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The benefit of staying in one place for entire two weeks does open oneself
up to one of life's most enjoyable past times . . . shopping. On my previous two trips to Venice I purchased a beautiful
Murano glass wine set, a unique Venetian Mask and a gorgeous black and white sketch of the famous Rialto Bridge
drawn by a local street artist. All items are equally worthy souvenirs from a typical tourist day tripper which
I was on both trips.
Although I'm not a big shopper
by nature . . . on this trip I had two full weeks to devote my self to this task and I had my eyes set on several additional
famous Venetian products to add to my Venice Souvenir Collection. My shopping goal was to buy some beautiful Burano
handmade lace, veneto white wine, olive oil, a few Santa Maria Novela (SMN) products and a few pieces from
the famous Giovanni Moro Miniature collection.
IN
SEARCH FOR MY "LITTLE VENICE"
I had heard about these wonderful Giovanni Moro Miniatures
from a Slow Travel Thread that was started just before I left. Once
I did my research I just new that I had to purchase a few of these famous pieces.
I stumbled upon my first store somewhere on the edge of Dorsoduro
and San Marco. It sold custom made stationary and pens and it had a nice selection of Moros. I picked out 5
pieces: two houses, a palazzo, a little bridge and a little gondola. I was quite pleased but really
wanted to get one that was four-sided. The cheapest piece cost more than 100 euros so I decided to take a
pass. Actually what I really wanted was the 4-sided Santa Maria La Salute Church. But the price was
way over my price range and I moved on.
A few days later I was in the San Marco area and stumbled into one of
those really touristy shops (you know the type) which had a few Moro pieces in it's display. I went inside
and browsed around looking at a small selection of little houses and a few four-sided buildings. The shop
owner came over and spent some time telling me about the artist and how he took his whole Venice City (more than
2,000 pieces I think is what he said) and flew them over to Japan for a two month exhibit. I would love to see
that entire collection myself and would actually pay to see it. I thought his story was interesting.
The guy then took the two pieces that I was looking at and put them
by the counter. I was still studying them intently trying to decide which one I wanted to get (as I had already made
up my mind to buy one of them). The vendor then asked, how did I plan to pay? By cash or credit? He
said if I pay by cash he would discount my price and knock off 20 euros. The price was now down to 75 Euros.
I had apparently been haggling before I even knew that I was doing it. Oh well, it doesn't really matter, the
price was now 20 euros cheaper and that was fine by me. I said yes and picked the piece that I wanted! He
happily wrapped it up with bubble wrap for me.
Well, all this strenuous Moro Shopping made me hungry and I was trying
to figure out where I wanted to have a late lunch. I forgot my Chow Venice book in the apartment and didn't know where
to go in the area. I decided that the next best thing to having my reliable Chow Venice book was to ask a local
for their recommendation. While the shop owner was carefully wrapping up my moro house I asked him where
would be a good place for to me have a nice late lunch and he immediately said to go to the restaurant on the right just
outside of his shop. He and his helper sternly warned me against the restaurant on the left and made a funny disagreeable
face when they told me how bad their food was. I so glad that I asked. I said Grazie' and headed
out. I can't recall the name of this restaurant, but I had a very good meal. It consisted of a simple green
salad, spaghetti and since I was seated right next to the display case . . . a delicious tiramisu. The shop owner was right! So now my new motto when traveling and looking
for a place to eat is when in doubt ask a local!
Well, that was fun! I'm really pleased with my newly acquired
moro miniature collection. I can't believe how accurate and real these pieces are? Right down to the chipped off
paint and water marks!
These pieces will always remind me of my special time in Venice
and I will place them somewhere in my home where I can see them everyday.
MY OTHER VENICE
TREASURES:
BURANO
LACE:
On the island of Burano I purchased some very special lace table
cloths that has an interesting history.
Legend has it that a young Venetian
seafarer brought his beloved a seaweed from the far, distant seas. As she wanted to preserve the memento for ever, she
painstakingly copied the delicate outline and patterns using her needle and thread.
I bought a couple of lace book marks and three table cloths (one
was a gift to my sister).
BEAUTIFUL
ART:
On every trip I take, I enjoy buying a print from a local artist.
Near Piazza San Marco, I purchased two prints from a local artist. I loved the colors that she used and when I saw this
print of the Maria Salute Church with the gondonlas in the foreground I just had to get it.
Another print I really loved is this one of the many canals around Venice.
I really enjoyed walking all over Venice and photographing the many, many canals and bridges. There were times when
I was literally the only soul in the area and it was a wonderful feeling of having Venice all to myself!
WINE/OLIVE OIL:
I purchased a special bottle of White wine, a bottle of prosecco
and also a bottle of Olive Oil. As new airline restrictions prevent carrying on any liquids, I had to bring
something to help keep my bottle safe in my checked baggage. I had heard about these WINE SKINS from the Slow Travel Message board and so I purchased them before I
left. I used them to put my bottles in and then I packed them securely in my luggage and had no breakage!
SANTA
MARIA NOVELLA:
I had heard about these special Santa Maria Novella products from a Slow Traveler who was looking for someone to buy
some for her. Since I was going to be in Venice I contacted her and offered to buy the products she wanted. I
found the SMN store on the 3rd day and purchased the products. I spent a lot of time talking to the sales lady.
She spent a lot of time explaining the history about the products. While there I heard the most beautiful classical
guitar music playing. I asked if she knew who Ottmar Liebert was and she had a big smile and pulled out one of my favorite
CD's on Ottmar. Isn't that a small world.
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