Still a holiday weekend here; still plenty of (mostly Italian) visitors.

After buying our tickets online we set off for “Homo Faber” a show of high end crafts in a beautiful setting on San Giorgio. We decided to walk from here to San Zaccaria and cross on the boat from there. Of course, we got lost on the way there and wandered quite a bit but we were not on a schedule so I really didn’t mind. We happened on Vizio Virtu and I got myself a bunch of their gelatine candies which I love. Finally we made it to the Riva degli Schiavoni and found the uncrowded, #2 to San Giorgio.

Here is the first view from inside the complex which housed the show:

The exhibition defies description. Their literature calls it “a unique creative journey” and I can see why. I think we saw about half of it. I really loved the “Blossoming Beauty” room where each artist did, not only the flower arrangement but designed the glass vases and they were executed by Venini, here on Murano.

The next space we went to had artisans working at counters in the center of the room so you could watch the craft in progress. Here are a few more things that caught my eye:

In other rooms there were woven fabrics, ceramics, baskets and porcelain works. One whole room was dedicated to a collaboration between Japanese artisans and Italians. There was also an original Ferrari in a glass case, on its own outside.

The grounds were completely beautified too, with many plantings of flowering potted plants and trees. There was a large “lounge” area with games and eating spaces. Each setting had different exotic, furniture, right out of a magazine. The event was a feast for the mind but eventually we felt like we were suffering from Stendhal Syndrome and decided to leave. Walking back was uneventful and we seemed to take half the time it took us going there.

After a nice restful afternoon, we took one more walk around our neighborhood and to get the last of the cash for Elisa. Lots of people on Strada Nova were heading towards the train station. I hope things are a bit calmer for the next few weeks.

We had “good bye” dinner with Marcia and David at the nearby Trattoria Storica. They are heading to Bologna tomorrow. I loved my spaghetti with local clams.