This trip has been challenging. On the positive side, I coped with the inevitable difficulties that popped up along the way, without anxiety and without panic attacks. I was able to sing a bit (though not at full strength). I coped with the language (which is not too difficult in tourist areas) and was able to expand on my meagre Italian vocabulary. And Italy is undeniably gorgeous. As for the rest, it was lonely. There were so many incidents, little quir...

Romantic gondola ride for 1

Museum of Natural History - very eclectic collection. The display looked great but there were no English captions (unlike other museums I've visited). There was also a hunting section. I'm not a fan of hunting for sport - I like my meat on polystyrene trays, the way God intended - but these were all old which eases my middle-class guilt to some extent. Tonight is my last night before the excruciating flight home. I've decided I shall do a gondola ride this eve...

Sitting in an alley cafe with a wine spritzer, defending my club sandwich from manic pigeons

Arrived in Venice. The streets have no apparent plan, but I'm happy to wander aimlessly - it's not like I have anywhere particular to go. I'll check out a couple of museums perhaps tomorrow. Today's highlight was patting a puppy (and no, that's not a euphemism).