I’m down to the holiday wire, sending this out on Christmas Eve, but as I race to finish the dusting (which I had about five months to accomplish) and Lino is wrangling the canoce (Squilla mantis) into pasta sauce and antipasto nibbles, I thought I would send a few Christmasy images from here.
Heartfelt best wishes to everyone for the end of 2020 and all of 2021.
Christmas fish-traps at the Rialto market. A festive sight for everybody, except the fish.There are so few gondolas to be seen in the canals — phalanxes of them have remained at their moorings for weeks on end — that this brave little red bow stood out like the brightest beacon of the holiday spirit.The good news was that it was probably the last day of school before the Christmas vacation. The bad news, obviously, was that it was so much earlier in the morning than he would have liked. Having his father nearby to haul his backpack clearly wasn’t enough.This was edgy — the bright sparks at Nevodi Pizzalab decided to create gifts-of-the-Magi pizza. They sound pretty good, but I’m uneasy that there may be something in the fine print of the catechism that would label this blasphemy. I just don’t know….. (Peperoni here are not spicy sausages, but bell peppers.)And speaking of the fish market, on Saturday there are also flowers there. It’s a little uncanny how she designed her shopping to complement her cart. Or vice versa.Sunrise always lifts my spirits, and I hope it does the same for yours. I have not done anything to the color here — this is how it was.
For those of us who miss Venice, and those of me who miss you, Erla, this post is both heart warming and heart breaking. Time is not exactly on my side anymore, but I deeply wish to be having a coffee or ten with you in 2021. Salute, e un abbraccio!
Best wishes for Christmas, and thank you for another year of keeping us in touch by your pictures, with the Venice we know and miss so much. We do value the images and your comments greatly.
I love Venice and I want to wish you a Merry Holiday & a Happy New Year and I want to thank you for your wonderful posts. I love your photos and the candid shots walking around the city. Touches my heart, and brings me much joy! Such mixed feelings: Venice is awesome without the cruise ships and way too many tourists, truly serine – but it only stays alive because of all the madness. Hopefully it will find a good balance for everyone again. Cheers from a California girl who wishes she was there!
Erla, Merry Christmas to you and Lino. The sunrise picture is awesome, not often one gets to see a unique picture of Venice like that. Big hopes for a better 2021!
All the best to you, Vern, for 2021. Glad you liked that sunrise picture, I was astonished to see it looking like that! Stay well, and please come back.
Hello-
I so enjoy hearing your story- about moving into- and now living in a world I’ve dreamed of visiting for so very long- I only have been able to travel thru the recollections of another-I nursed a 90 year old opera singer thru her final days- her home was filled w her travels and photos- and she shared them w me- and although she had traveled the world -she loved Venice, it’s people, the most very best- she brought Venice- all of it to life for me w her stories- I so hope one day to visit- and I make careful mental notes so if I ever am able to do so- I’m a gracious grateful guest who hopefully is welcome and very much not a rude tourist interloper invading your lovely city-
Best wishes and hopes for your New Year
Be safe
C
How wonderful to hear that your opera singer loved Venice so much, and that she shared some of her undoubtedly amazing memories of her time here. (I’d have loved to hear them also.) Believe me, if you’re a person who’s concerned about not being rude, you’re not a rude person. Come and discover your own Venice that you can share with somebody else! Thanks so much for writing, and all the best for 2021 to you. Stay well!
Owen, you have expressed my feelings just perfectly, thank you. Aren’t we lucky to have this lady in our lives. She brings Venice to us when we just can’t be there.
I do you that time permits you to get back for that coffee with Erla.
Thank you SO MUCH for all your posts! You are one of the few things that have helped me brave this year. It has been a little over a year since I was last in Venice, and I ache to book a trip the minute we are allowed back in Italy. (I daydream of meeting you and bringing flowers or meeting you for a cappuccino, even!) All good wishes for you and your family in 2021!
I agree about the sunrises. It’s always good to see that the sun actually DID rise once again. I am happy that, even very gradually, the days are lengthening once, too. I am grateful, and that helps me stay positive, too. Thanks for your always lovely posts!
