Che Bella Giornata/What a beautiful day!

The big event today was meeting our dear friend Massimo who generously took the train from his home in Bergamo to spend the day with us. We walked down Strada Nova, stopping for coffee about half way to the station.  I saw this —construction?  Given the Biennale it could be anything.

Being early we had a chance to sit on the steps of Santa Lucia and take in the view but I was really interested in watching the porters lined up in front.  They each seemed to be a different ethnicity and just waiting for the next group to come out with their heavy bags.  

In a few minutes, Massimo arrived with big hugs all around.  Wanting to walk in a more peaceful area, we took a left off of the main drag and wandered together.  I realized we were near Madonna del Orto church so we went in there.  Massimo remembered there is a painter represented there from Bergamo, Palma del Vecchio, I think.  We were all drawn to this statue, thinking it was modern but it was from the 14th century and we surmised it must have been unfinished.

Lunch at Ostaria Boccadoro was, to use my friend Amy’s word, competent, food-wise.  It was the company that made it so rich and memorable.  Massimo is so knowledgable about Italian history (he is a university professor) that seeing things through his eyes was an education.  He explained a lot about the Italian communist party and that they are, in no way, aligned with Putin.  

After lunch we came up to our apartment and talked some more until it was time to walk Massimo back to the train.  Realizing we didn’t have a picture we took this quick and silly selfie: (Doesn’t Massimo really look the part of professor?)

Ken and I walked back to the big Despar supermarket, in the old Venetian Theater, for just a few things and we stopped at the little local “Farm” shop with vegetables from Sant Erasmo, in the lagoon.

I was anxious to hear Amy’s impressions from Homo Faber so we met her and Larry for a pre-dinner drink at the Combo bar.  We stayed longer than expected because a nice little thunder storm rolled in.  It’s so nice to have a tiny community right here in Venice.

We got home close to 8:00, put some laundry in  and I just got into bed.  No dinner at all.  

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I really enjoy them!