I neglected to include photos of another “ripple effect” of tourism: Most of the fruit and vegetable vendors at the Rialto Market are making ends meet by selling packages of dried pasta-sauce mix. These have somewhat replaced the formerly ubiquitous packages of colored pasta (aquamarine fusilli, etc.), but in any case are aimed at the same public.
No need to say more.
A typical stall at the Rialto Market; at least half the space is dedicated to the pasta-sauce packages. And, like the illegal handbags that once were omnipresent, the packages from stall to stall are exactly the same.Long tubes….… or flat packs, the contents don’t vary. But people like them. Is this a likely gift item for your friends back in Eek, Alaska?It’s like a colored tide has overwhelmed the market, with dried stuff and seasonings instead of algae.People must like them, otherwise there wouldn’t be so much. This was an unknown product until just the past few (three?) years. You could probably create a simple graph delineating the increase of these and tourists, and the decrease of everybody else. I guess you know that you could make virtually the same dish from scratch, and it would taste better. But the packages are indeed very colorful.
I was very fortunate in my first trip to Venice. I met up with one of the alumni from the University where I work, and – happily – he is also food obsessed, like me. He took me on a tour – HIS tour – of the Rialto market, and introduced me to all his favorite purveyors: vegetables, fruits, cheese, salumi, and – most important – his fish monger. By doing so, he skipped over all the tourist-centric vendors, so I (happily) completely missed this aspect of the market. While I am a tourist, I prefer not to think of myself as one… always doing my best to blend in and assimilate. But, of course, everybody knows I’m an American. It’s just something we can’t hide.
That must have been some years ago, because the market is on life-support and one doesn’t know for how long. There are very few fish-mongers left, ditto cheese, ditto fruit and veg and butchers and anyone selling salumi. Your friend would have to give you a very sad tour of the market if you came today, and I’m not sure where he’s doing his shopping now. We have one fruit/vegetable guy there who sells only that (no packages of spaghetti-mix) now there’s only one butcher still in business whose prices are through the roof. As for not thinking of yourself as a tourist, what do you think of yourself as? To me, “blending in and assimilate” is just a nicer way of saying “mind my manners and be interested and enthusiastic about where I am.” As I said, “tourist” now has such pejorative connotations, we need to find a better word for somebody who’s visiting. “Visitor,” maybe?
Erla – this makes me so sad to read. It was such a vibrant market and, yes, it was years ago. Yes, to me the word “tourist” has such negative connotations. I like “visitor” much better. You have it exactly right – being respectful and minding one’s manners is so important. I’ve always thought of assimilating as trying to “look” Italian, when it really is about respect. Notice what people are wearing. Pay attention to traditions. Simply be aware… and quiet. Heading soon to Sicilia with all this in mind.
We’d noticed a bit of that last time that we were in Venice, about Easter, but it looks like a lot more of the “pre-pack” stuff. Probably aimed at all those shoestring tourists trying to make their money go further?? In flats filched from the people who really ought to be living in them?
The Rialto market used to be wonderful, but last time we cut through there it seemed that there were more tourists ( usually taking “selfies” with those long wands waving about, and inane grins on their faces, and usually making some strange two-fingered gesture…..) than shoppers.
We know we’re tourists, and often feel guilty, but Venice is addictive, and we HAVE to go back a couple of times each year…. just for a couple of weeks each time…. Please keep on letting us in, we are very polite, and quiet…..
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I was very fortunate in my first trip to Venice. I met up with one of the alumni from the University where I work, and – happily – he is also food obsessed, like me. He took me on a tour – HIS tour – of the Rialto market, and introduced me to all his favorite purveyors: vegetables, fruits, cheese, salumi, and – most important – his fish monger. By doing so, he skipped over all the tourist-centric vendors, so I (happily) completely missed this aspect of the market. While I am a tourist, I prefer not to think of myself as one… always doing my best to blend in and assimilate. But, of course, everybody knows I’m an American. It’s just something we can’t hide.
That must have been some years ago, because the market is on life-support and one doesn’t know for how long. There are very few fish-mongers left, ditto cheese, ditto fruit and veg and butchers and anyone selling salumi. Your friend would have to give you a very sad tour of the market if you came today, and I’m not sure where he’s doing his shopping now. We have one fruit/vegetable guy there who sells only that (no packages of spaghetti-mix) now there’s only one butcher still in business whose prices are through the roof. As for not thinking of yourself as a tourist, what do you think of yourself as? To me, “blending in and assimilate” is just a nicer way of saying “mind my manners and be interested and enthusiastic about where I am.” As I said, “tourist” now has such pejorative connotations, we need to find a better word for somebody who’s visiting. “Visitor,” maybe?
Erla – this makes me so sad to read. It was such a vibrant market and, yes, it was years ago. Yes, to me the word “tourist” has such negative connotations. I like “visitor” much better. You have it exactly right – being respectful and minding one’s manners is so important. I’ve always thought of assimilating as trying to “look” Italian, when it really is about respect. Notice what people are wearing. Pay attention to traditions. Simply be aware… and quiet. Heading soon to Sicilia with all this in mind.
I’m glad you see it in that light. Be your best you and everybody will be glad you’re there. Have a great trip!
We’d noticed a bit of that last time that we were in Venice, about Easter, but it looks like a lot more of the “pre-pack” stuff. Probably aimed at all those shoestring tourists trying to make their money go further?? In flats filched from the people who really ought to be living in them?
The Rialto market used to be wonderful, but last time we cut through there it seemed that there were more tourists ( usually taking “selfies” with those long wands waving about, and inane grins on their faces, and usually making some strange two-fingered gesture…..) than shoppers.
We know we’re tourists, and often feel guilty, but Venice is addictive, and we HAVE to go back a couple of times each year…. just for a couple of weeks each time…. Please keep on letting us in, we are very polite, and quiet…..
If I don’t even notice that you’re here, or have gone, then you have succeeded in your mission!