Photo Pest: No Gondolas

Saturday, July 15, 2023

No Gondolas

For someplace with such a chill vibe, there's a lot of death imagery to be found in Venice's street art.

"A nice place to die slow," isn't exactly what I'd call local boosterism. I do love the skeleton chattering on her cell phone.

It was my first visit. I'd always wanted to see Muscle Beach but we started our tour on Abbot Kinney Boulevard where surfer types and tourists eat, drink and shop. The street is named for the man who developed the wetland canals that give the city its name in 1905. Thom bought a beach spread and towel from Sand Cloud, a San Diego-based company.

The goodies are probably not what you think.

Some old timers still maintain homes there.

I would prefer to live on one of the canals.

Nearly half of the original marketing waterways were paved over by 1929. The rest fell into disrepair until the 90s when Venice gentrified, becoming a desirable and expensive place to live.

A dog walker told us that smaller, older homes like hers could be had "for under two." You don't get much, but as they say in real estate "location, location, location."