Of course there's actually only one well (pozzo) still to be found in this campo, not two, but the pleasant bar pictured above makes up for the missing one. It's a favorite place for members of my rowing club (or remiera) to relax and find refreshment after a particularly taxing uscita (or outing), and is generally much more of a local hangout than tourist place. Before Sunday afternoon games of the Venetian soccer team you'll sometimes find groups of fans in green, orange and black fortifying themselves for the action ahead. I snapped this picture on the way home from my own practice session at the remiera tonight--I'm trying to get the hang of vogata alla valesana (a solo form of rowing using two crossed oars)--and was reminded yet again how very much I need a tripod: leaning the camera against the corner of a building and trying to hold it still for a slow shutter speed has some serious limitations.
And in addition you are trying to learn rowing "alla valesana"...I've got the impression that you are getting more Venetian than most Venetians!
ReplyDeleteAlas, I can only aspire to Venetianhood, Francesco, but two days ago I was excited to be able to row my wife and son out into the lagoon "alla valesana". Before that, I had only been practicing in il bacino within the walls of the Arsenale. Era molto ondoso, e c'era vento, ma era bellissimo!
DeleteInstead of getting a ride like Yvonne I my ask you if you willing to give some tips for la valesana once you have good practice since I do not even know where to start. Actually I'm only ok at rowing in front, my technique and practice not good enough to be "on the driving seat".
DeleteUsually when coming to Venice I'm going out with my son (4 years old too) and my father with his sampierota.
I'd be happy to pass along whatever I know, but think I should arrange to get more tips from a friend, an agonista, who has rowed for 40 years (since he was 5). I can get around pretty well now alla valesana on the lagoon, but I need to improve my technique.
DeletePerhaps we can make un' uscita some time in a mascaretta, two person, or practice the valesana in the bacino of the remiera.
The sampierota are beautiful! We saw one on the lagoon the other night. I would like to learn more about them.
Around mid-September I'll be there with my son and we can arrange un'uscita with the sampierota, either for rowing or for a visit to i "Tedeschi" al bacan di Sant'Erasmo (such a nice plan for una fritturina).
DeleteThat sounds great. Most of my son's friends speak only Italian so he is happy to speak either Italian or English and will be excited to meet a new friend.
DeleteHi, this is my mail: ftonno@yahoo.com. It will be the 21-23 Sept.
DeleteJust in case you ever get lonely producing this blog, I want to let you know how much I enjoy and look forward to your posts and perspective as a resident of Venice. Thanks for sharing your photos and stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks so very much for your comment. There are a lot of excellent blogs on Venice and sometimes I wonder if all I can ever really be is redundant, so I really appreciate your reassurance that you find this blog worth your time.
DeleteSiggie, I may hire you to row me to some of the lagoon islands, so keep up with that practice. Man, it must be hot, rowing in Venice, these days. (181 days.)
ReplyDeleteIf I become adept enough to offer rides you won't have to worry about payment, Yvonne--only my ability to return us safely to the remiera without enlisting you as an additional rower!
DeleteThere's been a break in the heat over the last few days, though it seems to be warming up again. But it's worth bearing the heat to be out on the water in the evening. (During mid-day? Impossible.)
Ho giocato molto nel giardino dietro l`osteria,lamia amica (che era la figlia dei padroni ) si chiama Marisa.Quanti bei ricordi.
Deleteanna pasquetin
It is, fortunately, still an area that is relatively little affected by tourist crowds, Anna; it might still seem familiar to you.
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