Week 8: “Do you want to build (another) snowman?”

Venice ~ Paris ~ Killorglin

Carnival!

A sunny dawn over Venice was a very welcome change, and it was out into the streets for the sights and sounds of Carnival!

An ancient tradition of festive carousing with the strategic use of masks to enable a discrete return to daily life the next day, Carnival was revived in the 1970s and has prospered since.

Revellers parade up and down the streets in costume by day, and carouse in a series of balls each night.

On the Sunday of Carnival, thousands of people converge on the Piazza San Marco to see the maiden chosen as the angel of Carnival fly down a flying fox line from the top of the bell tower to the stage, while costumed revellers parade up and down for the crowds.

We went early to the Piazza then escaped before we were locked in by the crowds, to explore the suddenly-now-more-empty surrounding streets and canals of Venice.

Street Exploration

Endlessly interesting wandering through the streets and bridges of Venice.

There were street theatre performances of various kinds, and open air markets…

…we crossed over the grand canal away from the crowds and towards the Gallerie dell’Accademia, and into the maze of little streets, courtyards and vistas across the water

And throughout, unexpected encounters of Carnival…

City of Water

And then after our strolling, off to where Venice really dazzles – the water. Rialto bridge, grand canal, gondoliers, beautiful architecture all around.

Sculpture Inspiration

There was even some sculpture inspiration for Simon to take back to his Tuesday evening classes. A sculpture called “Support” by Lorenzo Quinn (son of Anthony Quinn) installed for the 2017 Biennale, depicting a pair of gigantic hands rising from the water to support the sides of the Ca’ Sagredo Hotel. The intent is to symbolise the need for support in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.

Ciao, Venezia

Sadly time to head to the airport… by boat of course, with a short trip down the grand canal then weaving our way through little canals and across the short sea past Murano. Kids delighted by the crash and spray each time a boat passes in the other direction.

Pulling in to the dock, the “Ingemar” cleat seemed a sign.

Smooth flight to Paris where cold conditions had returned, and our daughter transformed into a kind of push-me pull-you with front and back puffer coats to keep warm…

Snow!!!

Back to Paris and a cold front sweeps in. White flakes starting to fall from the sky.

Aisling transfixed at the sight!

Makes for a very different walk to school!

And for great times in the park…

And the mad Aussie kids decided it was the perfect time to test out the playground…

It only snows in Paris once every 5 years or so, we are very lucky to have this chance during our stay!

Faldos and Valdos

Nick Leeder in town and we headed out for dinner at one of his previous haunts, Cafe Max.

Highly entertaining evening as the proprietor, M. Valdos took a shine to us and sat down to regale us with his tales of travels in Ireland, setting up his restaurant, and how he came to hire his man-of-all-trades, “Barry White”.

After dinner, the walk home was through a field of white, with a steady line up of snowmen keeping a watchful eye on our progress…

Quick trip Home

Niamh was off to Ireland the next day to visit family for 4 days, which turned into a bit of an adventure given many of the roads shut down due to snow, but the faithful RER came to the rescue.