Carnivale!

Carnivale!

For us the word conjured up images of swashbuckling costumes, pulsing music and frantic festivities, so we were surprised when our mission president gave us permission to take our elders to Venice during the 10 days of the festival, in late January. We were later to learn that carnivale in Venice is sedate, by comparison to Mardi Gras in Brazil and New Orleans. Family-friendly and characterized by modest attire, it made for a fun day for Elders Shakespear, Dickerson, and the Openshaws.


We begin our carnivale tour with the view from the steps of the Venice train station--the first sights a visitor sees.









We then proceed to the streets of Venice--yes, there are streets in Venice--many of them. Note that some are very narrow, as Elder Dickerson demonstrates;








past the music man



and the plenteous shops selling carnivale masks;







past the tie shops, where we bought many of the boys ties for Christmas last,



and on to St Mark's Square and the costumes of Carnivale!!



Kodak moments abound! Those who costume themselves for carnivale do so with full intent to attract unceasing attention. They often adopt planned poses against the pillars of the Promenade,

or the plentiful balustrades.





Even children are sometimes costumed for the festivities,



and be aware that men are often costumed in unmanly ways!





We were in Venice during the day. These costumes were a pittance compared to those that emerge with nightfall.

Midday found us lunching against the walls of St Mark's, making peanut butter sandwiches from the supplies we brought in in our backpacks, munching carrots, cookies and M & Ms.