The people along the Grand Canal p4

The marketplace

The morning after we arrived, we headed to the island of Venice. It was hazy, but a lively day none the less. We were greeted by colorful scenes of a floating town. The marketplace was in full force, as people gathered to peruse the fruit displays ... dressed about as brilliantly as the mouth-watering produce ... later in our trip, we picked up a bunch of fresh cherries and cherry tomatoes... it made the best afternoon snack.


Where's Waldo?

Gondolas aways swarmed the waters of the Grand Canal. They're expensive! The Gondoliers (who look a bit like blue versions of Waldo) hustle and beg tourists to ride with them, and many do!

I love in this picture how you can see one parking his boat on the left, and then another on the right, attempting to persuade a lady to a ride. The lady looks like she's having none of it. In Venice, I was polite, always sying 'no thank you' to all the street soliciting. By the end of the trip, though, I learned that the only thing they understand is a head shake and a firm 'NO!'