Brunch with Battutah
Wading pool
Posted by Michael Skorulski (Cigel, Slovakia) on 18 June 2008 in Cityscape & Urban and Portfolio.
High tides in Venice, Italy can trap tourists in their hotels or cause them to
wander the streets on raised walkways (seen in the background). Piazza San Marco (here) can turn into a wading pool as the sea rises above the level of the dock (seen in the background.) It is a very good idea to take rubber boots to Venice
I once took off my shoes and walked barefoot through the flooded streets. An older Venetian woman stopped me and lamented that I should be made to walk unshod by the unruly elements. At the train station, I put my shoes on again and watched arriving locals donning rubber boots before descending into the watery thoroughfares. It seemed all very romantic and made me love Venice even more.
Michael Rawluk from Prince George, Canada
I will remember to pack my rubber boots.
18 Jun 2008 5:59am
@Michael Rawluk: I didn't know you needed them and suffered with wet feet. Thank you, Michael.
@Saeed: Thank you, Saeed.
@Paul van der Meer: Thank you very much, Paul.
@Alun Lambert: Many thanks, Alun.
astrise from Shunfu, Singapore
There's a certain weirdness to wading through regularly flooded streets. What a wonderful place.
18 Jun 2008 8:02am
@astrise: There certainly is and I enjoyed it although I know the floods are harming this beautiful city. Thank you, Astrise.
António Pires from Lisbon, Portugal
The light is superb. Who said that one cannot be original in Venice?
18 Jun 2008 9:18am
@António Pires: Yes, there is lots to be original about. Thank you, António.
MadScientist from Düsseldorf, Germany
Interesting shot! The caterers there seem to be rather hard-boiled as they don't even rack up their chairs and desks.
18 Jun 2008 9:59am
@MadScientist: I guess they're expecting customers when the water subsides. Many thanks, MS.
Observing from Chester, United Kingdom
Perhaps taking a rubber boat would be a good idea...! I love that view of the the cafe terrace under water, not many customers. Good impression of the watery city.
18 Jun 2008 9:59am
@Observing: Thanks, Mike. Yes, a small inflatable boat would be very helpful for the deeper streets.
Betty from New Jersey, United States
Very interesting, Michael... love the shot and the comment!
18 Jun 2008 10:08am
@Betty: Thank you, Betty.
Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada
How amazing, both the photo and your short story, love it :)
18 Jun 2008 10:10am
@Lorraine: Thanks, Lorraine. I'm happy you liked both.
@QUIM: Many thanks for your comment.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
A fascinating observation about a truly fascinating and beautiful city. You've captured such a lovely array of elements in this photograph Michael: tourists, a majestic, stately building with its columns, the billowy awning, the gorgeous lamp posts, the water, and the man in the rubber boots. I can easily see how one would fall in love with Venice!
18 Jun 2008 10:27am
@Ron: Yes, it has that effect. A delightful comment. thank you, Ron.
Andres Abon from Plano, United States
Wow, I didn't realize this. I went to Venice but it was not high tide. It's a beautiful place. Very interesting and nice shot!
18 Jun 2008 12:04pm
@Andres Abon: Many thanks, Andres.
@saeed: Thank you, Saeed.
paulski from Muncie, IN, United States
nice image; what a gorgeous building in the background. thanks for sharing the story, too...
18 Jun 2008 1:00pm
@paulski: A pleasure. Thank you, Paulski.
Fliss from Melbourne Beach, United States
Thanks for that advice... I had heard that it flooded... I will remember if I ever go to Venice to take some rubber boots... hehe... wonder if a fish comes up to the sidewalk for a swim... hehe
18 Jun 2008 1:11pm
@Fliss: I would not be surprised. thank you, Fliss.
@Stefan: Thank you, Stefan.
alex centrella from California, United States
great shot, like how you got everything in the image.
18 Jun 2008 2:28pm
@alex centrella: Thank you, Alex.
Rags from Plano, United States
This is a really interesting shot. The people in the image seem undisturbed by the water. The women to the left (as well as you) are even taking pictures!
