It seems impossible that I was just in Chicago for a week and that our session at RSA was a whole week ago. Since I’ve been back in V., I’ve done little more than sleep and go to two rehearsals, which accentuates the unreality (surreality?) of the week. In the end, I did wish I had a little more time at home, since there were lots o’ folks I didn’t get to see, and there were still tasks on my to-do list. There are far more tasks on my Venice to-do list, though, so it’s good to be back.
Despite the rain this morning, I went grocery shopping. Now, I love my neighborhood — because I’m hooked into the parallel universe of locals — but, since I’m smack in the middle of the Burmuda triangle* of tourism, shopping can be a chore. Masks, Murano glass, leather goods, and fancy stationery are plentiful. Fairly-priced produce and dry-goods are not. A trip to the Billa supermarket on the Zattere entails two bridges going and two bridges and a boat ride coming back. The trek used to make me crazy, but not as much as the chaos in the store itself. I am now a much calmer, more patient person, however, and can get through the entire experience without having an attack of agoraphobia. The checkout line still stresses me out — because there’s no bagger — but that’s manageable. I’d be a more motivated shopper if I liked cooking. That, like fashion sense, might require more than a 10-month sojourn here to sink in.
* Rialto Bridge — Piazza S. Marco — Accademia Bridge
