It has been snowing the last two days in Vicenza therefore indoors safe and dry is where I am staying. I have been blessed with perfect timing even with the weather (knock wood) in that I have had sunny afternoons to explore. My host Denis has been a fantastic tour guide. I have seen things that I never would have seen on my own and as we went here and there even villas usually closed to the public have spontaneously opened for us to wander their grounds.
Friday afternoon I went into the old city on my own to visit several of the museums. Later in the evening guests were invited to the apartment for dinner. What a lovely evening of laughter and good food. I did some muscle testing demonstrations which got my host even more curious so last night we had another small gathering. We started earlier so that I could give a little informal class. "You have been in my house for four days and only now you are showing me this?" haaaaa Well...you have been teaching me. Now it is my turn to share what I know. Let's have fun. And it was a great deal of fun.
But backing up again... Saturday was a fantastic day. I was awoken to the shutters being raised and a loud "GOOD MORNING AMERICA! TIME TO WAKE UP. WE HAVE A ROMANTIC TOUR TODAY. YOU HAVE ONE HALF HOUR TO GET READY." That's quick. I washed my face, downed an espresso got my contact lenses in and we were off to see Romeo's Castle and its neighbor's Juliet's. What a gorgeous day for touring. The views were stunning from atop Juliet''s Castle. Although it is winter here it is still beautiful. In the spring it must be simply intoxicating.
SERENDIPITA' was the Italian word of the day = SERENDIPITY. Denis received a call on his cell phone from an old friend who extended to us an invitation for lunch. We were to go to a private home in Padova en route back to Vicenza but we were finished at the castles much earlier.
“And there upon he drew a dial from his poke and looking on it with lack-lustre eye says very wisely, 'It is ten o'clock: Thus we may see', quoth he, 'how the world wags: 'Tis but an hour ago since it was nine and after one hour more 'twill be eleven; And so from hour to hour we ripe and ripe, And then from hour to hour we rot and rot.”
(Sorry - wrong Shakespeare play but my favorite piece to recite.)
We had some spare time and were simply driving on a street in back of a wonderful villa and... the gate was open. We parked and went in, chatted with the caretaker and we were allowed to wander at will. It was so lovely. Thank you gods of chance. Once again you have opened the doors and gates to earthly heavens.
At Denis's friend's home there were more delights. I would love to post several photos of this beautiful property but there simply isn't space. I was in Joy Joy with the fellows cooking together, sharing wonderful wine, telling stories and engaging in conversation and (ha) tasting grappa. I was glad that I was not the one driving back to Vicenza. Those raisins after steeping for along time in alcohol can give you a sweet "relaxed" feeling especially after a delicious lunch. (We had sauteed dandelion greens among other flavorful delicacies.)
Later in the afternoon two other couchsurfers arrived for only one night. The young women were friends living in Ireland yet one was an Italian from the north and the other from Misiones, Argentina. It was so much fun to speak in castellano again and laugh all together. We bundled ourselves up and Denis guided us through the old city so that we could see it at night. The Basilica was breathtaking. In the morning I applied my carnival mask make up, said goodbye to the girls and headed off to Venice for the day blessed with the last day of FULL SUN. 
Venice was PACKED with people. It was incredible. I had been warned that it would not be the time for taking photos of the city because there would be way too many people there. The warnings held true so although I was tempted to walk the side streets to capture scenes of the buildings and canals my wiser practical side of my brain said, "NO - there will be so many costumes and fantastic masks. Save the camera battery. Follow the crowd to Piazza San Marco and shoot!" OK! Maybe it wasn't the more practical part of my mind. Maybe it was the ancient one that has commanded my shutter finger and photographic eye. I let the crowd suck me in and we went in mass through the small side streets in procession to the square. It was stupendous. I am a great lover of costuming formerly having three sewing machines, a dress dummy and bolts and bags of fabric. I used to spend joyous hours, even days creating in the spare studio room of my house. All those things are now gone as I am a nomad muse with few things but the spirit inside me will never fade. I always thought that in a past life I lived in the Renaissance and wore garb of detail and great splendor. Or perhaps I was a designer in those days creating whimsy and beauty. All I know is that costuming makes me very, very happy and I surely was in great joy on Sunday. And yes, I ran out of camera battery just as the sun was getting low in the sky and my fingers were too cold to continue. (I lost a GUANTO. Actually I didn't lose it. I know where it is but I have yet to retrieve it from the house in Padova.)
Photographing carnival was such a treat. I decided to concentrate on THE FACES. To share the images better I have created a video slide show of my favorite shots. I have uploaded it to youtube so all can enjoy the magic of Carnavale. Feel free to share it. I have also created a video for Vicenza and Verona also uploaded to youtube to share. I hope you enjoy the images. The Verona video I am going to go back into the post I did last week and put the link there, just page down from the main blog page or access the post from the side bar to the right.
Is life good? Oh yes, even with the sleet and snow and cold. The snow shall melt and clear away. Tomorrow I move to Padova (half way between here and Venice) to stay with Julia, a couchsurfer born in Poland. Carnival will be over (actually due to the weather and the flooding the last day was canceled anyway) and I will be able to go back into old the city to photograph without masses of people blocking my shots.
Well ok.... time for lunch. It smells delicious. Ah my senses! Until next time. Ciao.
Oh and here is a montage of photos of Vicenza - one of the most loveliest cities in northern Italy. Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment