The Spell of Venice


By Rita


Part One


The water was slapping against the side of the ferry. This was no ordinary ferry this ferry took the passenger to Venice from mainland Italy. Standing on the top deck of the ferry overlooking the railing stood Rita. It had yet to leave port. She was eagerly anticipating her first site of Venice. Her excitement was barely contained, her feet were tapping in nervous energy as if she could move the ferry through her sheer will.

"First time?" A voice coming from her left startled her out of her thoughts. She turned and saw a short older man with a beaming smile on his face. He spoke English with a delightful Italian accent.

Rita smiled. "Yes, it is. I assume it's not yours though."

The older man laughed, "No, it is not the first nor the last time I will see Venezia but every time is like the first. So savor it." The distinct rumbling of an engine coming to life could be heard. The ferry slowly pulled away from its slip in the harbor.

"Oh I intend to." She replied fervently.

"Ah the passion of youth. She too is full of passion."

"She who?"

"Why Venezia of course. She is Queen of the Sea. Every year there is a celebration of her marriage to Poseidon god of the sea. Her mate, they were wedded so that the ocean would never destroy Venezia. Poseidon worships her in the shore lines with each cresting wave."

"That is a lovely tradition and myth."

"Young lady don't tell me you are visiting the most romantic city in the world alone?"

"Oh I won't be alone once I reach Venice. I am meeting some friends there. We plan on enjoying Venice to the fullest." Rita smiled as thought that she would be seeing her friends very soon. It was impossible that they should all travel together so they made arrangements to meet at the hotel.

"Ah but no young man to accompany you." The old man took a deep sigh of regret.

Rita face took on a thoughtful look as she played with the opal bracelet gracing her wrist. The stones captured appeared like they were on fire. "Not that I know of but you never know."

"If I were only younger." Was the old man's reply. "Yet the city casts its spell around those who visit. I am sure you nor you friends will be alone for long." It seemed he was making a prediction.

Rita shook that thought off. She planned on having great time with her friends. "I don't need…"

"Look there! Isn't she glorious?"

She immediately turned there on the shores of golden waters was Venice. Presiding under a cerulean sky building drenched in majesty and history that reached up creating an imposing edifice. The marbles, the colors, the architecture provided a dizzying feast for the senses.

The old man observed, "I see she has left you speechless."

Rita not shifting her gaze from the different floating palazzos and the tower from St. Mark's Square said, "Venice is enchantment. I feel as if I am in another era." She looked down on her clothes expecting to be clothed in a gown from the Renaissance. She found to her dismay that it was not the case. Her modern clothes were out of place with the city.

"She is hard to resist. Come it is time to disembark."

Jolted she began to move quickly so she could get a better look at Venice. There were gondolas and launches ready to transport tourists to their final destinations. Stepping out on to the dock she turned to thank the man while she waited for her luggage to be unloaded from the cargo bay.

"Thank you for your company."

"No, no thank you signora for the joy of seeing Venice through your eyes. If you ever hunger for a true Venetian meal, please stop by." He said as he handed her a card. "Ask for Franco."

"That is very kind of you thanks." She watched as Franco left and placed the card in her purse. She hailed a launch much like a cab and laughed in delight at this. The launch driver stowed her luggage and whisked her off to the hotel.


Part Two


Standing outside the impressive palazzo that was now converted into a hotel. Rita just was admiring the clean lines of Roman architecture. All those classes in history and art were coming in handy. She couldn't wait to visit the Doge's Palace. The bellhop took care of her luggage. As she walked into the expansive reception area every step resounded with a click on the marble floor. The furniture was 16th century in style, marble columns were supporting the ornately decorated ceiling.

Caught by a lovely mural of an aristocratic Venetian family in a pastoral setting. She was unaware that she was being observed.

"Rita! You're finally here!" She saw the figure running towards her with a trail of blond hair.

"Curlly!" She said as she hugged her. "So I see your enjoying Venice?"

"How?"

"I think that smudge of cream at your cheek says it all." Rita said while she laughed.

"Oh that." She said as she wiped it off. "It was very good. Come on." She said as she pulled her towards the elevators. "Everyone is waiting."

They arrived at the suite. The ornate gilded double door with an antique doorknob, which Curlly turned. Upon entering the room there was a living room area with a sofa, settee and chairs. The color scheme of the room was in a rich shade of royal blue with gold. Muted conversations and laughter could be heard from the rooms that were connected to the living room. It seems that everyone was hear already. They were lucky to get this suite at the height of carnival in Venice. Yet they had been planning this trip for what seemed like ages.

Calling out to the others Curlly announced, "Rita's here!"

Then all the women came pouring out of the rooms. Rita smiled as she saw them all, North, Cindy, Sherry, and Sylvia. They all started talking at once. It was a delightful reunion. Exclamations about the hotel and the city were shared.

"So Rita did you remember to bring your costume?" North inquired after they had finally sat down and were eating some pastries that Curlly had to order from room service.

"Of course I did North. I am so psyched about going to the ball tomorrow night."

"Ok girls the tour starts in about an hour. So you have 30 minutes to get ready, rest or whatever strikes your fancy. And in Rita's case unpack." Sylvia said in an attempt to get the girls moving.

They spent the day touring the different palazzos from the DiMedici to Borgia. Hearing about Lurcretia was enough for the day. They also spent time in St. Mark's Square enjoying the spectacle of carnival at night. There were all kinds of costumes for the elaborate to the simplistic. That night they got their faces painted. A tradition in carnival. Another tradition they learned about quickly was the propensity of getting their butts pinched in the throng of crowds. All in all it was an enjoyable afternoon and evening. That night when they finally hit their beds they fell exhausted into dreamless slumber.

The next morning was spent in a flurry of touring and last minute shopping for the ball that night. Most important of course was the purchase of the perfect mask to complement the costume. There was no place in the world where an individual could purchase a mask that was better than Venice. After their shopping expedition ended the group decided to nap in order to recharge the batteries for that night.


Part Three


The night of the ball had finally arrived.

The ball was in full swing. Swirls of silks and satins of every different hue passed by in a rainbow of dancing couples. A breath taking sight that made the guests fell as if they had been transported to another reality. Everyone looked as if they were having a glorious time if body language was any indicator since everyone was masked.

That was the beauty of Venice at carnival. It gave everyone the chance to shed inhibitions and take on another persona if only for one evening. Giving courage to those that needed it.

Rita stood there her foot-keeping beat in time with the music. Looking through the holes of her mask, searching for someone to dance with as she admired the various costumes. The girls had decided to dress as character from fairy tales and children's books. There was North dressed up as Little Red Riding Hood. It was a red gown in the 18th century style with the matching cape. She was also carrying a basket and wearing a mask of course. Rita noted that she had happened to be dancing with someone dressed as a wolf. That made her laugh she hoped she didn't get gobbled up. She noted the wolf had piercing blue eyes.

Curlly was in the corner talking to some young man. She went dressed as Rapunzel, in a blue gown and she had enough hair for the part. Rita was deciding whether or not to go see what was going on with Curlly when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Would you care to dance?" Was stated in a softly accented voice that caused Rita to pause before she spun around. It could not be him. The man who haunted her dreams. The man who popped in and out of her life at the most interesting times. Her ears were playing tricks on her. She could not tell above the din of the music and the merry revelers. Taking a deep breath she smiled as she turned.


Final Chapters...