The swan says... "say yes!"

As a Gondolier I have seen many odd things out there on the water as I'm sure many of my compatriots have. I have seen sea lions and seals (even one jump into a Gondola for a nap! remember that one Cinque?), as well as all sorts of fish and birds (and even a few people that think like the fish and birds), however I've never seen anything quite like what happened yesterday...Stopped under a bridge awaiting the response of a wedding proposal a Swan (rare to see in this harbor, egrets and herons are very common however) came out from behind the docks and swam right up next to the Gondola... the young woman asked the swan whether or not she should say yes and if you believe it (I know there is only one or two people who may read this so I have no need to lie), the swan just so happened to bob it's head up and down. This was not the end of our swan, it decided to escort us for about the next 15 minutes down the canal that leads behind Captain Jack's Restaurant (Great Food, Atmosphere, Service!) where it was distracted by others on the dock who had food to give.

No matter how you look at it, this was a very special moment for all on board...


I do have to admit that I don't know a whole lot about the demeanor of a swan that I was a little nervous when it was next to the passengers... it was very humble except for the head bobbing, until it crossed the ferro of the gondola and hissed...

Singing on the Gondola

To anyone who might be reading this I already know that I am a jackass! (among other things)

I'm hoping that those who do read this will comment on a couple of questions that seem to present themselves between Gondoliers and Gondola Operators (some of which are both).

First and foremost- Most of us have come to the realization that Gondoliers in Venice don't do much singing. They are there to gracefully maneuver their Gondola through the canals of the city, which is no easy task with narrow canals having some turns bearing more than 90 degrees. Add a few different current directions and the suction of a vaporretto...and while were at it some windy days like I saw in Feb./Mar. you've got plenty to keep your focus on (this doesn't include other rowed vessels, public and safety traffic on the canals either.

1. So, why is it that singing on the Gondola has become one of the top ideas that spring to mind for the average guest?

2. Why do most people think O Sole Mio is the number one song that Gondoliers should be singing? How did this song from Southern Italy (Naples) become the hit song for people outside of Venice. Is it maybe that it is that romantic of a song and not many people know very much about opera here in the U.S.?

3. Why do most people think Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra are the leaders of the Romantic World (I'm ok with it just setting up my next question)?

4. In regards to the last question how does That's Amore have anything to do with a Gondola and or Gondolier? Is it the only romantic song that is easy to remember the chorus? Maybe Volare falls into this category too!

5. Do people that stop their boat under a bridge and start yelling at you to sing or begin singing to you and your guests annoy you more, less, or not at all compared to those who actually interupt your song to yell or sing?

6. Lastly, and nothing to do with the title...(Atleast for the moment) one of the things that probably drives me furthest up the wall...the weather broadcasters who will mention the slightest bit of rain in Southern California (which is such a vast area I'm not even going to look up the square mileage, just think instead of listening) that inturn will spark the phone lines for cancellations days in advance. I grew up here and all of us know that it may rain a little that day and even if it's raining the day of your cruise the chances are that they'll miss out on a beautiful evening (some of the most spectacular nights occur after a bit of a stormy session). Why are the poeople on TV more respected than those who actually are affected by the weather, is it the make-up? the hair? the smooth voice? maybe the cool cloud and sun graphics that move around while they speak?

I don't have answers on these things and don't necessarily expect to receive any statements that will make the music of God sound in my living room, but hearing your opinions and or feelings on these matters might help me from time to time while I'm pacing the living room and ranting about them to my dog and girlfriend (thanks Jo your a good vent).

Well with all that said here are a couple of photos taken by my friends from Elegant Photography.

A trip to Venice, in March

This last March I took a trip to Venice, Italy with my friend and partner, Tim Reinard. We went on a search for for a couple of gondolas for sale. It was quite a trip besides visiting a few people that we already knew, we met all sorts of other people, current and retired Gondoliers, the current president of the Gondolier Union, rowing club members, songwriters, Gondola builders, as well as a few bartenders and shop owners. Interestingly enough at the time the big question was Hillary or Obama (that is a discussion for someone elses blog please), this was interesting to me that political news of the U.S. was that well known in Italy. Here in the U.S. I don't think anyone I know, knows who the president of Italy was at the time or that Italy has well over one hundred political parties and candidates to choose from.

(The current Italian Pres. is Giorgio Napolitano)

Back to my story...(pardon me while typing this I'm listening to our current presidential debates)

We knew that there was one Gondola available. Angelino Sandri in Oakland, who owns Gondola Servizio on Lake Merrit, contacted Roberto dei Rossi in Venice who is a Gondola builder in The San Travaso Squero (His family goes back some 400 yrs in Gondola Maestro's). The first day went just as planned. After that the plan was over now find another Gondolier willing to sell his boat. Doesn't sound too hard right? Well there is no used lot sale or salesman, so now we're on the search for a guy who is willing to sell his boat, and it's one that isn't about to be buried.

Well after almost a week of searching we went back to one of the first boats we found on the secondary search. We went to a Gondolier named Fabbio dei Bei who rowed a Tramontin built Gondola out of the Bocino Orseolo behind St. Mark's Square. The other Gondola was working out of Santa Sofia near Ca'd'oro on the Grand canal (opposite the herberia and the open air fish market). We now owned two Gondolas in Venice. The ideas of rowing around the city and celebrating were rampant in our minds, unfortunately we bought the boats just in time to learn how to use a cesola (my spelling is only a guess). The cesola is a modified dust pan intended to scoop out water from the Gondola. We were lucky enough to this twice before we took the Gondolas to the shipping yard. To the right you can see that both Gondolas have completed their journey around the world and are safely snuggled into a slip in Peter's Landing Marina.

That is the short story of an intense two weeks. Here are some bonus photos that I think are worth posting.

Tim getting a free ride down the Grand canal on Nelly

Tim taking a turn as pope.

A moment of Humility

Learing to row a gondola with grace is never an easy task. I've been rowing 10 years or so and have been teaching others for about 8. In this time I have began training close to 60 guys and gals out there with about 20-25 actually becoming employed as gondoliers (only guessing here). There is something that says to some people their first day on the water that this is not for them. It just doesn't work as easy for them...they believe they must be defective. Well really nothing is wrong with them, it takes a combination of practice and experience, and even after years of rowing I still learn something new quite often.
Today was one of those days...the weather was perfect for a Gondola ride. Sunny, not much of a breeze and crystal blue skies above with just a few streaks of clouds. A couple called and asked about the rides and said they were on there way. About 35 minutes later I was ready for them as they arrived. They seemed like nice people, it was the gentlemen's birthday. After they were seated I began telling them about the gondola as I untied from the dock. We shoved off and I thought, well...this is such a beautiful day and so warm, I should stay cool and kick my shoes off and row barefooted (it can get toasty quick with a shirt tucked into black pants while your rowing). The details are a little faded for the next 5-10 seconds or so...as I kicked off the second shoe there was an odd moment...I had no balance. I, let me repeat that, I was going to fall in. And did! This was the first time...yep a first for everything. I've always knocked on wood when customers have asked if I had ever...now I have a story to tell of my own.
Before I could only tell of others and there unfortunate incidents. I believe I lacked style on my plunge into the water, I have seen some that could have definitely been a hit on youtube or a funniest home video competition. The couple on board laughed hysterically and took a couple of pictures. I would have too, so no harm done, they did ask if I was o.k. before the laughter took over and if they email them to me I'll post'em here.

Stay Dry!