On My 37th…

I spent my birthday wandering…

I mostly window shopped, but splurged on a ring and matching earrings, a Murano glass wine bottle stopper, and of course a gondola for my tacky souvenir collection :)

I had lunch al fresco, with wine, which always feels so decadent in its simplicity, even in my own garden, but on an Venetian terrace on a spring afternoon, it’s really something special!

I went to Harry’s Bar, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway, Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin, and others famous enough to give it a pedigree exclusive enough to push drink prices to the brink of extortion. I didn’t think much of the place after seeing the €22 price tag for a gin and tonic, and €10 for a Coke. An espresso at one of the cafés on Piazza San Marco seemed a bit more honest and even though they’re tourist priced like everything else in Venice, at least the fleecing came with a side of orchestra music!

I sipped espresso as I watched the sunset over the lagoon. It was a perfect day… What did I do to deserve this life?

More photos and impressions to come :)