An early start, markets, masks, and an unexpected gondola ride

Up and out early again, heading to the Rialto bridge which we were told looked good in the lights of the early morning. I confess to being disappointed when we first got there, but as time went by and we saw different images, I appreciated it more.

The gondoliers were just about coming to life, the restaurants – certainly the coffee shops – were beginning to open and prepare for the day and the vaporetta stopped every few minutes disgorging commuters on their way to work. The Grand Canal was showing itself to be the beating heart of the city.

As the warmer morning light broke through we decided to move on to a nearby square and the markets beyond – where fish and fruit are available in abundance.

It had rained overnight and the shining paving stones were great reflectors of shadows reminding us of San Marco on a rainy day. We were amazed, though, how often people stood right in the middle of the square answering their phone or looking at a tablet with absolutely no thought that there might be photographers around or that they might be in someone’s way: no malice, just plain obliviousness!!!

Through the arches to the delights of the markets:

First was the fruit market where there was also a ‘parmigiani’

Fascinating shapes and colours of the fruit and vegetables on sale:

But it was the activity in the fish market that caught my attention most: the ordered fillets on display and the haphazard piles of raw fish (are they sardines?)

Once sold the fish were taken over to two men for whatever needed to be done – skinning and boning or whatever – so messy and slimy! I was really glad I didn’t have to do it. But have to admit I had one of the best fish meals I have ever had on our first night there.

And all of this before breakfast!!!! All this food was making us feel ready for some…

Time to head back, but not without stopping along the way when something caught my eye.

Gondolas on the narrow canals were always an attraction but the textures of the walls, the low morning light and the gondolier’s hat left on the boat while he prepared for the day made this scene a bit different.

A lazy couple of hours and another mask shoot later and we were off again to cross the Accademia bridge and walk to the area around the Guggenheim collection. The sky was dull and it was primarily people and textures that drew my camera to them.

We had a passing conversation with a photographer and her ‘porter’ husband ( he was carrying all the bags) and met up with them later by chance in the hotel – only to discover that she was from Greece and also a member of the RPS Travel Group: such a small world!!

And the highlight of the afternoon for two of us at least was the unplanned but very welcome gondola ride back to St. Mark’s Square: much preferable to a long cold walk. My step count has been at 200% of target every day this week!!

Most of the gondoliers we saw were dressed for winter as was ours here, but there were other interpretations of the ‘uniform’:

I particularly liked the natty boater over the warm beanie: practical for standing around waiting for business on a chilly day!

Another day gone by in a flash!