IF IT'S TUESDAY: Isola di Capri [Anacapri]

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If it's Tuesday, this must be Capri

'Isola di Capri'. Island of the Sirens, playground to Zues and Neptune and inspiration to many an artist, the likes of John Singer Sargent and Claude Debussy.

This time it is 1993 and I have just arrived at the Island of Capri courtesy of an organized tour. Not the optimal way to travel but certainly a good choice for a first time visit to Europe alone. However, being a tour, time and options are limited, so one has to decide how to best spend a small fraction of their lives in one of the most glorious and ethereal places on earth.

Choices

Choices! I've never really been good with them. Life never presents a choice of Apples and Apples does it? No.. always some odd mix of the crisp crunchy apple, as tempting as that infamous first bight, or .... the big juicy orange, requires a bit more effort, is going to get messy, but promises to quench your thirst for the sweetness of life. Which to choose?

Well my choices on this day were... take a small boat to the Blue Grotto, then followup with either; A] lull around and be enticed by the glamourous shops and privileged life of Capri, or B] take the chairlift [seggiovia] to the peak of Anacapri and enjoy the magnificent view, as ancient and mysterious as old man time himself. I am usually a 'luller' [I find people watching fascinating] but this day I chose to see Anacapri .. and am ever thankful I did.

The view was indescribable.

So... good thing I took photos to share with you!!!!

I stood for ages waiting to get this shot above..

[this one is original version - no alterations other than text]

Waiting for the buzzing swarm of tourists to realise their tummies were crying for lunch. Finally, when enough had departed, and at risk of missing my own departure time, I snapped away furiously and was happy to get that one shot 'sans le pesky people'. Mind you it was two months before I arrived home and developed my film.. So this shot was one of my very happy surprises.

Standing looking out over the endless blue sea, you can see the Faraglioni rock formations. Apart from the small boats zipping in and out, one can imagine they have stepped through a timewarp and any minute now the waters will churn and ripple as Neptune arises to laugh at us miniature humans as we attempt to absorb the beauty of this island. The feeling of awe is hard to contain. I have only had this overwhelming feeling a few times... that feeling that is usually inspired by the sheer beauty and grand scale of nature... A feeling that alerts you to how small and insignificant we humans are, yet at the same time allowing us to feel part of something so vast it is unfathomable.

Mother nature is an accomplished artist!

If you let your mind wander, you can imagine the white wash is not from speedboats but the mermaids and sirens playfully enjoying their paradise. Those of you who know [Ethel] will understand she is painfully sorry she could not guest author this post... prior commitment ..]

[tiled map of Anacapri - from the Mariorita Boutique - photo by me]

More Choices

So today's post presented me with another choice dilemma. Yesterday I finally tried Photoshop for the first time.... As you can imagine, this resulted in 20 or so variations of the same photos!!! I hope you don't mind repetition. As you can see I couldn't decide which images to put up... Some have been altered using my usual 'Ruby' method, some are originals and some are courtesy of my new found Photoshop addiction. It's only been one day and it's an addiction already!!!

Thanks for popping over today to view my addiction ..

and as always... Thank you for your lovely comments..

Now that I have escaped from the jaws of photoshop...

I'll be round to visit all your lovely blogs

IMAGE SOURCE: ALL Photography, text and photo editing by me - [Being Ruby©]

MERMAIDS: & Myths of Venice!

Hi everyone Ethel the Mermaid here.

Guest posting for Julie again who is busy cleaning up the mess from Sydney's 'Red Wednesday'. [actually she doesn’t know I am here… so I won’t break the rules and will stick to the scheduled Venice posts although SHE broke the rules with that ugly red post!]. Well I am so glad to be back here with you again!! I really wanted to introduce myself last time I posted [here], but Julie said I shouldn’t. You see my name in mermaid speak is ’~~eeeEEEEeee~~’. I know, it’s hard to read, believe me it is even harder to pronounce & if I did, there would be danger of permanent hearing damage. So just call me Ethel.

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Today… I want to take you on a tour of the mermaid’s favourite vacation spot, and dispel some ‘Old Wives TAILS’ about Venice [huh .. like old wives have tails, mermaids don’t marry!!]

Myth #1. Humans designed Venice. You may or may not know this, but the wonder that is called Venice, was originally planned by mermaids as a summer vacation resort.. many many centuries ago when I was just a wee thing with with only a flutter of a tail. We mermaids needed somewhere quiet and beautiful to relax, have fun and be sheltered from the stormy seas [even mermaids get sick of all that rocking motion], so a committee was formed, plans were formulated and a task force went to work, resulting in the masterpiece of town planning known as Venice. You see it just made logical sense not to build roads as the main form of traffic flow.

