Marta, Terje and I were in Venezia a few years ago. Usually when I am Venezia alone I love to walk around without a map, but this spesific day Terje was our map reader. The wonderful thing about Terje as a map reader is that he always finds her way. Somethimes along calles so narrow you never believe you'll come through. You always do. Just like in real life, Terje is leading me along, always knowing where to go.
On our way somwehere, I don't remember where anymore, we suddenly found ourselves outside a huge window filled with glass art, inside the artist was working. Our curiosity got us and soon we were inside.
The owner, yes you are right, of course it was Mauro, was working on a small turtle. Marta was thrilled and we decided to buy the turtle for her. "Come back tomorrow" Mauro said "and the turtle will be ready for you. Right now it is still too hot."
A few days later we were back, and this time I took photos, fully aware of a sign on Mauro's wall - I don't remember the text exactly, but it was something like this: Photos only for women who buys my art, or sleep with me......
Well, of course I couldn't take any photos the first day, as we didn't actually buy anything then ;-)
I told Mauro that I was going to write a blog post from his place, I got his email and when the post was done I emailed him the link.................and almost forgot about "my" glassblower.
A couple of years later I was back in Venezia, this time alone, and without a map.....then all of a sudden I found myself outside the same window, inside I saw the same man. I opened the door, walked in and that same man said: "Hey, you are the blog lady!" There and then a friendship was born.
I have taken tons of photos from Mauro's hsop since then, making sure every time that I buy something, remembering Marta's comment the first time she saw Mauro's sign; "Mamma, does he really mean that?"
Mauro, thanks for your comments yesterday. It opened my eyes and helped me understand why some shops don't want people to photograph their displays. I can't promis that I stop taking photos, but I will think twice before doing so, and before and after thinking twice I will think of you :-)
I will be back in Venezia, I'll keep on shooting photos, which means I'll keep on buying glass ;-)
Or may be I must learn to make my own glass.......
And no matter what, I'll have more spaghetti vongole
For more posts, alot of more posts, from Venezia, go here......
