From Our Friends at ANSA.it:
Restaurant fined for lobster abuse
Crustaceans kept on ice rather than in water tank (ANSA) - Vicenza, April 26 -
A restaurant operator has been fined 688 euros for allegedly mistreating lobsters which were on display for potential customers, the local press reported.
The fine was the result of a complaint filed in March 2002 by a former activist from Italy's animal protection agency ENPA.
The 34-year restaurant operator was accused of keeping the lobsters on ice rather than in a water tank.
The fine was levied despite the restaurant operator's request for the opinion of an expert and he has appealed.
According to the restaurateur, four years ago there were no specific guidelines on maintaining live lobsters, regulations which entered the law books only in 2004.
The general opinion of lobstermen is that a hard shell lobster can survive out of the water for 24 hours or more, while soft shell lobsters, those which are re-growing their shells after shedding, are best kept in water.
They also maintain that lobsters, sometimes referred to as the 'cockroaches of the sea', do not suffer, for example when they are thrown into boiling water for cooking. Most lobsters in Italy are hard shells and arrive from northern Europe and North America packed in ice.
The local press here noted that the case has given the restaurant operator some excellent, free publicity.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Kiss the Pigeons, If You Really Have to...
Here's an article from the Associated Press as a follow-up to my previous post about the pigeons in San marco and the bird flu. So, if you really, really, really have to kiss the pigeons...
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Maybe You Can Kiss the Pigeons....
Foll9owing on a previous post about the San marco pigeons and bird flu, here's a follow-up story from the Associated Press:
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/M. SPENCER GREEN
Other News Video
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
Interactive
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Bird Flu Strain Could Be Hard to Spot
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Web Link
U.S. Government Info on Pandemic Flu
Buy AP Photo Reprints
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/M. SPENCER GREEN
Other News Video
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
Interactive
Fighting the Flu
Latest Flu News
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
U.S. Poultry Farms Defend Against Bird Flu
Poll Shows Fear of Bird Flu Widespread
Poll: Doubts Over U.S. Bird Flu Plans
China Reports 12th Death From Bird Flu
Bird Flu Strain Could Be Hard to Spot
Official: Virus May Affect Poultry Sales
Flock-Killing Planned if Bird Flu Found
Experts Say Elderly Need Better Flu Shot
A Tourism Mecca, Hawaii Braces for Flu
Web Link
U.S. Government Info on Pandemic Flu
Buy AP Photo Reprints
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Thursday, April 13, 2006
What About Bird Flu?
A recent Associated Press article tells how Key West officials are worried that the famous (infamous?) chickens that roam around the city could be carriers of the bird flu. They're talking about rounding the 2,000 to 3,000 chickens that are wandering around town. I wonder if Venetian authorities are thinking about the pigeons in San Marco and what they'll do if the bird flu strikes? I don't want to be an alarmist, but--please don't kiss the pigeons, feed them, or let them climb all over you.
Monday, April 10, 2006
It Could Only Happen in Venice...
I'm still sorting through my photos and notes from my March trip--it was so great! In the meantime, you'll have to amuse yourselves with this newsflash from our friendss at Buongiorno Venezia. As they say, this type of accident can only happen in Venice:
"It's the kind of accident that can happen only in Venice. Last Friday in Strada Nova, the crowded street which leads to the railway station, two handcarts that were transporting bottles of wine and spirits collided, one lost a wheel, skidded, and knocked down an English tourist. The woman fell, along with the shattering glass bottles, and suffered a severe laceration that, doctors at a nearby hospital said, would take ten days to heal. While it is a uniquely Venetian accident, it's not likely to provide very pleasant memories for the tourist and her family who may never again think about Venetian glass in quite the same way."
Watch out for those flying wine bottles! How do you say "duck" in Italian?
"It's the kind of accident that can happen only in Venice. Last Friday in Strada Nova, the crowded street which leads to the railway station, two handcarts that were transporting bottles of wine and spirits collided, one lost a wheel, skidded, and knocked down an English tourist. The woman fell, along with the shattering glass bottles, and suffered a severe laceration that, doctors at a nearby hospital said, would take ten days to heal. While it is a uniquely Venetian accident, it's not likely to provide very pleasant memories for the tourist and her family who may never again think about Venetian glass in quite the same way."
Watch out for those flying wine bottles! How do you say "duck" in Italian?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Miss Manners Writes About Venice
I came across this today:
"In addition to her most recent book, 'Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (Freshly Updated),' published in April 2005, Martin has written 10 other Miss Manners books and two novels. She is currently working on a non-fiction book, 'No Vulgar Hotel,' depicting Venice, Italy, through the eyes of travelers, past and present."
