Revelry is best enjoyed with wonderful friends amidst scores of strangers... from behind a mask.
Venice is a mere two hour train ride but it is another land. All the romance, the sighs, the old buildings, the gondolas, it's all there and if anything, it is underemphasized by the romantics who have tried to verbally depict it.
Arriving in the early eveining, we got to soak in but a few fleeting moments of the sun-drenched canals before the sun set and the mischief began.
The masks in the stores are amazing- everything you can imagine. For Carnival, the masks a
re also on everyone you pass. Some vendors have stands outside peddling their goods, others just keep their stores open late. The truly dedicated appear in full costume- resembling aristocrats, fairy tale characters, or fools. We wandered all about and all ended up finding just the right mask along the way. I certainly don't want to brag... but mine garnered more than one compliment and photograph from scores of people. The only problem was smiling as it pressed on my cheeks a bit!
re also on everyone you pass. Some vendors have stands outside peddling their goods, others just keep their stores open late. The truly dedicated appear in full costume- resembling aristocrats, fairy tale characters, or fools. We wandered all about and all ended up finding just the right mask along the way. I certainly don't want to brag... but mine garnered more than one compliment and photograph from scores of people. The only problem was smiling as it pressed on my cheeks a bit!For dinner, we found a chinese restaurant- one of the few places we could actually afford to sit down in- and thoroughly enjoyed hot sauce on everything we ate. I had the privledge of being with two people who have lived in Asia who had good advice on what to order. The lazy susan in the middle of the table facilitated a way to taste a bit of everything and enjoy the escape from the chilly evening! It was also the only place where one coudl see that everything from my dress, leggins, boots, earrings and mask all matched perfectly. Otherwise, it was all hidden beneath the coat.
The scores of people bring the streets to life and everyone is enjoying drinks and dancing to the techno or live bands blaring music from every piazza. Blue light ornimentation hang above pedestrian streets and one can meander to all the different locales and take in all the energy and cheer that goes with this celebration.
At almost three in the morning, about twenty SAISer's departed from Bologna train station, thoroughly exhausted but wickedly happy. As we walked home, my roommate charging ahead... (full bladders do that to a person) we reflected on a truly wonderful way to spend the Saturday evening after the start of a new semester. I am proud to say many of us were up and at 'em this morning, hitting the perpetual books... also proud to say many of us also spent the evening at Tracy and Daniel's having dinner together and remembering not to take ourselves too seriously.
B
No comments:
Post a Comment