The Allisons

Carnevale!
On Saturday, we went down to Venice to experience Carnevale. Besides the slow moving crowds on the narrow streets the trip was actually even better than I expected. We planned to make our way Piazza di San Marco to view the festivities and also to see a concert and mask parade. The excitement started even before we left Pordenone. At the train station there was a young couple in costume getting train tickets.
Upon arrival in Venice, we were greeted by most of the characters of Star Wars and many other people in masks. This man on the right was funny. I especially love the shoes with a heel and and feather ball. I have a ton of respect for a man who can walk the catwalk in a 2 inch heel and muff. We followed 2 Minnie Mouses (Mice?), a clown, and a devil most of the way the Piazza. The street vendors were out in full force, as were face painters. It seemed if you were without a mask for whatever reason, surely you should have your face painted.
Along the way we saw various street performers (gypsies). The ones on the left were twirling flags. In this same square on the way back to the train station, there was another couple here. The man was singing a story (in Italian of course) while playing the guitar. The woman was swinging a flaming ball by a chain and jumping on a pile of broken glass barefoot. It was quite entertaining.
Continuing on to the Piazza, the costumes were getting more outrageous and elaborate. In the Piazza, those in costume were posing for pictures. We basically walked through the Piazza taking pictures of people. There was a stage and catwalk set up at the far end, so we found a spot in the crowd. I included the picture on the left, because the masks with the long noses freaked Mike out. The guy below and right, has a pretend man on his shoulders. The guy behind him has a tree on his head.
Finally, the band came out and in costume. I suppose they played some traditional Italian songs. We didn't know them, but everyone else in the crowd seemed to. I'm afraid they weren't all that great, but it did help to pass the time until the mask parade.
The parade consisted of ordinary people in costumes who had come from all over the world to participate in Carnevale. The family on the left was from New York. The endless parade of people lasted for over an hour. I'd have to say the majority of people were dressed like men and women of the late 1700's. But many others were dressed as all other things from Chinese dragons, to Van Gogh, to a "moon" lady (above left in blue). There was a play going on in another part of the Piazza (in the same area as the play in Casanova).
This was an older couple proving that Carnevale is indeed for all ages. Unlike the craziness that ensues in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, Carnevale is much more based on historic tradition. There's lots of conffetti, but no beads. However, we left fairly early, so I'm sure things get a little more rowdy later in the evening. We had fun, and I'm already planning my costume for next year.