Saturday, August 2, 2008

Let's go to Venice



If only it were that easy. I read that as of May 1, you're no
longer allowed to feed the pigeons in Piazza San Marco,
and you risk a fine of 50 to 500 euros if you do. Apparently, the
city officials have come to the conclusion that the 40,000
or so pigeons are a health risk and a nuisance. Gee, you think??

7 comments:

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  2. It's such a well-done photograph. Rare in its lack of subject posturing. I like how the center of attention is just a little skewered. It doesn't look like it's quite as roasting there as in this neighborhood this summer. I hate to grill you but are those people we know or should know: like Henry, perhaps? Most of the news photographs I have seen have shown that plaza heavily basted with about six inches of the Adriatic, which goes to show how little one can get a true taste of a locale just from the media.

    Now the problem: What to do with all those pigeons? Somehow, rereading my sentences above makes me think of yakitori.

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  3. tg -- I'll cook 'em if you'll eat 'em (but someone else has to clean them -- yuch).

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  4. Alexa, a fine in the moment shot! Actually, I thought the little one had grown some wings. I don't think he minds the pigeons. Are we looking at family? I'm not talking about the don in background right.;-)
    Your discussion with Tall G-Man reminds me of how a starving young Hemingway supposedly indulged in a pigeon or two in the Jardin du Luxembourg. As to the pigeon problem in Venice and elsewhere...it is indeed something we bipeds have created by FEEDING them. Personally I don't mind them so much [humans too], but from a HEALTH perspective, they have become a problem and need to find a spot in some magic act in Vegas...and disappear [or if it be your preference cut in half and thrown on the barbie]. Have a magical weekend, Alexa.

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  5. You know, I've walked through that square ankle deep in the Adriatic. It's remarkably clean! And for me, the special appeal here was playing "Spot the Venetians!" 8^)

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  6. These charming people were total strangers to me (but they didn't seem to mind me photographing them). They were speaking Spanish. BTW, not sure about Venice's pigeon population, but virtually all of them in NYC have pigeon lice. So I keep my distance.

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  7. Thanks for telling us about the open and friendly people. I guess we were a bit curious.

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Thanks, merci, grazie, danke, hvala, gracias, spasibo, shukran, dhanyavaad, salamat, arigato, and muito obrigado for your much-appreciated comments.