As you know, just going outside and walking around here — as everywhere, probably — provides all sorts of opportunities to observe the strangeness of people and life.
Let’s take tourists. Yes, they’re back — not millions of them, but a choice assortment. The number is increasing as we approach the launch of the Venice Film Festival next Wednesday, September 2, but I don’t think that has anything to do with the glimpses I’ve had. This is not a screed about tourists, they’re just one part of the summer scenery.
Fun fact (that caption was already too long): I could only say “sprawl,” but there’s a great word in Venetian for what’s he’s doing: stravacar (strah-vah-KAR). It’s based on “vacca,” the Italian word for cow. Hence, lolling about like a cow in the field.
I know nothing about this situation; the clip was forwarded to me by a friend via WhatsApp. My friend says it’s not a joke, and frankly, it’s hard to tell anymore when people are serious and when they’re just fooling around (though the fact that her entire outfit is some shade of pink also deserves notice). It looks like the marinaio who is supervising the boarding is taking her seriously. Using both of his hands to indicate “The boat’s already full” means it’s seriously already full. Too bad we couldn’t have put her on the vaporetto with Hermann and his backpack. I could have taken bets, like at a cockfight.
What was it you said, Erla, “people are amazing, but not always in good ways”, apropos the flamingo woman. 😄
The thing about people, not just tourists, always clogging together at the most awkward place available is really fascinating. Someone should write a dissertation on the subject. People that can’t figure out how to wear a mask 😷 and what the mask is good for is also a puzzle yet to solve.
Lovely pictures and great to hear from you!
Stay safe!
The image of the “Flamingo Woman” will – alas! – stay with me for a long time! I’m still not sure I didn’t imagine it …. hang on, I’ll just pop back and have another look ….. no, I didn’t.
Why young people sit on the ground where Dogs pee [ and Men ] I will never understand .
When I’m 92 [ quite some time from now ] I will go up to them and
give them a slap, but not just now, as I have way to much to loose .
How about a little book of etiquette for tourists ??? to be headed out
to every non-local ?
Ken
Smokey Napa Ca.
Delightful article. I grew up in a cultural-tourism center (the Berkshires), then spent 30+ years working in museums, history museums to be specific, which means more decades in cultural-tourism centers. I know the tourism phenomena so well. I can account for sitting in the street (too few places to sit in museums; though in Venice there is always a handy church); I can understand stepping in poo (gazing upward at the architecture); but I’ve never been able to account for tourists’ sometimes bizarre choices in costume. And believe me, back in the privacy of the employee lunch room, even the most composed museum staff exchange stories and howl with laughter at the clothing they’ve seen. Ultimately, I’m glad they are there, but it’s umm… fascinating… to realize they looked in the mirror and thought about it before heading out the door. 🙂
9 Comments
Cara Erla,
Mi mancha il vicinato! Thanks for another wonderful guided tour.
Owen
As usual, your blog is so articulate and expressive of your love for Venice.
Thanks for letting me see it through your eyes, dear Pal
What was it you said, Erla, “people are amazing, but not always in good ways”, apropos the flamingo woman. 😄
The thing about people, not just tourists, always clogging together at the most awkward place available is really fascinating. Someone should write a dissertation on the subject. People that can’t figure out how to wear a mask 😷 and what the mask is good for is also a puzzle yet to solve.
Lovely pictures and great to hear from you!
Stay safe!
Vojo piu “Meanwhile there’s always this…”. Please.
The image of the “Flamingo Woman” will – alas! – stay with me for a long time! I’m still not sure I didn’t imagine it …. hang on, I’ll just pop back and have another look ….. no, I didn’t.
Why young people sit on the ground where Dogs pee [ and Men ] I will never understand .
When I’m 92 [ quite some time from now ] I will go up to them and
give them a slap, but not just now, as I have way to much to loose .
How about a little book of etiquette for tourists ??? to be headed out
to every non-local ?
Ken
Smokey Napa Ca.
Delightful article. I grew up in a cultural-tourism center (the Berkshires), then spent 30+ years working in museums, history museums to be specific, which means more decades in cultural-tourism centers. I know the tourism phenomena so well. I can account for sitting in the street (too few places to sit in museums; though in Venice there is always a handy church); I can understand stepping in poo (gazing upward at the architecture); but I’ve never been able to account for tourists’ sometimes bizarre choices in costume. And believe me, back in the privacy of the employee lunch room, even the most composed museum staff exchange stories and howl with laughter at the clothing they’ve seen. Ultimately, I’m glad they are there, but it’s umm… fascinating… to realize they looked in the mirror and thought about it before heading out the door. 🙂
Amazing photos! They make me want to visit!
I’m glad you feel that way — I’d be sorry if you didn’t!