Miss Manners (Judith Martin) is a syndicated columnist who tries to bring some sense and civility to our world--I can't wait to read her advice for Venice! If you want to read the rest of the article (warning: there's nothing else about Venice in it.)
"In addition to her most recent book, 'Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (Freshly Updated),' published in April 2005, Martin has written 10 other Miss Manners books and two novels. She is currently working on a non-fiction book, 'No Vulgar Hotel,' depicting Venice, Italy, through the eyes of travelers, past and present."
Miss Manners (Judith Martin) is a syndicated columnist who tries to bring some sense and civility to our world--I can't wait to read her advice for Venice! If you want to read the rest of the article (warning: there's nothing else about Venice in it.)
Sunday, April 02, 2006
I Missed My Anniversary
Weird Venice turned 1 on March 28--and I missed it! Thanks to everyone who's been reading it--and extra thanks to those who have the courage to comment! I just downloaded the photos from my recent trip and promise to post some details soon.
Monday, March 13, 2006
I'm Going Back!!
Don't worry if you don't see any new entries for a while--I'm on my way to Venice. I promise to post lots of photos, etc. when I get back. On this trip, I plan to....
Venice Channel Coming to US Television
Thanks to Kathy McCabe from the Dream of Italy Travel Blog for sending me this article.
from ANSA.it news:
Venice Channel to target United States and China (ANSA) - Venice, March 13 - The many facets of Venice are to be spotlighted in a new satellite TV channel, Venice Channel.
The new channel, sponsored by Venice's town council, aims to promote the famed lagoon city as an emblem of Italian beauty and style around the world - with the United States and China being prime targets.
"We'll be transmitting on the Hotbird satellite from May with all programmes in high definition," said Venice Channel CEO Fabrizio Zago.
Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari said: "This is a great idea which aims to boost mass tourism. It can promote a new image of Venice, outside the usual cliches' of San Marco, the Rialto and gondoliers". "Venice is a lot more than that".
The channel has many sections: great Italian opera from the Verona arena, a look inside sumptuous Venetian palazzi from the classical period to the avant-garde, 'Hidden Venice' and As You Eat it: cooking lessons by a Venetian noble who offers tips on enjoying the highest-class cusine with the proper dining etiquette.
There will also be a chance to discover the best of Renaissance Venice and a section entitled Italianize Me, tongue-in-cheek lessons for Italy-lovers who have trouble understanding Italians.
from ANSA.it news:
Venice Channel to target United States and China (ANSA) - Venice, March 13 - The many facets of Venice are to be spotlighted in a new satellite TV channel, Venice Channel.
The new channel, sponsored by Venice's town council, aims to promote the famed lagoon city as an emblem of Italian beauty and style around the world - with the United States and China being prime targets.
"We'll be transmitting on the Hotbird satellite from May with all programmes in high definition," said Venice Channel CEO Fabrizio Zago.
Venice Mayor Massimo Cacciari said: "This is a great idea which aims to boost mass tourism. It can promote a new image of Venice, outside the usual cliches' of San Marco, the Rialto and gondoliers". "Venice is a lot more than that".
The channel has many sections: great Italian opera from the Verona arena, a look inside sumptuous Venetian palazzi from the classical period to the avant-garde, 'Hidden Venice' and As You Eat it: cooking lessons by a Venetian noble who offers tips on enjoying the highest-class cusine with the proper dining etiquette.
There will also be a chance to discover the best of Renaissance Venice and a section entitled Italianize Me, tongue-in-cheek lessons for Italy-lovers who have trouble understanding Italians.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Check Out the Carnavale
I don't know if they call it "Fat Tuesday" in Venice, but it's the last day of Carnavale. Lent arrives on Wednesday, so it's time to party. Check out this webcam to see what's going on in San Marco. The image is small, but it's fun to watch.
If you can't get to Venice in time, this site has some great photos of past carnivals.
If you can't get to Venice in time, this site has some great photos of past carnivals.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Pickpockets Beware!
Venice is a great place to work--if you're a pickpocketer. It's the perfect environment: Crowded vaporetti. Crowded calles. Tourists overcome by the splendor of Venice--and not paying attention to the hand slipping into a purse, pocket, or backpack.
But now, according to an article in Slate, Venetians are fighting back. "A civilian antipickpocket patrol called Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. Members, who call themselves 'Citizens,' walk around Venice looking for pickpockets."
The "Citizens" or "Guardian Angels of Tourists" pay a small fee for membership in Cittadini Non Distratti and won't let the papers photograph them, so the pickpocketers don't recognize them. (The pickpocketers say they do recognize them.) Is it working? The region's chief justice thinks it is.
But now, according to an article in Slate, Venetians are fighting back. "A civilian antipickpocket patrol called Cittadini Non Distratti, or Undistracted Citizens. Members, who call themselves 'Citizens,' walk around Venice looking for pickpockets."
