Sheilaclapkin's Blog;

Sleep # 17

Murano, Burano and Torcello

I remember photos sent of my cousins Louis and Keith’s percolation system in Lake Tahoe, well today we saw it in action. Percolation of water is how quickly a volume of water dissipates into the subsoil, therefore not having any flooding and or puddles of water on the surface. I talk about the natural percolation system here in Venice because their drains are plugged up with everything imaginable. We could not get out of our hotel lane here in Venice to go for an excursion this afternoon, so we found some upper back alleys and got to the meeting point to board our water taxi out to Murano, Burano and Torcello.  St. Marks Square was flooded as well. When we returned 4 hours later all of the water had percolated and the flood was gone, probably back again tomorrow if the tide is high or as the Venetians call it  “Acqua Alta”, high water.  We heard that they are going to build some form of break so the water will not get over the banks as the land has been sinking for many years. There is another problem and the water rises up through the rainwater drains, but the inconvenience is fairly short-lived. We wondered why they have giant tables end to end in the square. This morning we saw them in action. People were walking across the square on the tops of these low tables as well as pulling their luggage across them.  My feet and socks were wet. So much for Acqua Alta and the percolation process as first hand witnesses.

We boarded our excursion boat to  Murano Island, which you may know is famous for their glass manufacturing industry, sometimes referred to as Glass Island. We had no idea that there are many glass factories. We thought it was just one factory making all of this wonderful art. The island is slow, and has fewer tourists walking the streets.  We were treated to a glass blowing demonstration, but did not stay to the end and or shop in the factory store. We headed out into the streets along the canals to see the island’s interior.  We had to be back to the boat at a certain time so we walked a counted number of minutes giving ourselves plenty of time to make the boat’s leaving time. The island held some magic. I was looking for something magical to take home to family and friends.

You know that Italian art glass sometimes contains millefleur, (mosaic glass art) which means thousands of flowers and is used to make many beautiful glass art vases, paperweights and jewelry.

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In a store tucked away from the maddening crown, I found loose pieces of Millefleur and bought a few magical pieces. If you want one, I have enough for many of you.  Each one is hand picked and you can have the magic inside the glass piece.  Usually they are encased in glass boiled and blown, but these are in rare untreated form. One is yours for the asking. Come by and get yours or I will send it to you.  Right now they are covered in bubble wrap and placed in my shoe for safe travels home.  I say safe travel because Skip’s suitcase busted and we had to buy a new one.

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Now let’s go on to our excursion to Burano Island.  I loved the look of this little island. It is known not only for their lovely lace making, but also known for its fisherman’s houses that are painted in bright colors. You may choose any color you wish for your house, but once you have chosen a color you can’t ever change it. You may re-paint it but it must be the same color forever. Some of these photos will give you an idea of the lovely little Burano.

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Last on our excursion we stopped at Torcello Island. It is said that Picasso and Hemmingway both had long stays on this island because of its quiet, serene, idyllic nature.  It was the first civilization in the huge estuary leading to the Adriatic and only the Cathedral and the church remain to mark that time. We walked along the canal for about 10 minutes noting farms, a multitude of cats, roosters and chickens, grape growing and some lovely scenes. We returned to Venice in an intimate relationship with a beautiful sunset amid clouds carrying tomorrow’s rain.

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The Cathedral