Bob and I are not “partiers.”  We are usually in bed by 9:30 or 10:00.  Splitting a beer leaves us light-headed.  We avoid large crowds.  So when we learned that our planned day in Venice with Lisa fell during Venice’s Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia), we were concerned.  We heard stories of massive crowds.  “Avoid San Marco Square, it will be a madhouse!”  We heard stories of raucous behavior.  “Watch out!  People go crazy!”  We heard stories of navigation nightmares.  “Streets are blocked off or converted to one-way corridors.  It will take hours to get anywhere!”

It was too late to reschedule our Venice day, so we had one choice:  figure out what this festival was all about, then join the party.  We learned that this annual event began as far back as 1100.  It has come and gone over the years, and in 1979 the Italian government made Carnevale the centerpiece of its efforts to rejuvenate Venice’s history and culture.  Through all its years, the event has featured elaborate masks.  Today as many as three million people come annually to the Carnival, many wearing masks and costumes.  I do not know if this has brought back Venice’s history and culture, but it certainly draws happy crowds!

The crowd warnings were spot on.  We could not believe the numbers of people pouring into St. Mark’s Square (a large plaza by St. Mark’s Basilica).

And there were, indeed, fantastic masks and costumes.  Those in the most elaborate costumes posed for photos.

We decided to follow the adage “When in Venice, do as the Venetians do.”  We went mask shopping and wore masks all day!  Even Bob joined the fun.

The crowds were intense, and occasionally my inner party-pooper emerged.  But along the way we found refuge from the frenzy.  Frari Church was quiet and relaxing with its lovely carvings and paintings.

When our energy flagged, we found that cappuccinos, gelato, and meringues revived our party spirits.

Remarkably, even during this festive and crowded time Venice retained its colorful, watery beauty.

I knew I would learn a lot in Venice—about history, art, human endeavor.  But I did not know I would learn that large crowds and annual festivals are not all bad.  As usual, my initial impression was wrong.  Carnevale di Venezia was worth the party plunge!

Sally