18 Jun 2008 2:52pm
@Rags: You are right. The floods are common there and people adjust to them. They are building barriers but they may be a long way off. thank you, Rags.
Calusarus from St Sorlin en Valloire, France
Aqua Alta : one of the most impressive meeting in Venice. And noone know how the MOSE project will really work.
18 Jun 2008 3:20pm
@Calusarus: I hope it works because the place is so worth saving. Thank you, Calusarus.
MJ from Delaware, United States
I didn't have that problem when I was there..... but this is a great capture
18 Jun 2008 4:53pm
@MJ: It happens mostly in the winter, I hear. Thanks, MJ.
Marion from Nanaimo, BC, Canada
What an incredible story and place and picture. Captivating picture Michael.
18 Jun 2008 5:35pm
@Marion: That's a delightful comment. Thank you, Marion.
@M. Isabel: Many thanks, Isabel.
Sammi from New Jersey, United States
I see other people taking pictures over there by the column. What a nice view of whats going on. I feel so bad for that guy in the water with his shopping bag!
18 Jun 2008 8:07pm
@Sammi: The people adapt quite nicely to inevitable high tide floods. Thank you, Sammi.
Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States
I think this is an interesting way to adapt to the conditions around you. Great photo.
18 Jun 2008 8:07pm
@Viewfinder: Thank you, VF.
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
I had heard of these high tides problems in Venice, but never seen a picture of it. Thanks for sharing this nicely composed shot Michael.
18 Jun 2008 8:33pm
@standley: Many thanks, Richard.
Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States
The photo alone wouldn't have told what was going on,, so your text added to the clear shot tells a full story.
This is a wonderful composition, Michael.
18 Jun 2008 8:38pm
@Judy: Thank you, Judy.
vu@granby - Gilles Martineau from Granby, Québec, Canada
I've been in Venise but I didn't realize that high tides could flooded the place. I've never seen that in touristic pamphlets, thanks for the info picture, next time I will bring my rubber boots.
18 Jun 2008 11:16pm
@vu@granby - Gilles Martineau: Many thanks, Gilles.
Suzanne Labbé from Granby, Canada
Great picture - I love the tones. If I ever go to Venice, I'll be careful :o)))
19 Jun 2008 12:35am
@Suzanne Labbé: Thank you, Suzanne.
Arash from Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Very good ;) I will take rubber boots during my trip to Venice! so educational ;)
19 Jun 2008 7:53am
@Arash: Many thanks.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
I have heard about Venice flooding at high tide but didn't see it whilst I was there, but we did get an almighty thunderstorm as we were leaving, and the locals knew it way before we had it sussed, they were busy closing up the little stalls and at the Cafe in this photo, they were bringing in the sun shades etc, Sun to torrential rain in 60seconds!
Gosh I was rambling there! lol nearly forgot to say what a fantastic shot this is Michael :)
19 Jun 2008 10:43am
@MaryB: A great story. Thank you, Mary.
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
I think I need to go back to bed! this is the link to an episode of the Venice series!!! that I should have posted. His house is amazing.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SBoHska-RjA&feature=related
19 Jun 2008 11:04am
@MaryB: Thanks so much, Mary.
@Daroru: And it continues to function well. Many thanks, Daroru.
iVahid from Norway
OMG, what happened to the lovely Venice! :( I hope everything will change soon!
21 Jun 2008 2:51pm
@iVahid: Yes, it floods regularly because of very high tides. Thank you, iVahid.
Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan
Well, it might be the beginning of a movie..."Waterworl II". Many beautiful details here, Michael! I like the street lamps, they have a most romantic shape and look so well coming straight out of water as do the chairs and tables.The light you captured is very beautiful,too! I like to LOOK at it, I don't like the idea of going there. In winter it might be less expensive, but you wet your feet; in summer, it is both expensive and crowded and....I heard.... it stinks (?)
23 Jun 2008 8:50am
@Japanalia: I would prefer to go in winter again but take high boots like the locals. Thanks so much, Gabriela.
