Saturday, Sept 16
Just back from all day trip into Venice. Actually I skipped out of Venice after 10 minutes because it was too crowded with tourists. Made my way to the Lido, Torcello, and Burano where it is much more real. Two weddings on Torcello, literally bumped into one of the brides.

Tomorrow is the anniversary year of Torcello celebration with a big visit from the Cardinal. If I wake up in time, maybe I will attend. Dinner tonight on Burano the multi-colored fishing and lace village. It's amazing to see hundreds of local people all dressed up, walking around the small squares.

My limited Italian came in very handy, as it was after dark and in a thunder storm that I had to find my way back to the boat stop. Funny how unfamiliar places look even more unfamiliar after the sun goes down. Also tomorrow may visit the Rodin sculpture show and / or a Bach concert on Murano.

The staff of the Chicken Hotel is very happy to see me, and they even left the gate open as I arrived way past the lock down hour. It's a long way back from Burano to St Marco to Tronchetto Car Park to Treviso. About three hours of boat, vaporetto and car travel. It was worth it as the thunderstorm cleared and the moon popped out over the Redentore Church.

Sunday Sept 17

I found a small Internet place between San Marco and the Rialto. It's easier than I thought to connect in Venezia as there are more internet connection sites than there are McDonald's here ( Thank goodness !!) Overslept and missed the Cardinal's Mass on Torcello, but spent a fine Day on Murano. I bought the moon and the stars today. Just finished a Vivaldi concert in S. Maria Formosa Church. Quite an intimate setting for chamber music. Maybe to la Zucca tonught for dinner    if I can find it after two years. Hopefully not closed on Domenica.

Monday, September 18

What a long day, 800 km total drive. Too much high speed driving though around Milano. It is exhilarating, but taxing. Tremendous two truck accident this morning as both vehicles were destroyed by fire. They tell me that this stiff happens everyday around here.    

I thought Renzo drove fast, but in afternoon traffic I followed Fabiani around the Milano Tangenzele at speeds in excess of 160 km ! He has an Audi A 8, and me the lowly, but  pretty fast Fiat Brava. He went from left lane across the middle lane, between two trucks in the right lane, and then off the exit ramp, all within about 100 meters. And all this with me behind him ! I think he forgot I was there. Arrived at my next appointment at 5 PM. about 40 km North of Milano Thank goodness they work later here ( to make up for the long lunches I guess.) Designer Adam Tihany, from New York, happened to be at Colber and we joked about  "Placido Domingo" testing all the chairs at the Disney mockups two years ago.

Got a 20 minute catnap around 9 PM on the autostrada  service area between Begamo and Vicenza. I needed it.  Out early again tomorrow AM to Vicenza and then a new shop not far from Treviso before an afternoon flight back to Dulles.