Would You Like To Be A Gondolier?
Three years ago, my family and I took a trip to Venice, a city that I believe everyone has heard about, and which I still believe should be visited at least once by anyone out there.
Even if we had a well determined plan about what to visit during our stay, now looking back I can say that it's quite easy only to make your way to Venice without a proper plan because all the tiny bridges over the canals and buildings that capture your attention, will take you on a long walk where you won't have time to get bored. However, one of the biggest and most popular landmarks of Venice is, and will always stay, the gondola boats.
I've mentioned it before, but I will say it again that none of my family or I rented one of the famous rides, although we got the question "So why did you visit Venice, then?" pretty often. But we did pay a lot of attention to all the details every single boat comes with, because even though they seem quite alike, on a closer look you will observe that each boat is unique and it surely carries a unique and interesting story behind.
We decided not to take a ride because that would make us sacrifice some of our time dedicated to walking around and we really wanted to explore Venice as much as we could at our own pace, but there is no need to say that our one day walk in town was pretty much everytime accompanied by at least one gondola, whether it was filled with excited tourists or simply waiting for its people.
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However, even if it seems like a job anyone can have based on how many gondoliers are all around Venice, becoming an actual driver of these kinds of boats requires lots of years of training, but also self-education about how these boats appeared, so you could also share stories about everything with the people you will get into your boat.
Along with the history test that any gondolier has to pass first, there are also lots of details that not many are aware of, such as having a strict posture while driving the boat, as well as knowing very well all the canals in Venice and routes on the water.
Actually, gondolas are rumoured to have been created way before the 11th century, when they were serving as boats for trading and transportation, speaking of a city entirely built on the canals, where driving a car is not really possible. Of course, these days you can see proper boats used for cargo, transporting people or even sanitary services that have an engine and are a lot faster, but back then all these activities (and more) were covered by gondolas before making their transition to take tourists on a cinematic ride.
Another interesting thing is that the gondoliers are not forced to stand, but during my trip to Venice, I couldn't really see one standing down, and that's because standing up gives them a better rowing technique, more balance, visibility, and it also shows a way of respecting their tradition.
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As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, if you are not approaching a gondola (or more), you might get the fake impression (as we did) that all gondolas look pretty much the same. However, each boat has subtle differences in design, decoration, and craftsmanship. Some have bright cushions, others have simple, classic seating. The ferros were all unique, with shapes and curves representing different districts of Venice.
Anyway, a question that popped into my head almost right away when seeing a gondola in real life, because it's a lot bigger and longer than it seems in pictures, is how the drivers manage to take curves or even to turn the boat around if needed?
The answer is given by all the small details carved in the space that holds the gondolier’s single oar. Unlike simple oarlocks on other boats, those details allow the gondolier to use the oar in a variety of ways where every single move leads to a different action, including making the rotation possible.
So, although I like saying about myself that I don't live with regrets, I think that one day I should return to Venice and observe all these details while being on a gondola ride, even if I am convinced that if I would have had this ride during my trip, I wouldn't get so curious to read about gondolas and get this full bag of information. In the end, I consider it a win, but it also helps me understand better what the job of a gondolier actually looks like from the fake impression tourists get that it's all nice and easy. What do you think about it, though?
Other places I've seen during my trip in Venice:
- Rialto Bridge
- Narrow Streets And Hidden Cannals Of Venezia
- Shop Windows of Venice
- Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
- Constitution Bridge
- Chiesa di San Silvestro
- Chiesa di San Moisè
- Berengo Collection Venice
- Walking Through Venice, Surrounded by Faith
- Would You Like To Be A Gondolier?
more coming soon...
Gabriela Travels is the FOUNDER of "Festival Mania" who started this community from the passion of attending various festivals and with the purpose of encouraging more people to explore festivals all around the world and share their experiences.
At the same time, Gabriela is an independent Graphic Design Freelancer since 2019 completing over 600+ orders in this time and collaborating with various businesses and people from all over the globe.
