We took a Gondola ride, along with several others from our tour. The soloist and accordion player sat in our boat. Before the Black Plague, Gondolas used to be colorful, but were painted black to mourn the loss of life. A Gondolier must first be a Venetian, and then a son of a Gondolier so the job is passed down from son to son. Though they also must pass a test to obtain a license. We were told the world of Gondoliers is a tough world. Lots of fights.
Venice is built on a Lagoon. Wooden posts were driven into the marsh and over the ages the wood petrified to stone. Flooding depends on the tides. Lots of leaning towers in Venice.
To control frequent fires from the hot ovens of the glass blowers, Venetian glass factories were sent to the nearby Island of Moreno.
The quality of this picture is terrible, but the glass blower is working on a Moreno vase. Glass blowing is a dying art. Venetian glass is made of minerals and is hard, with no lead. Beautiful.
Tomorrow onto Assisi, one of my favorite spots.
Blessings,
Janet
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