Tourist Season

Florence, Italy, May 1984. Oh, it's always tourist season in Florence.

Flight

Venice, Italy, April 1984. If you visit Venice, then expect—and accept—tourists (and pigeons).

A Calm Campo

Venice, Italy, June 1989. We're approaching the Campo San Pietro di Castello. The campo is in a neighborhood tourists rarely visit.

A Different View of the Piazza

Venice, Italy, June 1989. We climb the Campanile when the Piazza San Marco has few tourists.

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.)

Flocking to the Tourists

Venice, Italy, April 1984. Visitors gather near the Marciana Library.

Neighborhood

Venice, Italy, Spring 1984. Much of Venice—behind the landmarks—looks like this.

Arsenale Reunion

Venice, Italy, June 1989. Mr. Irene and I explore the area around the Arsenale. It's a good place to get a feel for everyday Venice.

Insectothopter

The "Insectothopter" is one of the items on display at the CIA Museum.
 
There are more pieces from the collection here. My Dad would have loved the pipe radio. Some items are more primitive, even if "[d]etails of pigeon missions are still classified."

The Finest Drawing Room

Venice, Italy, June 1989. The subject of Napoleon Bonaparte first arose on this blog because of his connection to Lithuania. When I look at this photo, I recall Napoleon's impact on Venice. Napoleon called the Piazza San Marco "the most beautiful drawing room in Europe," and I imagine Napoleon had a view similar to this one when he made that observation.

Sweet Memory

Venice, Italy, April 1984. My Mother and I relax at the Campo dei Frari, near the Archivio dello Stato, where I did research for my dissertation.