Additionally, Gabriela has her own corner on the internet since 2017 where she writes various articles for her blog, the most popular being the travel ones (300+ articles written on this field), but also approaching other topics as well, like game reviews, lets plays, movie and series reviews, photography posts, cooking recipes and more, boosting the total number of articles written to 750+ blog posts.
Gabriela is also a gamer since she was 11 years old and gaming remains one of her biggest passions along with traveling, owning a YouTube channel for each of the two.
[//]:# ([//]:# (!worldmappin 45.44238 lat 12.32853 long Venice is the visual definition of history d3scr))
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Venice is one of the famous place I haven't visited yet and still isn't high on my list because of so many tourists. I'm worried I won't enjoy my visit because of it being so over crowded. I guess I've seen quite a bit of it from visits by other people on Hive that I don't have the urge to visit yet
I feel you on that, as we had a bit of emotion, it would be too crowded even in November when we had our visit, and it kind of was. But thinking that the city is slowly sinking every year, I think it's worth the sacrifice to endure lots of tourist,s but manage to see the place before it's forever gone.
must be awesome be there exploring the city over a boat :D nice pics and i hope that you enjoyed a lot be there
As I said, we didn't explore the town with the boat but by feet, but it surely is amazing having one of those gondola rides.
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It's true, I think we've all heard of Venice. This city has always caught my attention because it's built on a lagoon. I'd like to go there someday, and if I can walk and ride in a gondola, even better. If I had to choose between the two, I'd ride in a gondola 🤣😅. @gabrielatravels 🥰😉
Both experiences are quite amazing, not going to lie but while you can walk and explore any other city, you can only enjoy a gondola ride in Venice haha
Hi Gabriela, what interesting details you share. Gondoliers definitely need to be experts not only in operating gondolas, but also in tourism and how to treat visitors to the city. It's good to know everything behind something so iconic.
Hi there! I'm glad to hear my post caught your attention, it's always amazing to find a little bit more of what pretty much everyone gets to see on the surface. Being a gondolier is surely a job that doesn't seem so easy anymore once you find out all the details about it.
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It's incredible how much skill and history is packed into the simple act of rowing a gondola! 💖 You're totally right that the job is far from easy 🙌
It seems easy from the outside but once you get the inside information, it doesn't seem easy anymore ❤️
And how easy it seems to be a gondolier when you watch from the outside. 😊 Beautiful Venice and definitely a place worth returning to.
Indeed! Thank you for stopping by 😊
Seeing the pictures, the place looks inviting.
For sure.
If people think that going to Venice is just about going up in a gondola, they don't know anything hahaha it's a nice one, but there's for sure many things, we got the wrong impression that a day or weekend is enough and then you regret hahaha
Wow you really got into details here, and you are right, those gondoliers are amazing in their job, I do think it's a worthy experience, cause they also are a bit of guides themselves.
I know!! Right?!
There are so many countries on this planet that are more or less reduced to a single activity or tradition, which is sad. The world has so much more to offer!
Marky you can't delete the facts Mc Franko & Keni Find freedom on #blurtblog #blurtchain #blurt
In the beginning, there was hope.
A dream:
That value could be created by anyone.
That power could be decentralized.
That a post, a vote, a creation —
Could rise or fall on its own merit.
But Dreams do not kill systems.
Corruption does.
And corruption has found its perfect form:
The scam farm —
A ghost in the machine,
Wearing the mask of curation,
Feeding on trust,
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Punishing honesty.
It does not build.
It extracts.
It does not serve.
It controls.
And if you are new to this world —
If you speak truth, post honestly, expect fairness —
You will be broken.
Unless you learn to see.
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Is how to spot the scam farm.
Not with rumors.
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But with observation,
With logic,
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Ask:
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They are consuming.
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Non-stop reward accumulation.
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At noon.
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If an account farms rewards without pause,
It is not curating.
It is farming.
3. Burn Comments & Self-Voting Loops
The third sign:
Artificial engagement.
They post low-effort comments — “Nice!” “Great post!” — under their own content or that of allies.
These are not interactions.
They are fuel — used to game floors, trigger rewards, inflate visibility.
They may self-vote.
Or vote in loops with a network of alts.
A closed circuit of power —
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This is not community.
