There is a renaissance on the water in Venice in gondolas. We saw many racing -mostly two man - of various colors, which were not evident on our last visit nearly 10 years ago. And like this couple, we saw a few people that just seemed to be on the water recreationally. It usually looks like all business afloat in Venice.

Definitely an Irish knit sweater but I like to think he is Venetian. He's at one with the water.

As you can see, this Gondola is not one of the tourist queens. She appears to be wood and perhaps is being restored? It also has a forward Forcola which the girl was using. She was very new to using it and he was showing her the ropes. They were out for sunset row an he was very patient with her. I instantly liked them and wished we could have met.

That is a wonder of travel. Your curiosity of another place seems satisfied, yet you return home with more questions than you left with.