Ed in Europe - Part 9

Venice -- "Behind the Tourist Spots"

Many folks from all over the world visit Venice, its canals, gondolas, etc. etc.  Thanks to our "Competitour," we had the unique opportunities to go over to "other side of the rope" at several spots.  

E.G. Instead of just seeing /buying some Venetian glass, we got to blow /sculpt some glassware under the tutelage of an expert glass-maker.

Here I am at the entrance to Vetreria Artistica Colleon --

The same family has been making glass for 400+ yrs(!) on Venice's Murano Island. Inside are many galleries of their magnificent glass works. Here is Hans w/ some of our group in one of the galleries --

But unlike all other visitors, we received instruction from a master and had the chance to "sculpt" some molten glass for ourselves. Here I am working under the signor's direction (he's on the right), attempting to sculpt a 'fish.'

 Note the orange glow of the molten glass balls on end of rods. The open glass-furnace is on far right.  The place was hot! (By the way, my 'fish' was a mess. We now really appreciated the skill as well as the artistry involved!)

Here are some glass mosaics that Hans and I hand-crafted while there --

ANOTHER unique opportuity was not only to learn about the centuries-old tradition of fashionable-face masks in Venice, but to go into a workshop and learn how to make them!  Here are the fruits of Hans' and my efforts --

Hans' facial cut he received while 'Alpine Coasting' in Switzerland earlier in the trip had caused some of the folks to call him "Harry (Potter)". That explains the mask he made (lower left). About mine? (lower right)  While I was born in the Chinese Year of the Dog, it had more to do with the fact that in general, I just love dogs.

Well Folks, That's all for now.

In the the next and last Post about my special trip w/ Son Hans to Europe, I'll finish up Venice and share a few reflections... especially what I learned about myself... and life...

--Ed