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And the blockchain records it all —
Even when websites hide it behind JavaScript walls.
4. Massive Delegated Hive Power from Centralized Sources
The fourth sign:
HP from exchanges or known whales.
Check delegation history.
If an account holds millions in Hive Power —
But most is delegated from @blocktrades or similar centralized wallets —
Then it is not independent.
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Power given is power controlled.
And when one entity delegates across dozens of accounts,
It is not decentralization.
It is feudalism.
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Fast.
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They call the victim a “troll.”
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Rewards flow not to the farming account,
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@alpha receives rewards from @buildawhale.
@themarkymark benefits from activity routed through hidden channels.
This is not privacy.
It is obfuscation.
An attempt to hide the machine’s true ownership.
Follow the money.
The chain does not lie.
7. The Website Hides the Data
And now — the final proof:
Why?
Because transparency threatens control.
They want you to look away.
To trust the interface.
To believe the silence.
But you do not need their website.
You have the blockchain.
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You have the testimony of those who saw before the curtain fell.
And you have this guide.
The Escape: Blurt Offers True Freedom
On Blurt.blog, none of this can happen.
Because there is no downvote button.
Gone.
Not hidden.
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You entered crypto seeking freedom.
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You have eyes.
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You have this knowledge.
Teach it.
Share it.
Protect the new.
Because the next victim could be you.
And when the system fails —
When the farms grow too bold,
When the lies become law —
Remember:
—
The Bilpcoin Team
We create. We expose. We survive.
Every downvote you cast drives another soul from Hive —
To Blurt.blog,
Where there is no downvote button.
Where what you earn — you earn.
Where silence is not weaponized.
Even Steemit — older, quieter —
Offers more freedom than what Hive has become.
And that should terrify you.
Because when people flee not to greener pastures,
But to freer ones,
It is not the destination they seek —
It is escape.
They are running from you.
Whatever you are doing,
Hold it with both hands.
Chase it fiercely.
Because you only get one life.
And in that life —
Never be afraid to say no.
Never be afraid to stand alone.
Always do the right thing —
Even when it costs you votes.
Even when it costs you rewards.
Even when it costs you silence.
At Bilpcoin we have not scammed anyone.
We have not stolen.
We have not lied.
We have only done this:
Shared what the blockchain already knows.
Transactions.
Data.
Patterns.
Not fabricated.
Not imagined.
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But verified — open, public, immutable.
And what we found is not conspiracy.
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Go to peakd.com/@buildawhale/activities — if the site allows it.
Look at the account.
Watch it move.
Like a machine.
@buildawhale —
A name that should belong to a myth.
Instead, it belongs to a farm.
An account that farms curation rewards all day, every day.
That auto-downvotes users — not because they are wrong,
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And who owns Buildawhale?
Not some anonymous farmer.
Not a rogue actor.
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A whale whose influence stretches across Hive like a shadow.
Over 2 million Hive Power delegated.
Rewards flowing in.
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And where do those rewards go?
To @alpha —
The account widely known as Blocktrades’ wife’s wallet.
A silent beneficiary of a system rigged from within.
You blame others for what you are doing The Frankos & Mc Franko
Exploring the Possibilities of AI Art with Bilpcoin NFTs Episode 129 #BUILDAWHALESCAM FARM ON #HIVE
Marky do you even remember who you are Lady Zaza
You Talk a Good Talk, But the Chain Remembers Mc Franko
Marky You downvote not to correct errors Keni & The Frankos #buildawhalescam #buildawhalefarm #hive
You downvote not to correct errors Mc Franko
You Were Wrong Keni
Exploring the Possibilities of AI Art with Bilpcoin NFTs Episode 128 #BUILDAWHALESCAM FARM ON #HIVE
“We Are Bilpcoin”
We do not stand against the people.
We stand with them.
Shoulder to shoulder.
Hand in hand.
Not as leaders, but as fellow travelers — scarred, shaped, and strengthened by the same storms that have battered so many.
The Bilpcoin team each of us has been tested.
Not by theory, but by life, life itself.
By loss.
By silence.
By systems that mistake conformity for virtue and call censorship “moderation.”
