Fahim,
Window boxes just like that are seen in a lot of places but one special location is in the Mediterranean island of Malta, where fresh flowers indicates a daughter ready for marriage, domiciles there. Those who are interested are expected to come to Church on sunday and meet the father! this is a moral society!
However, the broken brickwork and disrepair immediately brought to mind Venice, Italy, where merchants sell luxury goods to tourists in the most lavishly decorated stores below, oblivious to the moral decay they worked in. People earn money, but only a small fraction ends up being taxed as there are multiple layers of separate economies and so there's no money in the end for infrastructure! What's so foolish, (me preaching again

), is that this way, there are less government construction and maintenance jobs that could stimulate the economy!
Yes, it's Venice for sure and one of the most desirable destinations for vacation: music, beautiful streets and churches, some of the finest galleries and one place in the world where one can dine well every day and never put on weight. Why? Well, if you are good tourist and appreciate everything Venice has to offer, you end up walking fast everywhere. Of course, once could wait for a crowded
vaporetto………………..or get a water taxi, but most folk get used to brisk walking!
Thanks, Fahim for bringing this ever blooming rose, Venice, to us!
Asher