Up the river

Thank you to dear old BoB for this groaner!

bluebird of bitterness

An anthropologist wanted to study the members of a remote jungle tribe. He hired a native guide with a canoe to take him to his destination and serve as interpreter.

As they travelled up the river, they heard drums in the distance. The anthropologist asked his guide, “What do those drums mean?”

The guide replied, “Drums okay. Drums not bad. But very bad when they stop.”

As they traveled the drums grew louder. The anthropologist became nervous, but the guide repeated, “Drums okay. Drums not bad. But when drums stop, then very bad.”

On they travelled, the anthropologist growing more apprehensive by the minute. Then suddenly the drums stopped. Panic stricken, the anthropologist said to the guide, “The drums stopped! What now?”

The guide crouched down, covered his head with his hands and said, “Guitar solo.”

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Answer to travel photo #5

The photo was taken on the lovely island of Torcello which is in the lagoon north of Venice. Once heavily populated, it now has very few inhabitants. It does have an interesting history The forgotten Venice   and the  ancient Cathedral of Torcello among its attractions.

The photo shows the containers that are used twice a year to provide the soft shelled delicacy know as moeche. These containers, known as vieri, used to be made of wicker. Now they consist of wooden planks, spaced so the water can circulate to keep the little crabs alive when the containers are lowered into the  shallow waters of the lagoon. 

I have eaten them once. Then I found out how they are prepared, and never had them again. Poor moeche

 

Mystery travel photo #5

Where is this tranquil scene?

 

Answer to Travel photo #4

Many of you had the right city: Naples.

Many of you had the right Saint: San Gennaro.

And, a few of you had the right artist: Caravaggio.

One of you had the trifecta, so to speak. 

So, well done to you all. I am very impressed.

The mural, from 2016, is the work of a Neapolitan artist, Rosario Bosso (Roxy in the Box). It shows two very important figures in the history of Naples: San Gennaro and Caravaggio. As Andrew mentioned, it can be found in the Piazza Sisto Riario Sforza, near the Duomo.

San Gennaro has the newspaper 24 Ore in his hands. The headlines include “Be quick, work for everyone, tourism and culture” and “Drink Neapolitan”.  Caravaggio is reading the New York Times, with a Supersantos soccer ball under his right foot. (Another nod to the culture of Naples.) 

You can read more about San Gennaro here  San Gennaro

It is notable that the dried blood did NOT liquify in September 2020. 

Travel photo #4

Let’s start the new year with a new photo.

Just a hint or two: this shows a Saint and an artist. The city where you would find it is noted for pizza. (Among many other things.)

An Italian lesson

My friends from Venice forwarded these shopping list written in that beautiful language: Italian. 

It will be your job to tell me what was on the lists. Don’t complain, it’s good for you to exercise your brains.

fragole

yogourt (this may be misspelt/misspelled – I am catering to both versions of the English language)

succo d’ananas

carta igienica

Rasoi (I have to confess I don’t know this one. I think it may be a brand name.)

una sorella più educata

I’ll bet you had no trouble with the first item

Something of interest about that second word, biscotti. Bis means twice or extra, the  word literally means twice cooked. You may also see it used in the Italian word for Great-grandmother: Bisnonna.

Thank you, Caroline and Phil, for sending them to me. 

Where and what was travel photo #3

The photo of the man with the vacuum cleaner was taken in Cannaregio, a sestiere (district) of Venice, at the beginning of Carnevale in 2014.

I, along with a throng of other onlookers, was waiting on the other side of the Cannaregio Canal to watch the parade of oar powered boats arriving to mark the opening weekend of the festivities. The dramatic finale of the parade was a larger than life pantegana (rat) whose rear end exploded, releasing a swarm of coloured balloons!

Later, we had the chance to try many typical Venetian foods and beverages from stalls set up on the fondamenta (canal side walkway), and listen to Venetian musical presentations. It was cold, but a lot of fun.

This couple were on an adjacent balcony. Their housework must have been done, so they could enjoy the passing parade.

Travel photo #3

A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta  do, apparently.

I still haven’t found someone to nominate for the challenge who hasn’t already been tagged. But, I’m having fun nevertheless. 

Answer to Travel photo #2

Well, a couple of you clever folks displayed knowledge of what the photo portrayed, and where it might be located.

The plane carcass can be found on Horn Island, one of the Torres Strait Islands, and is a relic of the Second World War.  The Torres Strait Islands are located  at the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia’s northernmost point, approximately 17 kilometres off Queensland’s coast and just south of Papua New Guinea. 

Surprisingly few people have heard of the Japanese attack on Darwin which suffered 64 air attacks between February 1942 and November 1943. What is even less known is that Horn Island was the second Australian site to receive the attention of the Japanese when, on  March 14, 1942, Japanese fighter planes targeted Horn Island as part of their campaign to cripple military positions in northern Australia. The Japanese raids on Horn Island in World War II barely rate a mention in Australia’s history books.

Those interested in the role of this island during the Second World War can find a lot information online, on sites such as this one:  http://www.ww2places.qld.gov.au/place?id=770 and information about other attacks on Australia are outlined here: http://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/air_raids

Travel photo #2

I seem to be on a wreck theme, perhaps channelling what this year has felt like at times.

I still haven’t decided who to select for the challenge, but I am thinking of a few folks who have done a lot of travel.