hi ginger. . . i'm in the hotel. very tired but a good tired because I will sleep so great once I get to it. I got here fine, easily, except for lugging my very heavy luggage (hey, it's called luggage. . . just got that) up and down the stone bridges, cursing myself for bringing so much. It's not so much in space but somehow weight, yes. The nice man at the front desk said, 'don't worry about it, all the Americans bring so much. . . ' That of course made me feel peachy. But I'm in and settled here now for 3 days.

Now I'm going out to a grocery store and try to find something decent to eat. I did eat a delicious felafel pita at a kebab place earlier while waiting for my room to be ready, and if nothing else turns up, that may be it for the day.

Rain was forecast, but it's a beautiful day. I am in a tiny room, on a tiny calle, just off a canal and someone is practicing on a violin. nice.

I'll cc this to daddy so you don't have to repeat the excitement.

Glad you liked your book.

I'm about to start a new book I brought. It's about venice!

love to you both,

stay in touch. . .

-mom and dink