The "Citizens" or "Guardian Angels of Tourists" pay a small fee for membership in Cittadini Non Distratti and won't let the papers photograph them, so the pickpocketers don't recognize them. (The pickpocketers say they do recognize them.) Is it working? The region's chief justice thinks it is.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
City of Falling Angels NOT a Hit in Venice
The New York Times has an interesting article about John Berendt's book, THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS. A follow-up to Berendt's wildly success MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, it's set in Venice and is supposed to be the story of tracking down the arsonists responsible for the destructive fire at La Fenice in 1996.
According to the article, Venice is not amused by the book. "He took the fire, an event that was critical for the city, and told it from a narrow point of view," Mr. Chiarot [the director of marketing and communications for La Fenice] said. "It was a serious story and he reduced it to gossip."
I have mixed feelings about the book. In the end, its seems that Berendt was more interested in collecting a bunch of weird characters," then he was in investigating the La Fenice fire. That said, I want to end with a quote from the book. It's my favorite part:
"I don’t know why Americans can’t come to Venice and just have a good time, instead of coming here and beating their breasts. You know what I mean? It’s this thing of having to come here on a mission. Why must they come to Venice to save it? It’s nice, of course, the money they give. But it doesn’t have anything to do with generosity. It means they want to look important. And, really, it’s just a drop in the ocean. They should come and have a good time. Period. Right? Walk around. See some paintings. Go to some restaurants, like they do in other cities. Americans don’t go to Paris to save Paris, do they? Right? When you see a five-hundred-year-old Venetian building, it may be a bit shabby and possibly even in danger. But you can’t describe it as ‘decaying.’ It has endured five hundred years! The ‘decaying Venice’ is all a big myth. That’s what I mean about Save Venice. Forget it. Venice will save itself. Go save Paris!" (From THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS, by John Berendt, The Penguin Press, 2005, pg. 328-329)
According to the article, Venice is not amused by the book. "He took the fire, an event that was critical for the city, and told it from a narrow point of view," Mr. Chiarot [the director of marketing and communications for La Fenice] said. "It was a serious story and he reduced it to gossip."
I have mixed feelings about the book. In the end, its seems that Berendt was more interested in collecting a bunch of weird characters," then he was in investigating the La Fenice fire. That said, I want to end with a quote from the book. It's my favorite part:
"I don’t know why Americans can’t come to Venice and just have a good time, instead of coming here and beating their breasts. You know what I mean? It’s this thing of having to come here on a mission. Why must they come to Venice to save it? It’s nice, of course, the money they give. But it doesn’t have anything to do with generosity. It means they want to look important. And, really, it’s just a drop in the ocean. They should come and have a good time. Period. Right? Walk around. See some paintings. Go to some restaurants, like they do in other cities. Americans don’t go to Paris to save Paris, do they? Right? When you see a five-hundred-year-old Venetian building, it may be a bit shabby and possibly even in danger. But you can’t describe it as ‘decaying.’ It has endured five hundred years! The ‘decaying Venice’ is all a big myth. That’s what I mean about Save Venice. Forget it. Venice will save itself. Go save Paris!" (From THE CITY OF FALLING ANGELS, by John Berendt, The Penguin Press, 2005, pg. 328-329)
Countdown to the Carnival
Three days until Venice's Carnival (Feb. 18-28). I went to Venice a few years ago to witness the great party for myself and I have to admit that I was not impressed. Too many drunken people screaming and shouting until dawn--and doing it too close to my bedroom window! Too many crowds in the restaurants (and a lof of mediocore food in usually reliable restaurants). As a Venetian friend said, "I told you not to come for Carnival."
However, don't let me stop you! Here's a link to a day-by-day program of events. This is what the introduction to the website says:
"A rich programme of events for this year's Carnival--here divided day-by-day--starting with traditional happenings such as 'The Flight of the Angel' and the 'Feast of the Marie,' and with new ones, such as Maurizio Scaparro's Carnival of Theatre, with performances dedicated to the Chinese cuture and art ('The Dragon and the Lion'), and a line up of shows for children within 'The Unforbidden City'. Young people will gather in the area of Rialto, in Santa Margherita Square and in the Maritime Station, with music and entertainments. Beyond the historical centre, Piazza Ferretto in Mestre will host music and entertainments for young people and children, and city theatres will stage several shows, not to mention the traditional events within the Carnival of the Brenta Riviera and the Terra dei Tiepolo."
