Thursday 30 May 2013

Strange things to buy in Venice.

In my last post I showed you how goods arrive at their destinations. Here I have some of the things you can buy. I have not included anything from a street stall, most of which are crammed with bags and scarves and masks and little models of St Mark's. All these were in shop windows (except the one that was on my table ... that will become clear). I do not claim that this is not representative of things you can buy in Venice - simply things that caught my eye.

Suppose you've been walking all day, your feet ache ... would you buy these?

Speaking personally, I value my knees to much - though I can see that they are rather wonderful colours.

If you don't fancy shoes, how about jewellery?

When I saw this, it struck me that it resembled a collection of green nipples. But maybe green nipples are your thing ...

You can buy dolls in many shapes and forms.

These are dressed in their finery, and are presumably meant to sit on the side and be admired. No use to my granddaughter then.

I can't see her playing with these, either. They're glass, and the colours are lovely, and might look good with the sun behind them.

Maybe the grandsons would like masks? There are masks all over Venice - and some of them are truly beautiful. I'm sure many tourists swaddle them in bubble wrap to get them home. And how many unpack them and wonder - what are they going to do with it now?

It's all getting too much. Time for this:

10 comments:

  1. I loved window shopping in Venice but the prices meant that that was all I did. I love those masks. I now wish I'd got myself one.

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    1. Next time, Ros - buy one next time.

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  2. These shop windows are just gorgeous. Art forms in themselves! Is there a particular culture of masks in Italy? It reminds me of Shakespeare's plays and masked balls, but maybe this is where they came from. The wine looks well-deserved.

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    1. I did, once, know the story behind all the masks in Venice. (Am sure it's in a guide book somewhere!) They are extraordinary, though what you'd do with them I've no idea. (And you've not got many walls to decorate on your boat!)

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  3. Glad you are obviously enjoying Venice, Jo! I think the necklace looks like great big green gooseberries. But then I have just been wondering when my gooseberries are going to ripen, given that we have had almost no sun. Hope the weather is nice - although Venice is one of the places where it doesn't matter TOO much even if it is not!

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    1. Am safely home, Jenny - but still relishing memories, I was a fab trip. (And weather good enough to drink prosecco in a piazza in the early evening!)

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  4. ooh this brought back memories!! Are there still North African guys selling dodgy fake designer handbags? Martyn and I always tried to get in a visit to the Murano glass factories and I have some lovely bottles. Sadly, when we last went, some seemed to have closed and a lot of the glass was no longer made on site, but imported. Sign of the times...

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    1. I think there are North Africans in every Italian city, Carol. I didn't even think of going to the glass factory - spent much of my time wandering around churches looking for Tintorettos, and then relaxing with a glass of something ...

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    2. Hi Jo-where did you see the gorgeous papier mache dolls please? We are going next Feb for Carnevale and I just have to have one!!
      Linda

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    3. It was a long time ago - I think they sell them on the stalls by the lido, not far form St Mark's square, though they may be in one of the shops in the narrow lanes leading to the square. I hope you find them!

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