Venezia

I am in Venice. I had planned to stay only one night here on account of financial expenditures, but will stay with a friend for another night and then move onward to Verona tomorrow. This is the Plan.

I have walked around a lot here in Venice. Last night I went to an 'opera' (in a place that was far too small for the powerful tenor who nearly busted my eardrums). Despite the decidedly inadequate venue, I was pleasantly tittled by my first experience with the opera. Wow - there is nothing quite like a stringed octet supporting the voice box of an opera singer .

Today I sat on a bench for a couple of hours to rest and play music. It was nice to play without a monetary-receptacle in front of me. Although I was able to find joy when playing in the streets for money, it feels different when I'm not trying to do anything but make music. I should probably feel the same whether or not I play for money, but when money becomes a part of the equation, something changes in my perception. I am not quite sure that I shall overcome the way I feel when I intend to make money for playing; I am not sure that I want to.

I met some welch musicians this morning in hotel adriatico who were scheduled to play a show with elton john in Venice. The show was cancelled, but they came for a photo shoot anyway. I might try to find them tonight for a beer. I'd like to catch a glimpse of their big smiles under freckels and red hair.

Venice is treating me well and I'd like to think that I am reciprocating the love. For some reason, while I was sitting on the bench today, two separate parties asked me for directions. For reasons unknown, I think I was actually able to help them out. One set of directions was given in english, and the other in italian. Wow, I am really learning italian: what a treat.

I think that I still want to try to get to Bologna after Verona. Only time will tell.

Soon the Fam will make their way to this beautiful boot and I will have time with the people that I really, truly love. Although I feel love and compassion for the wonderful people I am meeting here, it will be wonderful to spend time with my true loves in Italy. So much goodness still lies ahead of me in the blip of time remaining for me here.

I will surely want to come back once I have gone. I hope that I make it happen.

So much Love from me to you.

Paris

I have been in Paris for 4 nights and 3 days. Andrew and I have walked around a lot, eaten many delicious pastries, and are now preparing to part ways. Tonight I will board a Milano-bound train and that gets in at about 6am tomorrow morning. I am not exactly sure where I will go.

I might go to Venice or Verona or Bologna or all three.

I have been staying in the swanky apartment of Andrew's friend, Joseph. He is a fashion designer in Paris and has had little time between his research duties in vintage clothing stores, shopping excursions, and aperitivo parties at 11pm to play tour-guide. I am not quite sure that his rigorous work schedule (literally, he works 7 days a week) has allowed him to fully explore the city himself.

I am happy with a place to stay, but have been experiencing a lot of culture shock from being in an expensive apartment in an expensive city. I miss Avalon, or at least the way I felt there.

I am glad that I came here. And I am glad that I am going back to Italy to work on my italian and possibly try to find some friends that I have made.

This might be my last entry for a while as I have no idea where I will be in the coming days and weeks. I nebulously plan to return to Avalon and then head towards Rome to experience the italian rainbow gathering. And then, directly following that, my family is coming and I will meet them in Umbria.

I have a few more beautiful and exciting weeks ahead of me in Italy. Life is still sweet.

Love.