Piazza San Marco Pigeons

Venice is best at dawn, seen empty.

"There is nothing new to be said about her." said Henry James. "Venice is the most beautiful cliche on earth."

If a writer thinks it is difficult to find fresh ideas in Venice, think of the painters who painted Venice before us: ---- Titian, Tiepolo and Canaletto! Search Julian Merrow-Smith, Postcard From Provence ---- for a contemporary attempt. In my series I am searching for the ironic, location-specific and of-this-moment Venice.

Pigeon Observes Students Observing Pigeons

Venice vexes, annoys, disturbs and excites.

Venice is not boring.

Venice is brow-sweating hot and spine-cramping damp.

Venice is now crowded.

Venice is then vacant.

Venice can smell.

Venice can sing ----- church bells ringing over the city roofs, --- out of sync.

Venice is sinking into the lagoon that is rising over Venice.

Venice is la Serinemissa --- Venice is Serene.

No season is boring in Venice --- but pack warm after October and carry a water bottle after April.