Julianne's blog

Venice-Music

Julianne — Sat, 7 Jun 2008 13:04:37 -0500

Music-Venice. The words used to be almost synonymous: There was a time when music poured from churches and hospitalsÑyes, hospitals. Hospitals were part musical academies, as well as places where the poor and destitute could go to live or die while listening to heavenly chants and choruses. Music...

Venice then and now-coffee at the Gritti Palace

Julianne — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:50:10 -0500

Went to meet a friend for breakfast on Saturday morning: she and her husband were in Venice for a few days, about to embark on a cruise along the Adriatic. She emailed me they were staying at the Gritti Palace. The Gritti Palace! Can I come to your hotel, I asked.

If you've seen the Woody Allen movie,...

A New Day

Julianne — Sat, 17 May 2008 12:47:42 -0500

Here in Venice, so much happens in such a short time and space. Life is pressing all around, and the past mingles with the the present. Waking at dawn, I go out for a quick walk. A couple of people are already up and about, moving swiftly and silently. The bakery door is open, light on, smells of bread...

Marriage to the Sea-late for the wedding

Julianne — Mon, 12 May 2008 05:06:32 -0500

Sunday, May 4, 2008

It started as a perfect day, with more sun than shade and a light breeze ruffling the water.

It was the day of the Festa della Sensa, when the Doge of the Republic of Venice used to sail out in his Bucintoro and cast a ring into the sea. The Bucintoro, the magnificent two deck...

The River Po

Julianne — Sat, 3 May 2008 11:12:52 -0500

Yesterday my friend G. set off on a long-planned for journey. He and his colleagues are rowing and sailing down the River Po. The Po, Italy’s longest river, flows through many kinds of habitats, and has historically hosted large varieties of fish. But the Po is in danger. The progressive degradation...

Living in Venice

Julianne — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 10:15:30 -0500

April 25, 2008

Today is a festa, the day of San Marco, patron saint of Venice, and the day of the Italian Liberation at the close of WWII. It's a glorious day, sunny and warm, and the wisteria are blooming everywhere. There are street fairs selling all manner of things, a lot of great bargains...