Glad to have my compagnero (John S to my Susan), friend, lover, co-conspirator joining me today in Firenze. I imagine him right now in Venice, taking the bus from VCE to Piazzale Roma, possibly contemplating the rain that may be there (too), wondering as I did: why the heck did they built all those steps on the recently-constructed, very long bridge over to the rail station when 50% of the people, maybe more, are toting luggage. Forse: Benvenuti a Italia! O well . . . it will be grrrrrreat to have some company.