MY ARTICLE ON GHUMAKKAR
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| LAMP POST WITH PIGEONS |
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| VIEW FROM THE FERRY |
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| ONE OF THE STRUCTURAL MARVEL |
Venice is a city of many petite islands, improved during the middle Ages.
The soil was dredged to elevate the marshy floor above the tides. The canals
thus formed lead to a nautical culture to thrive. In today’s times this culture
still flourishes and the canals serve as means of conveyance for both the
people and goods. Because of its car free zone Venice is free of the trail of carbon
footprints left by the beasts of modern times- engulfing most cities today.
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| THE BRIDE & HER GROOM |
As
we waited for the Gondola ride we witnessed a beautiful photo shoot of a
blushing bride in white and the suave bridegroom. The kids again found an
entertainment option not quiet realized by most adults. They were fascinated by
the beautiful tiny pet dogs stylized and dressed up. They clicked snaps of and
with the furry bundles of joy- cuddling and petting them.
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| FURRY JOY |
We had to literally
pull and shove them into the gondola. The Gongola’s were decked up in their
finery and we felt the romantic vibes taking grip of us. The Gondola man even
obliged us with a romantic Italian song. As the sun began to be knocked off to
sleep, the soothing gondola ride, the expanding twilight, just beginning to be bejeweled
by the glittery stars, the soft folds of ripple on the water –was beginning to
intoxicate us.
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| GONDOLA |
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| A CHANNEL OF GRAND CANAL |
While my son followed the boatman’s song with “row row row your
boat”-my daughter’s lively imagination propelled her to the way people in the
olden times. The gondola swerved into smaller water channels, compressed by the
rows of houses projecting on either side. The baloneys of most houses were
decorated by a riot of colorful flowers. I imagined fair maiden peeping out of
the balcony, glancing shyly at the boatman who had purposefully directed his
boat there-to glance at lady of his heart…hmmm I know too vivid imagination-but
that’s was just the Gondola ride playing tricks on my mind.
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| A HOUSES LINING THE CANAL |
After the relaxing ride we thought it best to return to the restaurant and
grab some much needed food and rest.
We woke up rejuvenated the next day ready
for new adventures. We took a ferry for our visits to the islands
in Venice. The ferry gave us 30 min to 2hrs time (depending on what the Island
had to offer) to raid the marvels of these delightful Island.
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| ON THE WAY TO THE ISLANDS |
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| COLORFUL DWELLINGS |
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| POMEGRANATE TREE |
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| WILD FLOWERS |
We were fascinated
by the simplest things like the colorful and vibrant houses, the cobbled
streets, the modest hand pumps, and the abounding nature. The children
delighted in the many unlikely things like wild flowers, cocks, hens and farm
animals, insects and even the snails on the ferns. We realized how far we were
from nature and how artificial our lives were – our every moment dictated and
guided by technology.
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| A LONE SNAIL |
Time passed unconstrained here, and
we wanted to relish each tiny speck of this world leisurely. I loved every hand
crafted product that was displayed- from the brocade table cloth, to the small
dresses, to the handmade biscuit and chocolate. I even wanted to pack and take
home the beautifully designed wedding gowns.
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| DISPLAYS IN A SHOP |
The amused smile on my husband’s
lips shoved me back to reality. Had it not been for the constant nudging of my punctual
hubby, we would have missed the bus- opps the boat- each time. Habits do die
hard- but this time my husband’s sticky habit served us well.
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| AN ABANDONED FACTORY |
At one of the island’s we saw an amazing glass museum and were given a demo
about this amazing craft. It was astounding to watch the scorched glass guided
by the dexterous hands of the skilled craftsman into a beautiful vase, a dainty
horse, a sleek statue within seconds.
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| A GLASS MARVEL |
The glass shop was full of enticing souvenirs
and stunning functional items like clocks, decorative etc. When we returned to
our boat for the ride back home we were drained off all strength but our heart
willed us to invade more islands, and take pleasure in their glory.
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| A CHURCH IN AN ISLAND |
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| LIGHTS OF THE SKY |
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| FLOWERY GLORY |
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| A WINGED LION |
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| A GETTY |
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| FOAMY PATH |
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| WATER EXPLORATION |
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