Venice is about one of the safest place on the planet, you can walk everywhere, day and night, explore the city and get lost in the labirinth which is this net of tiny narrow streets and bridges..
one thing you have to keep your eyes open though: pickpockets.

There's a citizens association in Venice called "Veneziani non distratti" (non-distracted venetians) which is doing a good job by helping the population and the authorities to contrast these little areas of illegality.
A few days ago in the paper there where some indications on how to recognize pickpockets and i think it's something interesting for our guests..

These eastern european people coming from Romenia and Bulgaria "work" basically on the public boats (mainly in the summer or hi season periods) when people are jammed like sardines.
Men use to carry a backpack on their chest, not behind as everybody do, in order to hide their hands so to be free to act unseen, for the same reason women wear a long scarf round their neck and around their arm.
They are very skillfull but knowing their technique is surely helpful.

A little advice for everybody..in the streets, walk always on the right, pretend that you're driving a car (not good for british though..!).
Walking for us is like driving, people go to work, come from school, often in a rush to be punctual to a meeting..so don't think venetians are rude, simply..shoes are our vehicles.
Remember: don't close the way when walking in the narrow streets..and people will love you.

Every year since 1687 on november 21st we celebrate the Madonna della Salute festival.
It was at the end of a huge plague (1631) that spread across Venice and the whole region killing more than half of the population that venetians decided to build the church of Madonna della Salute to thank the Virgin to whom the Senate of the Republic asked her help to save the city.

This is, along with Redentore, the most important festival for Venetians who walk across the votive bridge built for the occasion between Santa Maria del Giglio and the Salute to the church, offering candles and wishing health to their beloved ones.

The whole Dorsoduro area will be very crowded with families and children, lots of stalls all around the church area selling sweets and all kins of candies.
All the children are usually taken to the festival and the adults, also those not observant, enjoy the event because it gives you a hint of your childhood..at least, this happens to me..

Tomorrow is San Martino, children use to go in little groups of 4 or 5, wearing  mantles and paper crowns and making noise with lids and bells door by door waiting for treats..this is what we did years ago, now globalization and commercial interests brought Hallowen to our children and this tradition is fading away...

Anyway have a San Martino cake, it has the shape of the Saint on his horse with his mantle and sword, made of paste covered in sugar glaze with candies and pralines.

You will find it in every pastry shop in Venice, the best are Pasticceria Tonolo in Dorsoduro 3764 and Pasticceria Gobbetti Dorsoduro 3299 both a few steps from Campo Santa Margherita.

OK..we did our blog. Not for any special reason. Just for fun, for throwing some words across the canal in a poor english.

Yesterday a british couple got here looking for a room, they came all the way from London on foot!! It took 3 months to walk across Europe only on their shoes to promote cancer research..great respect to them and we're proud to have them here.

The foggy time is back, Venice is getting Venice again..