Paris I knew and loved well;
Florence was so beautiful that I want to spend a week next year there;
Rome was so big and so much to see that I want to spend a fortnight in Rome next year.
Now Venice; Venice was different, within a few hours I had fallen head over heels for her; so much so that I sent Anja a text asking her to go round my house and pick up the cat as I was taking early retirement and staying in Venice.
It's hard to describe Venice, the best I can do is show you a small sample of the many photos that I took today and let you judge for yourself.
This is the site that greeted me as I walked out of the station this morning. Like most train stations there was a line of taxis waiting to pick up arriving passengers. Only no vehicles are allowed (or possible) in the centre of Venice. So instead they have water taxis or failing that, the guy in the orange hi-vis vest who will trundle your luggage to your hotel, ringing his bell as he fights through the crowds. He offered to help me but my hotel was only four minute's walk away.
This is the same scene, showing some of the taxis.
Some of the beautiful gondolas next to the station.
One of the bridges next to the station with a beautiful wooden water taxi passing underneath.
This is one of the many hundreds of passages connecting Venice. I could barely fit in it. Anyone taller than me would be crouched down.
This picture makes me wonder how many of the gondoliers actually bang their heads on the low bridges.
I think what makes Venice work for me is all these beautiful reflections you see everywhere you go, especially when you have such blue skies like today.
It's not just the amount of bridges; it's the variety, they are so individual.
And then you have this one. This bridge just leads into someone's house.
Another example of Venice's beautiful reflections. Imagine waking up each morning, looking out your window and seeing this scene.
Venice's water taxis are no different from taxis around the world. You wait hours for a taxi and then a bunch turn up together.
After a heavy meal and a well-deserved rest I went out near sunset to catch the light. This photo is so like a painting that I can understand why painters over the centuries kept coming back to Venice.
The light was just starting to go when I came across someone photographing their partner and I noticed her reflection (again with the reflections!).
If you like masks and even if it isn't carnival time then come to Venice; this shop sells nothing but masks.
What could be more romantic than being in a Gondola at sunset with your partner. I noticed that the gondolier's hat is in the boat; did a low bridge knock it off?
In this scene an ambulance boat is rushing someone to hospital and gondolas are having to pull over to make way. Police and ambulance boats are the only ones in Venice that can break the speed limit. The speed limit is there to protect the buildings from water damage.
I love this scene with the barber's poles in the water.
The bell tower in St Mark's square. You can just see the crescent moon to the right of the tower.
Now what could be more romantic than this scene? Gondolas gently rocking with the waves, a beautiful sunset and the moon above.
Another view of the bell tower with people sitting in outdoor cafes being served by uniformed waiters eager and willing to help you shed a few pounds (or Euros)
But this is more my scene; an inexpensive ristorante in a lovely canal side setting. Did I mention reflections?
Well this has been the end of a beautiful day, you can probably see why I want to stay. In fact I might just cancel the rest of the trip and keep posting these beautiful photos until you all come over here and join me.
Good night.
Anyone taller than you might hit their head? So you mean everyone? Because you're short.
ReplyDeleteThere's something about reflections isn't there? My favorite in these photos is the ambulance. It looks like a watercolor. Then there are the bridges...
ReplyDelete