like sardines in a tin can

Wow... if you've ever been to Venice in February during the carnivale, you'll know what I mean.   I've been to Venice many times before and yes, it can get very crowded especially during the summer.  But this was something else.  It took me roughly 1 hour just to get to San Marco square from the train station.  There are times when you're walking down an alley and suddenly there will be a swarm of people and you will be stuck there in a human traffic jam without anywhere to go.  Italians are so expressive that you'll occassionally hear people arguing about pedestrian right of way.  Which is funny.  It was okay though, since it was still winter, everyone was in winter jackets so being stuck next to hundreds of people wasn't so bad. You know how they say body heat is the best way to stay warm ;)   I think I was groped a few times while I waded through the crowd. Well... at least I hope I got groped. We should all be so lucky.

Anyways, the people in full costume and masks were astounding.  Some of them had such intricate designs.  They must have spent a fortune on those costumes.  In some ways, I found it a bit creepy taking their pictures.  They were like live mannequins.  The odd thing was that you could still see their eyes, and they would look straight at you.  Making eye contact with them was exciting, and at times disturbing.  They know what you look like, but you don't really know what they look like.  Plus, they did not say a word.  Most of them were out there in the piazza for hours.  I wonder where they'd go if they needed to use the bathroom. Hmmm...