Thanks dear Erla, for the awesome pix and text. We appreciate the gift that your skills provide to readers worldwide. Best to you & Lino. Buon Natale from Tim & Jean Mc. in Virginia. May your 2021 be blessed!
How lovely to see your series of photos – especially the sunrise. We need to think in terms if a new beginning here, and a post-pandemic, post-Trump world.
Thank you for the wonderful images and regular updates on Venetian life. I look forward to them always. Hope you and yours have a Wonderful Christmas and I look forward to the days when we can return to enjoy your wonderful city once more.
Thank you Erla, for your Christmas tidbits. And all the moments from Venice that you share with us. It is very appreciated. Hopefully in 2021 will will be able to experience Venice ourselves once more. All the love of the season to you and your family.
All the best wishes for a merry Christmas to you and Lino. May this awful year soon be behind us an we could meet again, dare I say “as usual”. Stay safe and and well, my friends. Your pictures and stories are really lovely.
Whether the pizzas are heretical or not I leave for wiser men to decide but I sure get a bit peckish. I’ll maybe try to recreate the “myrrh” later.
Bon Nadal from your friends in Solna.
What wonderful pictures! Thank you so much for all of them thru this difficult last year. You have been a beacon of light to so many. And of course we love all your comments. You are just the best!
Our love and best Christmas and New Year wishes to you and Lino!
Rita and Bruce
Thank you so very much Erla, through your blog you have brought joy to our hearts and soothed our souls during this year that has marked us all. This last post was a sweet reminder of Venice during the holiday season, it was our favorite time to be there Christmas to Epiphany, such colors in the sky at sunset and the lovely lights of St. Mark’s Square… ah the memories! Tim and I send our best wishes from Valencia, Spain to you and Lino in Venice for a 2021 filled with joyful moments, happy occasions and much laughter.
Thank you so very much. We all need to nurture our happy memories while planning for new ones. I imagine Valencia is in a similar lockdown (or close to it) situation, but I trust you all are staying safe and well. Happiest of holidays to you!
“Overwhelmed with acclaim”?? You’ll just have to get used to it.
All of us fans love your writing skill, warmth, humor, wisdom,
Humility, and unique perceptions.
)shall I go on?)
Happy that you are back. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Mine was a different celebration as it was for many people I’m sure. Here’s hoping 2021 will be better. My best wishes for the New Year.
Dian
32 Comments
As always, lovely photographs.
Thank you
For those of us who miss Venice, and those of me who miss you, Erla, this post is both heart warming and heart breaking. Time is not exactly on my side anymore, but I deeply wish to be having a coffee or ten with you in 2021. Salute, e un abbraccio!
I’ll keep the pot on the stove ready for you.
Merry Christmas Erla, ahh for some canoce! Lucky you.
Lino says that when you come the next time he’ll fix some canoce for you in the very best way!
Best wishes for Christmas, and thank you for another year of keeping us in touch by your pictures, with the Venice we know and miss so much. We do value the images and your comments greatly.
I love Venice and I want to wish you a Merry Holiday & a Happy New Year and I want to thank you for your wonderful posts. I love your photos and the candid shots walking around the city. Touches my heart, and brings me much joy! Such mixed feelings: Venice is awesome without the cruise ships and way too many tourists, truly serine – but it only stays alive because of all the madness. Hopefully it will find a good balance for everyone again. Cheers from a California girl who wishes she was there!
Erla, Merry Christmas to you and Lino. The sunrise picture is awesome, not often one gets to see a unique picture of Venice like that. Big hopes for a better 2021!
All the best to you, Vern, for 2021. Glad you liked that sunrise picture, I was astonished to see it looking like that! Stay well, and please come back.
Hello-
I so enjoy hearing your story- about moving into- and now living in a world I’ve dreamed of visiting for so very long- I only have been able to travel thru the recollections of another-I nursed a 90 year old opera singer thru her final days- her home was filled w her travels and photos- and she shared them w me- and although she had traveled the world -she loved Venice, it’s people, the most very best- she brought Venice- all of it to life for me w her stories- I so hope one day to visit- and I make careful mental notes so if I ever am able to do so- I’m a gracious grateful guest who hopefully is welcome and very much not a rude tourist interloper invading your lovely city-
Best wishes and hopes for your New Year
Be safe
C
How wonderful to hear that your opera singer loved Venice so much, and that she shared some of her undoubtedly amazing memories of her time here. (I’d have loved to hear them also.) Believe me, if you’re a person who’s concerned about not being rude, you’re not a rude person. Come and discover your own Venice that you can share with somebody else! Thanks so much for writing, and all the best for 2021 to you. Stay well!
