TOO MANY OVERWEIGHT TOURISTS FOR VENICE GONDOLIERS

Venice gondola boats are reducing the number of people they bring on board because of too many overweight tourists. The smaller boats have reduced capacity from six to five people, and the larger boats have dropped from 14 to 12 passengers. Raoul Roveratto, the president of the association of substitute gondoliers, bluntly described the situation, saying, “Tourists are now overweight. When the boat is fully loaded, the hull sinks and water enters. Advancing with over half a ton of meat on board is dangerous.”
* “That’s MISTER Half A Ton Of Meat, if you don’t mind.”
* Also, as soon as they get in the boat, the water level rises all over Venice.
* Well maybe Italy ought to stop serving such delicious food. Ever thought about that, Slim?
* Something that would help AND look very festive – tie about 300 helium balloons to each gondola.
* “Just a moment, signora. I’m-a gonna need a bigger oar.”