Seeing the World

Feeding My Designer Eyewear Fetish

Update 9-2013
OK so I bought a pair of Warby Parker sunglasses. Quality is exceptional. Price was $150 for the glasses (frames and lenses)! The frames I wanted were a special edition and when I attempted to place my order on the internet the site kept locking up. 

I completed the purchase on the phone. The call resulted in being informed that a feature the internet requires was unnecessary for sunglasses (saved me $50)! Follow-up service was great. My advice is give these folks a try.  

Original Post.....
I love to travel and see the world. And to see the world I wear increasingly complex prescription eyewear. 

When I was young I wore contacts. They didn't steam up in the extreme cold and I could complement them with cool sunglasses. For reasons too boring to discuss I cannot wear contacts anymore, so I tend to obsess about my glasses. 

Anyway, in earlier posts I mentioned Ottica Carraro a shop in Venice that meticulously designs, crafts (in Italy) and sells its acetate and rubber eyewear at remarkable prices.

Websurfing tonight, I came across Warby Parker a domestic company that sells exceptionally well designed acetate and titanium eyewear with lenses for ridiculously low prices.*

So click....Warby Parker

And think about it, with the $400 you save over designer frames, you are halfway to a trip somewhere! 

Here's to seeing more of the world in 2013!

Roadboy's Travels © 2013

*Alas   :-(   I see Warby Parker's glasses are actually made in China. 

Venice My Way

A Day for Meandering

Well despite a long day of flying from Arizona to Venice, I arrived feeling pretty darned good. So I checked into my hotel, showered, took a couple hours of nap and then bought my 1.20 Euro ticket from the (exceptionally nice) Hilton Garden Inn to Venice.

Despite waiting for the mid-day sun to subside I still wound up walking for almost 5 hours. Bliss....

The Grand Canal Looking Towards The Rialto Bridge

I had only one firm destination and that was Ottica Carraro; Venice's home for one-of-kind, yet affordable, eyeglass frames. They aren't for everyone, but I love 'em.

The Glasses from Ottica Carrraro

Sooo Italian

The rest of the time I only had a general inclination where I was. Which, for Roadboy, is heaven. Cause thats when I stumble on stuff.

First off the Bridge of Sighs is in the middle of refurbishment and has been wrapped up in clouds. So, at least for now, it sort of has a Disneyland feel.

The Bridge of Sighs Has Been Seemingly Set Adrift

I then spent lots of time people watching, especially the kids (of all ages) feeding the pigeons on Piazza San Marco. Piazza San Marco joins Trafalgar Square in London and Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona as premiere pigeon / human play venues.

A Lot of The Best Stuff in Travel is Free

Like all Italian cities there were folks that were dressed like supermodels, mixed in with pure elegance, and a whole bunch of "What Not To Wear". 

Wow!

Wow?

The Music

The Food

The Art

David Slays......

Some Street Art

I can now verify that the Love Locks Craze I saw in Paris last winter has reached Venice. At least on the Accademia Bridge!

A Kiss, A Lock, A Key Is Tossed in The Canal

I finished off my movable feast with street food. A magnificent fresh mozzarella panini, a tall bottle of beer, and some cool mojito sorbet. 

Time for bed!

Tomorrow it is all day on the train to Florence and on to Siena, but I'll spend a couple of more days in Venice before I leave. 

Roadboy's Travels © 2011