ABC Wednesday—P is for "pretty pink pigeon perch"

. . . in the piazza.  I think Venice has some
 of the most beautiful street lamps
in the world.

[To see more abc posts, go here.]

ABC Wednesday—M is for "Monteverdi"

Claudio Monteverdi, Italian composer, string player,
and choirmaster, died in 1643, and is buried
here in the church of the Frari, in Venice.  Even now,
almost four centuries later, I've never seen his
gravesite without flowers left by a fan.

[To see more ABC photos, go here.]

Shadow Shot Sunday

I found some welcome shade and shadows
on a very sunny spring day on
Venice's cemetery island, San Michele.

[To see more Sunday shadows, go here.]

Santa Maria della Salute

This 17th-century Venice basilica, which
was built in thanks for deliverance
from an outbreak of plague, is not big on
bling but filled with lovely
shapes and shadows.

[Linking back to The Weekend in Black and White
and to inSPIREd Sunday.]

Under the bridge

Just one in a whole city of beautiful reflections . . .

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

A narrow calle is reflected in the window of this
color-filled Venetian art store. Thanks again,
James, for introducing me to this fun obsession.

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

This building (and/or its reflection)
has probably been photographed millions
of times.  And who could resist?

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

Thursday Challenge—"remembrances (2)"

I'll never forget what it's like to get up at
dawn in Venice—to see the rising sun
reflecting off the palatial homes on the Grand Canal
and experience the city without the
hordes of tourists.  Takes my breath away.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

Kind of hard to tell, but this entire image is a 
reflection—a Venice hotel seen in 
the window of an art gallery.

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.] 

Weekend Reflections

Here's one of the mirrored doors of Caffè Florian,
in Venice, reflecting the outdoor tables
in the Piazza San Marco.  Florian was the world's first
coffee bar—and Casanova was a regular.

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

And the winner—by a nose

. . . is the birdlike medico delle peste mask,
modeled after those worn by doctors
dealing with plague victims.
They filled it with strong-smelling herbs
and/or camphor in the belief that
it would purify the air.  They also wore a
long overcoat, and that was actually
what kept them safe—from the fleas that
were carrying the plague. (Though,
of course, who knew at the time?)

[Linking back to Blue Monday at
Magical Mystery Teacher.]

The Weekend in Black and White

I was taught by nuns when I was in
elementary school.  Looking back, I realize
that some of them were up to the
task of dealing with 50 kids with that special
blend of tough and patient—and some,
frankly, probably shouldn't have been allowed
near small children.  Either way, I'm
left with a soft spot for nuns (especially elderly
ones).  These two were climbing  the
steps up to Santa Maria della Salute, in Venice.

[To see more b/w photos, visit Dragonstar's meme.]

art in Venice

I love to visit Venice when the Biennale
is taking place.  Even if you don't attend the 
exhibition itself, you'll find random art
installations all around the city
—a good reminder to always look up.

[Linking back to Blue Monday
at Magical Mystery Teacher.]

inSPIREd Sunday

As ornate as most Italian churches are,
their sacristy is usually a haven of
somber simplicity.  This one is in the church
of San Giacomo dell'Orio, in Venice.

[To see more churches from
around the world, go here.]

ABC Wednesday—V is for "Venice"

Trust me, it is totally worth getting
up at 0-dark-thirty to have
Piazza San Marco all to yourself!
(And there are even fewer pigeons now
that you're not supposed 
to feed them.) 

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

snacks in Venice

Stopping in at one of my fave places in Venice
(I first came here 46 years ago!) for
an ombra bianco or a spritz con Aperol
and some tasty cicchetti.

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

ambulanza

Hope never to find out what it's like
to ride an ambulance in Venice.
But if they're needed, they're lined up
beside the Civil Hospital and
ready to go.

[Linking back to Monday Mellow Yellows.]

Burano blues

Murano glass vases have been set in
a niche on Burano.  I love the
very fresh flowers and the way the
water of the canal is reflected
on the wall.

[Linking back to Blue Monday at
Magical Mystery Teacher.]

The Weekend in Black and White

Making the trip back to Venice from the
colorful island of Burano, with
the sun sparkling on the lagoon and the
campanile of San Marco standing
sentry in the distance—so beautiful!

[To see more b/w images, visit
Dragonstar's meme.]

Weekend Reflections

Guess where I'm going tonight! 
It's the first stop on a little
Italian pilgrimage that I hope will be
all about fun, food, and friends. 
Have scheduled blog posts and hope
you'll come by while I'm away.

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]