re-charge your batteries. Love the colour palette of the 'doors' photo and the vibrant blue gondolas... might these translate well into velvet and felt?? Venice would probably be 'inspiration overload' for me.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Venice is a place I will never get to visit, but now I feel I have. Thank you, and I'm waiting anxiously to see some more!

Tami @ Lemon Tree Tales said...

What gorgeous pictures! When I was 20/21 I lived in Venice on the Lido as an exchange student. I took classes at the university and took the vaporetto from the Lido to Piazza San Marco most days. It was a glorious experience and your photos have brought back some delightful memories. Glad you had fun!

FeltersJourney said...

Great pictures, it sounds like you had a magical time! Thanks for sharing your trip :)
x

silverpebble said...

Can I say how glamorous and lovely you look in these photos?

I love pictures of people's dinners as you well know. How divine those plates of food look.

I have a question - Murano! Did you go? Oh!

Kathleen said...

Wonderful pictures of Venice. You look happy and beautiful, you must be having a great time. I can't wait to see what you create as a result of your trip.



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