Also, Lino says that we’re waiting for you (I translated your comments for him) and will do everything to help you “live” the city as we do!
What a nice reminder that Venice is still unique and beautiful.
I love it more and more seeing it through your eyes.
Your Pal
Color me smiling at your colourful post.Best wishes for a grand Christmas!
Owen, you have expressed my feelings just perfectly, thank you. Aren’t we lucky to have this lady in our lives. She brings Venice to us when we just can’t be there.
I do you that time permits you to get back for that coffee with Erla.
Erla, thanks to you and Lino for keeping Venice alive and kicking in our hearts, especially this year when we can’t visit ourselves.
Thank you SO MUCH for all your posts! You are one of the few things that have helped me brave this year. It has been a little over a year since I was last in Venice, and I ache to book a trip the minute we are allowed back in Italy. (I daydream of meeting you and bringing flowers or meeting you for a cappuccino, even!) All good wishes for you and your family in 2021!
Great words and photographs again, Erla. Best to you and Lino for Christmas and, as you say, a better 2021.
I agree about the sunrises. It’s always good to see that the sun actually DID rise once again. I am happy that, even very gradually, the days are lengthening once, too. I am grateful, and that helps me stay positive, too. Thanks for your always lovely posts!
Thanks dear Erla, for the awesome pix and text. We appreciate the gift that your skills provide to readers worldwide. Best to you & Lino. Buon Natale from Tim & Jean Mc. in Virginia. May your 2021 be blessed!
How lovely to see your series of photos – especially the sunrise. We need to think in terms if a new beginning here, and a post-pandemic, post-Trump world.
HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS. XXXXX
RUTH
Thank you for the wonderful images and regular updates on Venetian life. I look forward to them always. Hope you and yours have a Wonderful Christmas and I look forward to the days when we can return to enjoy your wonderful city once more.
Thank you Erla, for your Christmas tidbits. And all the moments from Venice that you share with us. It is very appreciated. Hopefully in 2021 will will be able to experience Venice ourselves once more. All the love of the season to you and your family.
All the best wishes for a merry Christmas to you and Lino. May this awful year soon be behind us an we could meet again, dare I say “as usual”. Stay safe and and well, my friends. Your pictures and stories are really lovely.
Whether the pizzas are heretical or not I leave for wiser men to decide but I sure get a bit peckish. I’ll maybe try to recreate the “myrrh” later.
Bon Nadal from your friends in Solna.
Oh Sweet Erla:
What wonderful pictures! Thank you so much for all of them thru this difficult last year. You have been a beacon of light to so many. And of course we love all your comments. You are just the best!
Our love and best Christmas and New Year wishes to you and Lino!
Rita and Bruce
– Er, do you get the feeling that we all appreciate you very greatly?
I’m really kind of overwhelmed by so much enthusiasm and appreciation. Thanks to everybody!!
Thank you so very much Erla, through your blog you have brought joy to our hearts and soothed our souls during this year that has marked us all. This last post was a sweet reminder of Venice during the holiday season, it was our favorite time to be there Christmas to Epiphany, such colors in the sky at sunset and the lovely lights of St. Mark’s Square… ah the memories! Tim and I send our best wishes from Valencia, Spain to you and Lino in Venice for a 2021 filled with joyful moments, happy occasions and much laughter.
Thank you so very much. We all need to nurture our happy memories while planning for new ones. I imagine Valencia is in a similar lockdown (or close to it) situation, but I trust you all are staying safe and well. Happiest of holidays to you!
“Overwhelmed with acclaim”?? You’ll just have to get used to it.
All of us fans love your writing skill, warmth, humor, wisdom,
Humility, and unique perceptions.
)shall I go on?)
Happy that you are back. I hope you had a lovely Christmas. Mine was a different celebration as it was for many people I’m sure. Here’s hoping 2021 will be better. My best wishes for the New Year.
Dian