13. Gondolier in Trouble
| The passengers in this gondola got a little more excitement than they bargained for - the gondolier was having real trouble avoiding a collision. (His straw boater actually fell off into the canal during the struggle.) While trying to avoid the vaporetto I was on, he strayed too near the vaporetto leaving the stop ahead. Unfortunately, they leave by first moving astern to free their mooring, and don't appear to have any rear-view mirrors (just like Italian cars). The turbulence from the screws nearly gave him an early bath. I expect he needed a large glass of grappa afterwards (it must be good for something). The gondolier behind him retrieved his hat - that's why they're made of straw! |