Those have traveled overseas know what it is like. If you are lucky enough to get an upgrade, fabulous, but — and this is another of those BIG BUTS — we mere peons usually end up in Cattle Car, albeit upgrading to the extra-leg category. Arnie always chooses an aisle, and I the window. That leaves the coveted middle seat that most people avoid like the proverbial plague, so…
Arnie and I ended up with an empty seat between us, or we did until I rolled myself up into a pretzel and managed to fit myself into a lying-down position. Yippeee!
So, truly red-eyed, we arrived in Frankfurt close to a half hour late, then were told that there was no live body to man the gate. It hasn’t been the first time, and we strongly suspect it will not be the last.
We breezed through customs, then hotfooted it to the other ends of the earth to make our connection to Venice, arriving barely in time to board. Huff, puff, huff, puff. But we did make it.
Alas, as we found when we landed in Venice, neither our luggage nor that of many others made the connection. Ah well. At least baggage claim was efficient and helpful, and we had the whole report processed and on our way in about 20 minutes, our good friend Mattia patiently waiting outside. We had already told our Gentleman from Verona what the situation was, and he has traveled enough to know how it goes.
Into Venice we went and checked into our lovely hotel. A quick washing of face, etc., and we were out on the town. Photographers are rather like hunting dogs. There is no direct route. I would catch some interesting light out of the corner of my eye, and we would stop. Mattia would find something that interested him. And the same, of course, happened to Arnie.
After a long flight, no breakfast worth mentioning, and lack of sleep, it was definitely half-past wine o’clock, and we found one of many little ristorantes on piazzas or campos (two of several versions of open spaces within the city). We had a lovely lunch sitting outside in the warm sun, a great bottle of wine, and off we went again.
These blogs, as you know, will be short, just sharing a few images from the day.
The light on a traditional wooden boat tied up to the front door got all our attention.
I saw this scene and waited for something to happen. The wrong people invaded the scene, and I mentally shoed them away. Finally, this man appeared at the door. Bingo, perfect, and all our shutters clicked away. 
The light, of course, in Venice is beautiful. It bounces into shady walls, and the
moisture in the air creates a gentle misty effect as you look down waterways.
One has to have the obligatory gondola shot, but placement is critical. I gave up many possibilities because the positioning was wrong, the body English not good. Finally patience and perseverence won out.
Mattia, meanwhile, had headed home to Verona, and we had continued to meander the back streets, away from the madding crowd, having coffee alongside Venetians, and generally savoring a city I love.
We ended our day with an amazing dinner at a little restaurant around the corner from our hotel that Mattia often frequents when he is in town. Prosciutto and Melon shared by both of us, Cuttlefish and black ink on Polenta for Arnie, and Carpaccio with Artichoke Hearts for me. For dessert … a White Chocolate Mousse with Pistachio Brittle. Divine! And, of course, a lovely bottle of local wine.
Next: Another day of final scouting and shooting in Venice
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As usual, loving and hating your blog!! Loving the photos, the descriptions, the enticing smells, tastes, light, etc that you illuminate in your blogs. What do I hate? Not being there. Margo, please know that your blogs are always read. I don’t always comment, but always, always read! Avere un tempo meraviglioso!
John,
Thank you for the lovely comment! Yes, we are already having a marvelous time. How could we not?
It is so much fun exploring this or that little street or lane. So many little bridges to cross. Do we care if we get lost? Not really, because one cannot really get lost. Dove e…?
Take care,
TBC
Margo, the images are stunning and I really enjoy your commentary.
On our recent Med cruise we only had one day in Venice. While I made some great images the light was just too harsh. Brenda and I had a great agreement… she shopped for two hours and I went wandering in the back streets photographing then met up for lunch. Could have spent a week there. Hmmm maybe I can find someone who runs a photography workshop in Venice. 🙂
Bill, first, thank you.
The first time I came to Venice, I meandered the back streets in, I think, the late 80s. We have been doing the same thus far, although today, we went to Piazza San Marco and photographed models.
As to that photo workshop … have anyone in mind? 😉
Take care,
TBC