countdown to carnevale!

Carnevale or Carnival is probably the most famous thing to come out of Venice (besides the whole city on water thing..).  Carnevale is a festival that starts on St. Stephen's Day (Dec. 26) and lasts to Ash Wednesday.  The Italian Carnevale of Venice dates back to the 12th century, where people dawned the famous masks and had luxurious parties complete with gluttony, adultery, and all those other deadly sins.  

I will be one of those fabulous people in 48 hours!  okay, minus a few deadly sins..  i am taking the night train to venice, arriving at 5:30am (what the hell am i supposed to do at 5:30am?), and partying until i drop.  I hope the dropping doesn't happen until Sunday morning when I grab another train back to Rome.  Sounds insane, I know...but NOT experiencing the famous Venetian Carnival would be a travesty.  Ideally, I would be attending one of those fabulously outrageous parties, in the most fabulous ball gown and powdered wig one can find - BUT i am one of the unfortunate poor and don't have 400 euro to spend on a ticket.  although, they all have some very wonderful entertainment.  maybe i could snag a gig for next year!  here's hoping.  oh well, i'm not bothered...i will dawn my mask with sue (my partner in crime, who's currently teaching in milan) and we'll eat, drink, and be merry (and did i mention FREEZING) for a whole 24 hours.  the pictures are going to be CRAZY!  stay tuned..