We were in the Piazza on Sunday night when Italy took the World Cup ... lots of restrained exuberance, big flag waving, hugging, singing. The orchestra at I Quadri, wearing Azzurri shirts, playing "We Are The Champions" at the moment the results became official.
For the unrestrained form of exuberance, you had to be closer to one of the 3 bridges crossing the Canal Grande, where kids were playing cat and mouse with the Polizia free-diving into the pitch dark from the crest of the crossings. Check out the photos below, from the Accademia bridge, at about 2 in the AM.
Things were rocking at Campo Santa Margherita, as would be expected. There was a crowd of about 300 people, including one group that was banging on a newstand with sticks, bottles and hands in an impromptu drum circle kind of thing. Decibel level .. off the charts.
More swimming by the Ponte dei Pugni.
Any report on the survival rate of these daredevils? How does Canal water taste in the summertime?
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The papers say the water is "the cleanest it has been in decades", but it still has that sewage top note that is familiar in July.
all the divers survived. I saw one guy with an injured leg.
Posted by: Kurt | July 13, 2006 at 06:25 AM
Great shots! Fabulous! Celebrate!
Penicilin for everyone!
Posted by: lsnh | July 13, 2006 at 03:10 PM
Didn't Katherine Hepburn have a problem with her eyes the rest of her life after falling into a canal in Summertime?
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I read that ... In fact I blogged about it a couple years ago.
n.
Posted by: marisa | July 14, 2006 at 08:17 AM
After some of these photos,I'll have a problem with speedos for the rest of my life!
Posted by: David | July 14, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Marisa - I've heard that story too. Eye infections can be very difficult to get over.
Posted by: RaleighRob | July 18, 2006 at 09:03 AM
N. We're all on tenterhooks here. Hurry up my friend!
Posted by: David | July 27, 2006 at 01:49 PM
I second that! Can't wait to hear and see all about it!
Posted by: Faith | July 27, 2006 at 06:33 PM
glad to see the fact that italy won by playing dirty didn't keep the venetians from celebrating!
*grumble, grumble*
-an expat american in paris who despite her italian heritage was rooting for her adopted country
Posted by: maitresse | August 10, 2006 at 07:09 AM
Isn't Ponte dei Pugni the small foot bridge by San barnaba where the produce barge usually moors for business? The same place Hepburn went in?? I finally got soccer this year.. What a beautiful sport!
Posted by: Paul Parma | August 23, 2006 at 09:06 AM
hehe, i was there too :)
Posted by: guillaume | September 10, 2006 at 12:53 AM