Taking a Breather p19

Setting Up

So we were sitting across from the church in the previous post. To the left of the church, and directly in front of where we were sitting, these bohemian musicians were just changing performers. While we were sitting on the steps, waiting for the next guy to perform, mom was relaxing and maybe even eating gelato along with the rest of the people sitting along the steps with us. There were so many different things to see sitting right here.


Guitar accompanied by CD player.

We watched this guy setup his little amp, stool, his music stand, his foot rest, the oh so important open guitar case (for the generous) and something in a suitcase behind him. He strummed a little on the guitar, just kinda spaced out from everything around him. He either didn't see me sitting so close with the camera, or he didnt mind. After his 'warmup' he reached behind him and apparently pressed the play button to a full orchestra. He continued to sit down, and started skillfully strumming along to the recorded accompaniment. He played extremely well, and blended with the music great. I had never heard of or imagined such a thing.

We ran into lots of live players-of-music in Italy. I think this was the most advantageous way to earn money on the streets. In Venice though, it seemed like the people that played were doing it as a Sunday afternoon ritual with their close friends instead of as their full-time job.



So many views.

It was one long street that opened to this gathering of buildings. Each side of the street (to the left and to the right of where I'm sitting) were these perfect little skinny Italian streets. So many people passed by without taking it in. There were so many different things going on in this tiny opening. There were 2 large buildings made out of white stone, sporting columns. There was the beautiful brown church with the trees hugging nearby, and there was the music. This was a view from where I was sitting. I looked left and up, and the beautiful red geraniums were erupting out of their window-planters.