Day 11

SATURDAY 7 AUGUST 2010

This morning, Barbara took us to see a shop full of antique weaves - crests, pillows, hangings, costume fabrics, cords - and on the way we passed (or were passed by, rather) a newly wed couple in full wedding garb swishing through the Venice streets. It is tradition for a couple to be wed on a Saturday morning then walk through all of Venice to have their photograph taken with the city's monuments.

The islands are segregated by use: There is a glassworks island initiated in order to prevent city fire by the glass blowing kilns; there is a cemetery island; and there is a lace island with a working lace factory. This is where our group headed.

The waterfront makes me homesick for Maui.

Lace island homes are a technicolor rainbow in white trim. There is not a spot on the place that does not smell of the sea. I want to paint my home this radical and vibrant color scheme. The cherry gelato is decadent. Everything is more expensive on an island.

The intimacy of coffee and tea cups here is giving me an itch to be in the ceramics studio throwing.

ananas =/= bananas, ananas = pineapple

Judith and I walked from the docks at one end of Venice the whole way across to the other side where our hostel is. On the way, we came across a mask making shop with cute paper maché mice. At first, the artist tending shop was standoffish, but when Judith asked how he made his little animals he became lively and opened up. I found him more interesting and beautiful than his work.

Street lamps here are paned with tinted pink glass or creatively decorated with colorful blown glass.

Crema Venetia gelato tastes like all sherbets frozen together and mixed with teeny fruit jelly pieces and crisps/chocolate shavings.