cafe florian

cafe florian, posted by karlakp.

I grabbed Rich's camera away from him to take this picture. It's the famed Cafe Florian, on the Piazza San Marco. It's been there since the early 1700's. Room after gilded room of tables, frescos, velvet and very expensive coffee. You could also sit outside, where you paid even more, to soak in the atmosphere of the plaza (and smell of pigeon shit). In the evenings they had small orchestras play for the customers. Crowds would gather to hear. Free show for passers-by!
It was very crowded, very international and very overwhelming.