The picture I posted last time was indeed part of a Gondola. Good job guys! The two seahorses are attached to the middle of the boat and hold a rope leading back to the seat of the costumers. I think it might just be decoration though, I can't imagine anybody holding on to the rope or the seahorses in case they are falling out of the boat.
Gondole are one of the main means of transportation in Venice. Today they are mostly used to chauffeur tourists around and motor boats probably outweigh the number of Gondole. They used to have little cabins in the middle to protect the passengers from the weather, especially during the winter but since the tourists today go on a Gondola ride to see the city, they were removed. The tourists don't seem to mind too much if they have to bundle up...
The front part of the boats, although it looks very pretty, might not just be decoration. It is the popular believe that the six spikes represent the six quarters of Venice and the S es on the front and the back of the vessel imitate the course of the Canal Grande, the main channel in
Venice.
Since Gondole are like cars, the Venetians park them like cars, on the side of the canal. If you look closely, you can see a motorized water bus in the background. I took this picture early in the morning when the fog was still lingering above the water.
This is a picture of a Gondola parking lot! I guess on-canal-parking can be a problem in Venice as well.
I am always amazed how one person can steer a Gondola with so little effort. A gondola can be up to 11 meters long and weigh up to 600 kilos! Plus it is built so that its left side is higher than the right. I guess it gets around the corners easier that way.
My facts come from "The official Gondola site":http://www.gondolavenezia.it/homeng.asp
Go check it out if you wanna know more about Gondole.
Now for your next task. As you all have noticed, it is fall. At least here in New England. I took this picture on the Tufts Campus a few days ago because I was intrigued about how many colors one tree can have. Take a look, how many colors and shades do you see? Can you make up some interesting names for them? Then, on your way home or to work or school, pick up a leave and look at it. Does it have different colors, shades. Can you invent some names for these colors? Have fun!
Posts
running red, yelling yellow, grasping green, punching purple. The colors are evidence of slow but sustained action... kicking and screaming toward bedtime brown and death.
ReplyDelete-Margaret
Love your color selection, Margaret! Very cool that you gave the colors a purpose. I can definitely identify with the kicking and screaming.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment.
cranberry juice, green dragon hide, honey paint, dried prunes, sunny rays, charcoal, spring tree.
ReplyDeleteThe one I picked up on the way home looks like a flame with a vanilla egg yolk body, raspberry sherbet edges and sprinkles of dark chocolate.
I love how you invite each viewer to connect with your "challenges," and encourage them to look more deeply at pictures through your comments and questions. Your photography is impressive! The format of this post is fun, too, with facts woven between pictures. Excellent blog!
ReplyDeleteKate B.