Shopping in Venice #2of2

In 1988 we were shopping for gifts for Emmy’s cousins double 49th wedding anniversary — Hugo and Maria, and Köbus and Fina were married on the same day, in 1939. We looked and looked, and decided on identical Venetian glass vases with a gold halo effect on the inside — seemed appropriate for an almost 50th anniversary. The price ranged from 90,000 L in St. Mark’s Square, to 68,000 L a few blocks from there, and 28,000 L near Rialto Bridge. Can’t imagine what the difference could be, except for the cost of rent for the store.

The storekeeper, near the Rialto Bridge, only had one vase left. Since he was closing for the season the next day, he gave us a good price, and said the vases would cost more next year. At his request, a storekeeper a couple of stores away, matched his price for the second vase. Boy were they heavy to carry for the rest of the day, and back to the campsite.

In late 1988 it had been very cold when we were in Venice, and in 1989 it was raining while Emmy was on a “Venetian glass bead” hunt. On more than one year (we’ve visited here 7 times) she bought several necklaces and bracelets. She doesn’t have several necks, wrists, etc., but she does have a lot of friends. One storekeeper remembered Emmy from the previous year, and sold her glass beads at a good price.

We had an enjoyable conversation with an English speaking storekeeper. He is a retired music professor and had played with a symphony orchestra, if we understood that part of the story correctly. His 700 sq. ft. Venice home is located maybe 75 feet from his store, and he said it would cost maybe 500,000,000L, ($385,000). He said the outside may look like it’s falling down, but on the inside it’s beautiful, and filled with expensive, elegant, antique furniture.

He pantomimed American tourists, with the wife striding through Venice, and her husband following, handing money to her on demand. And the Italian couple, with the woman in the lead, but the husband in back is saying, “… not so much money, not so fast!”

He also said the Government should renovate some of the buildings near St. Mark’s, so tourists have a place to rest their feet, and other things that might need resting. He said both the tourists and the local citizens would appreciate nice facilities.