Fezzik In Paris

Due to my partner in crime’s absence, I am unable to attest to the entertainment to be had at any of the many balls; playing dress-up isn’t any fun alone.

This isn’t to say that one couldn’t tell that we were in the midst of carnevale; in addition to the surprising number of adults in surprisingly high-quality costumes wandering about the city, I saw kids in ninja turtle costumes, college-aged people in Dark Knight regalia (including Batman, Bane, Catwoman, and other hangers-on), huge numbers of people wandering around in 20€ half-masks, and a smattering of the usual steampunk douchenozzles that seem to infest any event in which a costume is involved.

Most of the pictures come from the <em>Feste della Marie</em>, which is apparently a throwback to when the Doge would select 12 pretty commoners and underwrite massive dowries.

This is the most empty Piazza San Marco would be all weekend.

I find this style of mask unsettling and a bit repulsive.

I have to doubt the effectiveness of a dog collar on an octopus; they’re capable of squishing themselves into strangle places (like coke bottles).

If you’re going to dress up later, why not wander around during the day?

The pigeons approve.

A public costume contest takes place on the piazza.

The foxhead staff really completes the look.

A woman with a mess of pink feathers on her head stepped in front of me; the pink blob adds to the picture, in my opinion.

This is not the best vantage point for shooting the costume contest with an iPhone. Just an observation.

More pictures of people taking pictures.

Surprisingly, I did not acquire a hat.

Band out of nowhere; they disembarked from several privately-hired boats, took up their instruments, and started playing.

Things aren’t too bad at this point…

The procession is finally here.

One hears the procession before one sees it; this explains why.

Merchants.

Medic!

He’s having a great time.

The 12 Maries are shipped in via courier.

The end of the Marie-train.

Bankers, I’d guess.

I’m guessing that these heavy robes became uncomfortably warm.

Drums.

This guy appears to be important.

Minor wardrobe malfunction.

An apparently-important conversation.

Now I’m wondering what all of them are looking at.

The band makes another appearance.

High tide.

No clue.