However, don't let me stop you! Here's a link to a day-by-day program of events. This is what the introduction to the website says:
"A rich programme of events for this year's Carnival--here divided day-by-day--starting with traditional happenings such as 'The Flight of the Angel' and the 'Feast of the Marie,' and with new ones, such as Maurizio Scaparro's Carnival of Theatre, with performances dedicated to the Chinese cuture and art ('The Dragon and the Lion'), and a line up of shows for children within 'The Unforbidden City'. Young people will gather in the area of Rialto, in Santa Margherita Square and in the Maritime Station, with music and entertainments. Beyond the historical centre, Piazza Ferretto in Mestre will host music and entertainments for young people and children, and city theatres will stage several shows, not to mention the traditional events within the Carnival of the Brenta Riviera and the Terra dei Tiepolo."
Monday, February 06, 2006
Six More Weeks!
Six more weeks until I go back to Venice. I'm homesick. I can't wait to unpack my bags in my apartment (through Views on Venice, as always). Then we're heading to Ristorante Riviera (Tel: +39 041 522 7621, Zattere, opposite Molino Stucky, Dorsoduro) for lunch--this is my current favorite Venetian restaurant. I hope they haven't changed.
Here's my question to all you Venice experts who are reading this: I'm bringing a friend who's never been to Venice and I want to make the first day a memorable one. What should we do after lunch? Should we immediately go to Piazza San Marco? Should we take a vaporetto up and down the Grand Canal? Should we wander around until we're lost and stop for a spritz to rejuvenate ourselves?
Tell me your perfect itinerary for the first day for a first timers. (Our flight lands in the morning. We should be in Venice by noon.) The winning entry will receive a copy of THE FOOD OF VENICE cookbook. I'm the judge and it's purely subjective!
Friday, February 03, 2006
Venice: Most Expensive Public Transportation in Italy
I missed this article, but our sharp friends at Slow Talk noticed it. (By the way, you should ckeck out Slow Talk and Slow Travel. You'll learn a lot about the "slow" way to travel.
Here's the article about Venice's transportation costs. I love Venice's vaporetti, so I don't mind the increase.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT, VENICE, WATER-BUS TICKET 5 EURO
(AGI) - Venice, Feb. 1 - Venice is the most expensive city of Italy for public transport. The water-bus ticket was raised from 3.5 to 5 euro from today. The rise (up 40 pct) does not involve Venice residents who have the so-called Venice card. They pay the ticket only one euro. Tourists and visitors will pay 5 euro and will have reduced timetables because the ticket length passes from 90 minutes to one hour. The 24 hours and 72 hours tickets rose too (from 10.50 to 12 euro and from 22 to 25 euro). The Venice transport company, Actv, said that the fare rises were due to the rise of the fuel price and the cuts made to the company budget by the Veneto region. Over 15 million people visited Venice last years while residents in central Venice are only 60,000.
www.agi.it
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Need a Reason to Watch the Super Bowl?
I'm a football fan, and I'm rooting for the Steelers. I also realize that there are a lot of people who do not enjoy American football. Well, here's another reason to tune in: the commercials are often the best part of the game and this Sunday's Super Bowl will include a commercial starring Fabio, the cover boy of many a romance paperback, floating down the Grand Canal. The following story comes from contractmusic.com:
FABIO TO STAR IN SEXY SUPER BOWL AD
Heart-throb FABIO will try to woo the women watching the American football Super Bowl final on Sunday (05FEB06) with a new advertisement for an insurance company.
The 30-second commercial spoofs Fabio's romantic image with his golden locks flowing while he rows a gondola in Venice, Italy.
When Fabio hands his love interest a rose, she looks up in horror to discover Fabio has become an 85-year-old man.
The ad's cautionary slogan is, "Life comes at you fast."
Fabio says, "The (insurance) company was tired of silly commercials from the competition."
The lothario tells the New York Daily News that he had to endure four and half hours of special effects make-up to authentically age.
When asked if he thinks he'll ever actually look that way he says, "I hope not, but in life you never know."
The Super Bowl is expected to attract 90 million viewers and 30-second ads have sold for a record $2.5 million (GBP1.38 million) each.
FABIO TO STAR IN SEXY SUPER BOWL AD
Heart-throb FABIO will try to woo the women watching the American football Super Bowl final on Sunday (05FEB06) with a new advertisement for an insurance company.
The 30-second commercial spoofs Fabio's romantic image with his golden locks flowing while he rows a gondola in Venice, Italy.
When Fabio hands his love interest a rose, she looks up in horror to discover Fabio has become an 85-year-old man.
The ad's cautionary slogan is, "Life comes at you fast."
Fabio says, "The (insurance) company was tired of silly commercials from the competition."
The lothario tells the New York Daily News that he had to endure four and half hours of special effects make-up to authentically age.
When asked if he thinks he'll ever actually look that way he says, "I hope not, but in life you never know."
The Super Bowl is expected to attract 90 million viewers and 30-second ads have sold for a record $2.5 million (GBP1.38 million) each.
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