16 June 2016

Overloaded senses and camera sensors

A trio of Venetian islands by ferry included the glass factory, the ancient church and the colorfully painted cottages of Burano.  Dosed in insect repellent the two of us ambled very slowly about all three venues.  Helen sat on a bench and waited for me at the space age latrine of Torcello where a turnstile barred the entrance to the business quarter. An attendant guarded the portico where the charge of 1.5 Euros was desperately paid into the automatic counter, but on the first two attempts rejected the coins. The attendant barked some instruction or other but was ignored. Placing the coins more gently into the machine worked and it permitted me through. What a relief! The ancient church building where the beautiful mosaic was said to lay, was an additional charge we avoided. Instead, the open place of worship next door was cool and more inviting. A place no doubt of great historic interest and merit but we two jaded visitors much preferred the canal side walk on the approach, where every other tree was a Tamarisk and the birdsong from the scrubland round about, delightful.

The glass factory visit was just 45 minutes and emphasis on sales quite a distraction. We watched a mesmerizing performance by the portly overheated artisan, who produced a prancing horse by plucking at a large blob of semi-molten glass with large steel tweezers.  He finally stood it on the work surface beside his station, then held it aloft for all to see more closely. His brow was perspiring and as colourful as his village home - over exposed to the roaring furnace behind him.
Burano was a better place to take photos, though the oriental visitors were seen to be imaging themselves as much as the place itself. Crossing one of the canal bridges I was invited to do the honour of snapping one such image of three young ladies. Quite a giggle!












No comments: