Day three in Venice was much the same as day 2. An early morning start to see the markets come to life once more. Having see the ‘locals’ taxi across the Grand Canal in operation the previous day, I decided to give this a whirl. It’s trips started at 07:30, so I had a while to wait, but is save a walk, and landed me right at the markets. A locals taxi it really is. There is one fare for locals, and another fare, about three times the amount for anyone else, or certainly, tourists. As you can see below, service was with a smile, so it was all worth it. Hmmm … Perhaps the stripey top should actually have arrows on it, since it was daylight robbery? The trip though takes only a matter of minutes, depending on how enthused the gondolier is.

Just like the previous morning, the market traders were busy preparing their stalls for the days trade. It all takes place so fast, so the darkness of the markets and the movement of the fishmongers and grocers had to be overcome by using high ISO, often as high as 3200.

There was one last thing to do in Venice, and that was to take a proper tourist trip on a Gondola. Robbery is a frequent occurrence in Venice, the plaintiffs usually wearing a beret and the customary stripey top, and are normally seen propelling a Gondola. I do have some sympathy, as I am sure much of the €80 for the almost 30 minutes they give you a tour of four side canals or something go to the City in tax. Don’t worry about having to make polite conversation with the Gondolier either, they will be entirely engrossed in a conversation on their mobile phone for almost all of the journey. Just what do they talk about for so long? Regardless of this, the experience is worth it if you’ve never been on one before, and it does give you views of the City, which otherwise are hidden.

The first crossing of the Grand Canal in Venice for the Gondola Taxi service from Cannaregio to San Polo

Early morning, and the Fishmongers prepare the days ware for the days trade.

Fishmongers wash the ink from the squid, Venice Fish Market

Fishmongers wash the ink from the squid, Venice Fish Market

A fishmonger finihes up the display, in readiness for the days trade, Venice Fish Market.

Early morning, and the first trade of the day.

The stall is ready for the rush of restaurateurs and hoteliers.

A Venitian Fishmonger pre-packs an order ready for collection.

A typical Venitian café-bar on a Venice street corner.

An Italian gentleman takes a rest outsite a Venetian café-bar.

Early Morning Trade

Early morning, and two gents convers outside Bancogiro, Venice,

An Italian gent on the way to work declines the offer of helping the homeless man on the floor.

Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio per il Comune di Venezia e Laguna and San Marco Campanile from the Grand Canal

Santa Maria della Pietà Istituto Provinciale per l’Infanzia ‘Santa Maria della Pietà’ undergoes restoration, while the obvious lean of Sacra Arcidiocesi Ortodossa d’Italia e Malta, Orthpdox church can be seen.

Unidentified Island, Venice

View along one of the narrow canals in Venice

Delivery men unload a barge of deliveries along the back streets of Venice.

View along one of the narrow canals in Venice