Sigh as you cross.

Venice, Italy, April 1984. Interpret the name of the bridge as you like.

We step off the gondola.

Jasper, Alberta, Canada, July 1968. Our tour of the Canadian Rockies brings us to the top.

Back Street

Venice, Italy, November 1983. It's the easiest way to get to work.

From the Other Side

Venice, Italy, April 1984. We're at the Campo dei Frari.

Venice in Winter

Venice, Italy, December 1983. Most of the boats one sees on the winter canals are not gondolas.

"Christmas in Italy"

These images make me "homesick."

Paddling Santas

In Vilnius, Lithuania.

ADDED: In Venice, the Santas row.

More here from the hometown of Mr. Irene's Dad.

Parking

Venice, Italy, May 1984. You rarely see a gondola once you get into the residential areas.

Fear of Heights

Venice, Italy, June 1989. I climbed to the top of the Campanile only once.

(Here's my preferred view; here's the café. Here's a reason to avoid the piazzetta.)

Venice, without Tourists

John Ruskin's daguerreotypes.

Santa Regatta

Santas grace the Grand Canal.

Thanks to my childhood Best Friend for catching that post.

Quiet-Canal Reunion

Venice, Italy, April 1984. The gondoliero still wears his winter uniform.

"Both videos are set in Venice, but while the American singer rolled around sensually in a gondola, the nun sings in various landmarks wearing a habit."

Sister Cristina covers "Like a Virgin:"

Workshop Reunion

Venice, Italy, April 1984. Here's another view of the gondola workshop.

Ready for the Season

Venice, Italy, April 1984. Gondolas wait for tourists near a hotel.

Rainy Reunion

Venice, Italy, November 1983. That's how things are supposed to look at this time of year.

Spring Tourists

Venice, Italy, April 1984. The crowds swell on the Rialto Bridge during the Easter holiday.

"Google Gondola"

Google Street View does Venice.

Thanks to my friend Donna for directing me to this story.

Parking

Venice, Italy, April 1984. The gondolas await the next group of tourists.

It's time for the Venetian Regata.

"As soon as the gondolinos cross the finish line, all the spectators' boats try to leave at once. It's about as convenient as everybody trying to get out of a movie theatre within five minutes after the end of the film."