We’ve made our way to Italy, and have dashed through Venice and Florence. The latter came off as more likeable than the former, though I’m willing to blame the weather for some of it. The only other thing I’ll say is that the next time I visit Venice, it will be after winning a lottery.

Tomorrow we head back to Austria to visit more family roots (in the Zillertal, off the Inn, which is where my maternal grandfather comes from). I have no idea what to expect.

Haven’t seen much in the way of news (except for the papers they hand out on the trains--which means I’ve read a couple of Austrian papers and one German since I’ve been over here). Right now, I think I’d prefer the Renaissance, at least on aesthetic grounds.

One other remark about the difference between this touristic experience in the old country and the last one: there has been a remarkable increase (at least in this Rip van Winkle’s eyes) in the number of Middle Eastern and South Asian tourists. And since I’m not exactly moving in high class circles while I’m over here, I’m talking about folks who look vaguely middle class. Interesting.