May 16, 2022
I am not sure where to start my part of today’s blog. It’s either with a fact check revealing fake news (FC for the New York Times and FN for D. Trump), or the premier of the remake of one of Alfred Hitchcock’s scariest movies, The Birds.
Let’s start with the movies.
We were almost back to the apartment following our morning excursion when a bird dive-bombed us. There are pigeons everywhere in the streets – could have been one. There are those “Mine, Mine, Mine” birds from Finding Nemo – could have been one. Whatever it was, it deposited 3 missiles; two in front of us and one behind. I was slightly wounded on the back of my right shoulder. The unidentified assailant continued on unscathed.
And now the fact finding that revealed the fake news.
You remember yesterday I told you we went looking for the Church of Mary of the Big Boobs? Actually it was the Church of Santa Maria Formosa (“formosa” which means “buxom” in Italian is from a seventh-century Venetian bishop who claimed visions of a well-endowed Virgin Mary). Anyway, now that the name is straight, I told you that we found it but couldn’t get close because of fencing and warning signs. That much is true. We couldn’t get close to some building because of fencing and warning signs, but it was not the Church of Santa Maria Formosa. Google Maps led us astray (side note: I remembered that when GM acts up you can turn it in a series of figure 8s to reorient it. I did it last night when we walked out to the Laguna after supper, and voila!).
I have no idea where we were but we were not at CoSMF. On our walk today to visit the Church of San Zaccharia and La Pieta Museum, we popped into Campo Santa Maria Formosa (“campo” means “square”) and there was the church. It was 10:22 and the church was opening at 10:30. We waited.
While we waited, we browsed at a fruit stand in the middle of the campo. Bonnie bought 100 grams – 13 cherries in total – of sour cherries for 2 euros (about $2.30). Fuji apples were 4.50 euros for 2 kilos ($5.20). Our family produce expert says that is cheaper than in Augusta.
Did you notice the Bird Egg Beans in the 2nd picture?
After that delightful discovery, we hurried off to our first real target of the morning, the Church of San Zaccharia. We tried to visit it when we were here 3 years ago, but every time we stopped by it was closed. I learned last night that it is open from 10-12 and 2-4. It was 10:50 when we left the market, so we toodled on, knowing the church would close in 70 minutes and then we’d have to wait another 2 hours or maybe another 3 years.
CoSZ is the first church we’ve visited this time that did not charge entrance. Usually it is 3.5 euros per person, and almost always there is a sign saying the money is for reconstruction, remodeling, and/or restoration. We gladly pay the tariff.
That fourth picture, we think is the story of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. What do you think? I thought maybe, Christ Knocking at the Door, but were are pretty sure that is a woman with the candle.
This 15th century church is dedicated to Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. The original church was built in the 1170s and still stands to the right, but the area in front of it is fenced off and overgrown. Mom was sad that no one was taking care of it. I said, “If I had been the pastor, there would have been someone to take care of the yard, because you did all of the jobs at Macedonia no one else did.” And that included clearing brush from around the signs pointing to the church out on Highway 80 South.
The remains of several Doges are buried in the church’s crypt. It is flooded and visitors are no longer allowed to see into it. The picture below I found on the Internet.
Our last stop was at the La Pieta Museum (actually we went to see the La Pieta Church because of its association with Antonio Vivaldi, a great composer who was born in Venice). The main doors weren’t open, but the building is very near to San Marco Piazza, so we’ll go back and try again in a day or two.
At the side of the Church is a museum exhibiting the “hyperrealist sculptures” of Carole Feuerman.
The basic material is resin, and looking at them, it is almost like looking at living women. The skin tones, the finger and toe nails, the hair, even the inner tubes, all look, well, hyperrealistic. Shoot, the water drops on the skin look real. The lady laying on the black inner tube has a bathing cap made of Swarovski crystals.
And before I am accused of imitating Leon Tolstoy, I will show you a few more pictures. First are 3 more canal scenes with the unique architecture of Venice.
Second is a restaurant sign – just for Pittsburgh Pirates fans.
Third, walking to the Laguna last night after supper.
And finally for this blog, our evening waitress, Leanna, and Bonnie.
