October 5 Venice

We went on a quiet ride in a gondola, through the “backstreets” of our little neighborhood Castello. We saw the palazzos of Casanova and Marco Polo. That’s how old this place is! We passed the garbage boat and delivery boats; people waved at us from bridges. Sounds were subdued, just lapping water and quiet working motors. The pace is slow.

Here is Alessandro, age 36, one of Over 400 native Venetians who passed the gondolier apprenticeship and purchased his regulation Venetian gondola.

His only rule was not to touch the decorations, some pom-poms and little gilded statues of horses on the sides.

He was very solicitous getting us from the “curb” (see the steps) in and out. As we were klutzy, so he was nimble, especially going under the bridges when he had to steer and duck. If we went around a sharp corner he called out to let others know he was coming.

I had to wonder if Walt Disney visited Venice and was inspired by the canals for those Disneyland water rides. This was the highlight of my trip and a dream come true.