Elaboratory!

I've set up this blog to use as a kind of travel diary.
It will have bits and bobs about what I'm seeing, doing, reading, and what kind of art I'm looking at.

Right now I'm living and working in Venice, where I'll be for the next few months.
It's Carnivale, so I'm hiding a bit- one of the main reasons for coming here in the winter was to get AWAY from crowds!
However, the main action seems to be centered in San Marco, so as long as I stay away from there over the next week, all will be well.

I took a peek at the scene there last night. They are expecting a million visitors!
There were big crowds, but not THAT big.
There is a huge stage set up in the center of the piazza, which is nicely decorated in a Commedia dell'arte way. They have ruined this however, with a huge electronic billboard along side, which flashes advertisements constantly.
The music I heard while there was some kind on anonymous disco music being pumped through loudspeakers. Crowds of tourists, some wearing masks with their parkas, milled around taking photos of the costumed Venetians who strolled around posing. It was very static and, frankly, a little dull.
We are NOT in Brazil or New Orleans, that's for sure. Nary a drunken reveler in sight!
Not that I'm pining for that or anything. that's what I was fearing: hoards of loud, drunk revelling visitors...

So now that I've established myself as an anti-social, curmudgeonly,surly type, I'll sign off. Thanks for reading.