TTFN
Love,
Dad/Pappy/David
* * * * *
Well, such a deep subject for a shallow mind!
Well, up at 6, waited for him and then our day started. I had made the garbage bag so it was ready to go out when he got up. Made it before 8 o’clock but I think it is after that before they get it. They pull a cart around up and down the streets getting the garbage.
He did some computer stuff and I did some puzzles. This morning I wanted an egg too, so toast, pancetta, juice and hot chocolate for me. I managed to break one of his eggs and mine too. So he only had one dippy one. The eggs are brown eggs and have very hard shells. So you really have to smack them to break them open. I fry the pancetta to get a little grease to fry the eggs. I have a nice skillet and a spatula to make the eggs. We have a strange toaster. Not like the one at home but I have figured it out. It you put the toast down when the pancetta is almost done it will be done by the time you finish the eggs. I bought some orange juice made from blood oranges, a little different taste but I like it. The milk seems to be like whole milk but a slightly different taste. It is good too.
Well, he took his bath and I washed in the sink. We dressed and waited till 9:30 to go out because the one place he wanted to visit didn’t open till 10. On our way, and today we did not get lost or confused, we headed out. Before we got to the first place we found a bookstore. Really cool. They have hundreds of books stacked up in the back and along some of the walls that were damaged in the floods. They are tied together and even make a set of stairs at the back. I am not steady enough to climb up but your Dad did. They have some great post cards and I bought a couple. I also got a small notebook with the gondola on the front. (So much for no souvenirs) I also got a light cotton bag with Venezia on the front with a scene of Venice to carry stuff. You have to have a Venice bag. I also got a birthday present for later this year. They even have a gondola setting in the store filled with books. This a store where cats are allowed but no dogs. There was a large black cat laying on the books in the gondola. Neat place to visit.
Pictures of the Aqua Alta Library (bookstore):
After that we went to the first church. These buildings are so old and the art work inside is unbelievable. I love looking at the statues and paintings. The first one had two people in glass caskets. We have seen this before. They put a mask over their face, gloves on their hands and shoes on their feet. I guess it is a little eerie but interesting too. They also have many times people buried under the floor. It is interesting to read the dates which are all in Roman numerals. It cost usually around 3 euros to enter and look around. I lighted two candles today. I pray every day for all of you to be safe and well.
After this church we entered a large square and there was a fresh vegetable and fruit stand set up. They had a dozen different types of apples, pears, lemons, kiwi, cantaloupe ( but they were only the size of a softball) green beans, bird egg beans, several types of lettuce, strawberries and much, much more. I splurged on the cherries, very expensive. They are not as sweet as ours but they were good. They were my snack after lunch.
The second church which we had tried to visit the last time we were here didn’t have a cost to visit the main sanctuary. We went in and looked around and sat for a while just to enjoy the atmosphere. They had a part that they charged for but we didn’t go there.
Next we went to the Grand Canal. There was another church he wanted to see. This one was along a path we had walked the last time we were here. This is a big tourist area and a lot of vaporetto stops. There were tour groups and lots of people. We found the church but only got to see an art exhibit that was there. It was quite unusual. The resin sculptures really looked real. You had to touch one to know they weren’t. We never got into the church so we are going back again to see if we can get into the church.
Well by now we were both tired. We usually last about 2 or 3 hours and then we are spent. So we headed back to the apartment. It was lunch time. He ate up the leftovers from yesterday and I had a half grilled cheese sandwich. Some chips, a drink and a yogurt for me to finish the lunch. Good!! Then, naptime. A short one for me a longer one for him.
Then, he did his blog, read the Pittsburgh newspaper and watched some highlights from yesterday’s game where the Pirates got no hits and still won the game. Really strange game. Then, we headed for supper.
Tonight it was a pizza and a salad with a bottle of water. As we ate , and it was very good, the weather took a turn. A strong wind and the threat of rain. We left a little early. We did get a couple of small canolies and he got a cup of coffee to go. So we got home early today.
Now watching NCIS and I am writing my blog. Almost finished. The rain has not shown yet. We shall see as the night progresses.
Love you all and miss you all. Mom, Granny and Bonnie
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