sono arrivata a Venezia!

ciao carissimi!

I've been here over a week and still can't believe my good fortune to be here many more weeks. Katherine and Brennan saw me off on March 4 from SF ( I can still see them waving) The plane trip was easy pie, and John was there at Marco Polo to meet me- how nice to see him. We zipped away in our water taxi to Campo S. Giustina and walked the few blocks in a light rain to the apartment. Timing was perfect because my roomates Andrew and Amelda were hosting a tea/soiree for the other students, so I got to see everyone together. Later in the evening Andrew walked me around so I could get a feel for the immediate neighborhood. He has a special way of noting landmarks that works for me- I haven't got lost yet. (Marian, you would be so proud!) 'Course, maybe the fact this is my fifth time in La Serenissima helps...

The next day the group left early on the train for Verona- I stayed home and slept after being up wide-awake since 3:00. Still don't have the sleep thing down. (sigh) The sun shone and I walked around, over to Biennale and Giardini, soaking it up.

Andrew and Amelda are great roommates- considerate, neat and fun to talk with. We've been cooking; I haven't had a restaurant meal yet. Some of the high points have been Amelda's clam pasta and scallop pasta and crab- so much wonderful fish and seafood. Friday evening John and Souheir invited me for dinner with their visiting friends Ed and Barb- risotto di mare, steamed mussels, bread, salad, vino, Burano cookies dipped in Amaro Montenegro...you can see how easy this place is to love!

Language classes are great- 4 hours a day, 5 days a week- and no English. Takes about half an hour to get there by 9:00. Everyone at the Istituto couldn't be nicer. Souheir and I are the only Americans in our level 3...others are German, Brasilian, Polish Amer, Japanese. Last week our classes were in a nearby Armenian monastery.

In the afternoons we met John somewhere to look at paintings and architecture that showed the shift in 14th C. Venice from Gothic to Renaissance. There's so much here that it's great to have him choose, and to put it all together is a special gift of his.

I was glad for the weekend - no classes, a chance to sleep and read (textbooks, but they're good!) and write a small paper. No painting yet...soon. I'm sitting outside at the Lido with my spritz writing you- the clouds have covered the sun and it's getting cool. La vita e' bella. I'm thinking of you all (w/o the snow).