26 May

Last weekend I went to Venice with my choir, where we performed in, among other venues, St Marco's cathedral... ultra cool.

Here is a lovely photo of my friend Janet and I in one of the narrow streets of Venice. Our friend James was kind enough to be a bit of a translator. The deal was that he would help us negotiate a gondola ride then we would part ways, but as it was we spent the day together, so it was James that took this photo. Janet and I (and Christine who was my roomie for the trip) got to have a gondola ride on the next day. But on the day of this photo we just wandered Venice, then went across to the neighbouring island to climb the tower at St George's cathedral, which gave us a glorious view over Venice. One of the exciting things for me for the day was finding a wee little craft shop, which was obviously aimed at locals rather than tourists. They were selling beads; not the fancy big Venetian millefleur beads, but the ones we would normally use back in Australia. There was a large glass jar containing the tiniest white glass beads I have ever seen. I could not believe how small they were. Unfortunately when I asked how much they were, the owner said that they were over 200 years old and not for sale. Most disappointing. However, she did sell me some other wee beads which are also antique but not quite as old.

We also explored San Marcos, and then, in the afternoon, the choir sang. San Marco is spectacular, with gorgeous gold mosaics depicting stories from the bible. I thought about the Sistene chapel and decided that doing the painting of the tiny tiles, firing them, laying them out again and then relaying them on a ceiling was more of an achievement.

 

On Saturday we had our gondola ride. Both Janet and I had decided that it was one of our goals for a trip to Venice. and of course, he had to be wearing the hat. We found one, and although the cost was pretty expensive, it was worth it for the joy of having the experience. We saw other gondolas with musicans playing accordian and singing, but as we got to enjoy their music without having paid for it, we didn't feel the loss. Then we walked over the rialto, and then I headed off to Murano. As all of you will know, glass is one of my "things". The salesmen in the shops could pick it too.

In the very first factory shop I entered, I was looking around, searching for any 16th c reproduction glass, and one of the salesman asked me what I was looking for. Once I explained he took me through a door into the private sales rooms, where they had the glass for big spenders. He showed me some stunning glasses for between 250 and 750 euro. I was actually pretty tempted by these... then he decided to take me to the very private rooms. Round some corridors and through 5 sets of doors he took me to the most exclusive room. There he showed me a dinner set; one plate, one bowl, a side plate and 4 glasses. Only €9000 for a setting for one. He said he could do me a great deal for a setting for six. Just €50,000. What's that in Aussie dollars? Oh... about $85,000.

Funnily enough I decided against buying them that day. Maybe next time.

18 May

This weekend will be an exciting one. I am off to Venice, "touring" with the choir. We will have quite a bit of time to wander around, so I should have some lovely photographs to show you.

The photo for today, however, is one I took in Amsterdam... would you buy chips from this man? He looks seriously deranged to me.

13 May

Well I have started organising my trip to Australia. A long shopping list and a list of things to pack to bring back with me.

One of the things that I find hardest about being overseas is knowing how much is going on back at home, in which I am not involved.

A dear friend of mine's father died recently. Three of my friends back in Australia are pregnant. My dear friend Andrew got married - CONGRATULATIONS Andrew!!

A large chunk of me wishes I could be there right now. It is truly frustrating not being able to be there for my friends, to be participating properly as a friend in their lives. But one of the things I am sure of is that I am where I am supposed to be right now. It just feels right, in a way I can't even begin to describe. I have days, when I am fighting to communicate with real estate agents and insurance agents, when it doesn't feel good to be here. But it does feel right.