Roads are not really a priority for us mermaids and Venice is purpose built to accommodate OUR needs. Right, you can see that can’t you? Being able to get to your front door, shop at the fisher’s market or even just buying a simple spray of flowers was always an enormous burden to a mermaid. But in Venice, all these little luxuries are conveniently accessed via miles of winding canals filled with that wonderful miracle called the Sea! Alternate locations were suggested but none were viable, as you can see below.

Myth #2. Humans invented Gondolas. Why do you think they are the shape you see here? Long shapely curved body forming a stylish pointed tail! You think it is for manoeuvrability right? Of course it is! … and that is exactly why it was modelled on a mermaids tail! Not to mention it really is just so comfortable to lie back and know there is going to be ample leg room! I mean really, finally 1st class! We designed them and that is why to this day… a mermaid can be seen riding on the bow of all the better know Gondolas. And the serrated shaped blade on the stern.. handy for cutting & preparing fish!

Mermaids have always been known for their flirtatious nature, so I’m sure you won’t be shocked when I tell you that.. whilst a young lady is adoring the gorgeous architecture, her beau might be adoring a flirtatious kiss by a mermaid! It’s true… we are playful little things and like to sneak up to the side of the Gondolas and steal a kiss when no one is watching… always catches them by surprise! Even that cheeky boy Casanova couldn’t resist our charms!

Myth #3. The Bridge of Sighs was named for human angst. OK this you won’t know.. but the famous Bridge of Sighs, was named for the fact that during Acqua Alta mermaids could gain access to the crossing point and visit the human realm. Once they discovered things such as hand-blown glass, venetian jewels and gold leafed interiors, their sighs could be heard as far as the outer lagoons. [you thought it was going to be something else didn’t you?]. Back to low tide, these treasures would escape them once again, and they would have to resort to adorning themselves with seaweed & cockle shells.. Nice I admit.. but not quite the same.

Myth #4. Carnevali was invented by humans. Again this was invented by the mermaid. Back in the old days when we first built Venice, hiding our true nature wasn’t really an issue. People accepted the mermaid then. But now, sadly, we need to keep a low profile, so when we yearn to return to the plazas of Venice, the cloak of fanciful costumes and disguise, allows us this pleasure. The Doge here also knows a thing about fanciful costumes. He looks a bit fishlike to me too.. maybe he is a relative!

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So there you have it! Some myths debunked. I’d love to stay and rattle on about more of the glorious antics of the mermaid but I can hear Julie returning

This post is linked to Waterside Wednesday hosted by Barbara @ TheBookBlog . Pop over via the link above to see more Waterside Wednesday participants

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IMAGE SOURCES: Mermaid – John William Waterhouse via Isidore-of-Seville.com, JSS Gallery.org & Forgotten Futures.com, Gondolieri.it, JSS Gallery.org, Portale di Venezia, JSS Gallery.org

Previous Posts in Venice Week:

SPRING: Mermaids Awaken

The arrival of spring heralds the return of mermaids to the local seaside.

Now we mermaids don’t like the winter so we spend that season in the waters of some distant, warmer land. [it is just a myth that we sleep through it] But with the return of spring we can once again be found frolicking along the shores.

After our long journey, we do tend to look a bit worse for wear and spring is the perfect time to brush off the seaweed and get back into the swim of life. So off to the spa for a bit of pampering. Wonderful treatments that soothe the soul and restore the lustre to our hair and scales.

Really, we are not that different from you humans. We too like to pamper ourselves and prepare for the coming season.

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Soaking in a bathtub isn’t always practical,

So sometimes we sneak into the pools of private homes

But wait for the cover of night

With just the stars and moonlight to guide our way

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Is also important at the start of the season to get in shape.

We need to get back into those fins girls so off to the gym for a little circuit training

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Of course with all that pampering and exercise, sustenance is necessary

So a Little Something

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Somewhere relaxing to enjoy our feast

Just like you humans

We like to decorate our ‘earth homes’ too with

Beautiful Textiles, Hues of the Sea, Chandeliers, Mirrors, Seaside Mementos

& Family Portraits complete the look

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And at the end of the day

We really are no different from you

We too need to dream and slumber to renew our spirit for the coming days

Although we are similar in some ways, there is of course the one big difference .. our tails.

Some Mermaids do dream of being just like these beauties below.

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Of course

Dreams don't always turn out like you expect!

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This post is linked to Waterside Wednesday hosted by Barbara @ TheBookBlog

Pop over via the link above to see more Waterside Wednesday participants

IMAGES:

The Spa: [1] jwwaterhouse.com [2&3] unknown, [4] via LilyG blogspot, [5&6] unknown. Exercise: [1] machka.net, To Drink & To Eat: [1] Amy Butler, [2] Rachel Whiting, [3] Doyles.com.au. Decorate: [1] Coastal Living, [2] House Beautiful. Dreams: [1] unknown. Dreaming: [1-3] Millie Motts Flick stream, [4] Turkey Travel Planner LABELS: 'Sea' image used as background for 'il Bagno' Label by Sarah Maingot