Regatta

Today was a big day. In the morning a boat race and in the afternoon a regatta. The boat race was open to anyone and there were thousands! Kayaks, 2 men canoes, 20 men rowers, you name it....the basin was full. I have attached some pics for you. Then later this evening, there was the 52nd annual Race of the Historic Marine Republics. This is a competition between Venice, Genoa, Pisa, and Amalfi. As I write this, the regatta is going on. It is pouring rain again tonight so I only stayed out long enough to see the parade of the 4 cities. I have attached some of those pics also. If you notice the pic with the water, Aqua Alta is on its way again tonight...there are usually 4-5 steps showing there and at that time there was barely 2! Lets hope Venice wins this year!

Its about 65 degrees and windy outside with the rain. Its bearable but the real problem is the umbrella war out there. With thousands and thousands of people walking around, you really could get your eye poked out! After the parade, the crowd dispersed and the streets were packed. Most of the streets are about 5-6 feet wide, so imagine hundreds with umbrellas trying to go in both directions. Chaos..dogs and cats living together! The police started coming to try to make people follow the rules of the road (you know, stay to the right), but it really is riot material! Its one of those things that you have to be there to understand and not something you want to experience more than once!

So now I am home in my warm robe drinking cappuccino and all is right in the world!