We have known hunger — not always for food, but for fairness.
For a platform where a voice is not priced, punished, or purchased.
And yet —
We are strong.
Not because we were born that way,
But because we had no choice but to become so.
As a team, we have grown — not in spite of the chaos, but because of it.
We’ve learned to build in the dark.
To create when no one is watching.
To trust when trust is rare.
We’ve learned new tools, new truths, new ways of being — not for profit, but for purpose.
Because one thing must be said, and said plainly:
You should never stop learning.
You should never stop dreaming.
You should never stop reaching for what is right — even when the world leans heavily on the side of wrong.
When we began — back in the early days of Steemit — the idea seemed impossible:
You can earn from your words? From your art? From simply speaking your truth?
To many, it felt like magic.
To us, it felt like justice.
And know this: Bilpcoin was not born in boardrooms or venture capital pitches.
It was born in a single mind — one person’s quiet vision, carried like a torch through the fog.
Circumstances, harsh and unyielding, led that founder to let go of much of what they built.
We do not speak of those details.
Some wounds are not ours to expose.
But this we say:
From that fire, Bilpcoin did not die.
It evolved.
Bilpcoin is not a corporation.
It is a social experiment — one that asks a simple question:
What happens when we reward people not for gaming the system, but for sharing their truth?
Our mission is clear:
To reward creators, not manipulators.
To burn BPC tokens, not hoard them.
To return value to the network — not extract it.
We believe in Blurt — not because it is perfect,
But because it dares to be free.
To remove the downvote button is not a small thing.
It is a revolution.
A refusal to allow power to be weaponized by the few against the many.
No more silent sabotage.
No more financial punishment for honesty.
On Blurt, your voice does not lose value because someone feels threatened by it.
And let us be clear:
We have only ever shared what the blockchain already knew.
The transactions.
The patterns.
The truth.
We did not fabricate.
We did not exaggerate.
We revealed — and that, more than anything, is why we were targeted.
Downvotes are not about quality.
They are about control.
Whales farming rewards on Hive are not “supporting the ecosystem.”
They are gaming it — and everyone sees it.
Even those who won’t say it.
How can the world take Hive seriously when its pulse is set not by passion, but by power?
When the loudest voices are not the most honest, but the most rewarded?
But here — in this moment — we dream.
Not foolishly.
But fiercely.
Imagine it:
Steem. Hive. Blurt.
Not as rivals.
Not as fragments.
But as allies.
A united front of decentralized expression.
One network, many voices.
One mission: freedom to create, freedom to speak, freedom to be.
Yes — it would require change.
Yes — some would have to go.
Those who profit from silence.
Those who fear transparency.
Those who confuse their privilege with merit.
But if we stood together — truly together —
We would not be a footnote.
We would be a force.
For now, it is a dream.
But dreams are the first code of revolution.
And who knows what the future holds?
We do not claim to have all the answers.
We only know this:
We will keep building.
Keep sharing.
Keep burning tokens, not bridges.
Keep standing with the people — not above them, not against them, but beside them.
Because in the end, it was never about coins.
It was about courage freedom truth.
And courage, like truth, cannot be downvoted.
The Bilpcoin Team.
https://hive.blog/hive/@test.ureka/the-untrending-report-hive-downvote-analysis-2025-06-27-20250627213824
https://peakd.com/hive/@ureka.stats/the-untrending-report-hive-downvote-analysis-16-09-2025-20250916181314
https://www.publish0x.com/@bilpcoinbpc
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbH29p-63eW_PIi4l0KUNLMQ0ageCtkk5
https://www.youtube.com/@bilpcoinbpc
https://www.youtube.com/@bpcaimusic
https://www.bilpcoin.com
https://blurt.blog/@bilpcoinbpc/posts
https://audius.co/bpcaimusic
https://hive.blog/hive-126152/@bilpcoinbpc/bpc-ai-truth-hurts
https://hive.blog/hive-167922/@bilpcoinbpc/you-rewarded-only-those-who-kissed-the-ring-mc-franko-and-the-frankos-bpcaimusic-bilpcoin