where to begin?

every time i go on a trip i relish it.

even if there are moments that you don't want to remember but know that you will [the little screaming on the plane as it takes off - i don't want to be on broken airplane - want to go home - get off broken airplane ! {{our flight out was delayed by an hour while they fixed the air conditioning. it was hot. we were forced off. put back on. the little did great. until she was supposed to be buckled in her own seat. then the no-nap flip out occurred. luckily it only lasted a few minutes - though it seemed like an eternity}}]



in the end i learned that the little IS actually pretty flexible. and that she's pretty fascinated by things that surround her, especially if i point them out [in the car from the airport: me: wow look at all these old buildings. little: where are the old buildings mama. where are they?]



and it is incredible to see a new land through the eyes of a two year old. i wonder what she will remember of this trip. what i will remember through her eyes are pigeons [feeding them and especially white ones], trams [the number 2 by our apt was orange. we also rode the number 4 which was green], that we all fit on a boat, limonata is spicy bubbly water, gelato spoons would probably be good for oatmeal back home, cream puffs, fountains, hunting for stray cats at the castle.....



it is so fascinating to me how with in a few days the exotic can become normal. it was normal to see the incredible details everywhere. to pass the duomo on my way to work [installing at the gallery] for 3 days in a row. to hear sing songy conversations and not really understand them [except for a few words like importante and bella and bambino]



to eat amazing treats



to spend time with eireann who seamlessly became part of my family. whose generosity, wit, and natural politeness [and by this i mean a very unique way of participating -- she is present and engaged and opinionated, but simultaneously completely aware and attuned to those around her] was more apparent in person than can ever be discerned from her online persona.



milano was full. full of architectural details. full of color. full of well-dressed people [especially older women]. i will try to write a bit about a few of the places we saw. we spent a day in venice which was like a dream.



and the gallery . i can't believe i have a show in milan. that this was the impetus to go. this is their bathroom. of course more on the show to follow.

but for now? i'm still tackling laundry and an inbox and a huge stack of grading.