Some Random Thoughts V

1. Here Chip is, working feverishly on the train from Venice to Verona. Billable hours, anyone?

2. When he's not working so hard, Chip has this uncanny way of making friends everywhere he goes. Here he is with a group of new friends at Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence. And, yes, here he is with some similar new friends in Rome. That man gets around!

3. No, no sense of obligation to authenticity, no devotion to the history of a place, no value placed on local products and tastes. Here they are—a McDonald’s in Venice that even a pigeon from Piazza San Marco has managed to discover; and one in Rome, just steps from where Audrey and Gregory spent their singular Roman Holiday.

4. And while we’re on the topic of corporations, yes, here it is, the first Starbucks I’ve seen since January, and in quaint little Heidelberg of all places. Oh, I know what you’re wondering. No, I wasn’t even remotely tempted to go in for my usual grande nonfat extra-hot latte!

5. While in our hotel in Verona, I noticed a strange thing placed under the sink. Whatever could it be? Was it some sort of storage area? Was it a minibar? Further inspection revealed its true identity. Yes, folks, here you have it, something no one can live without—a pull-down bidet!

6. This sign in a church in Venice pretty much says it all. Priceless!

7. Now on a more serious note. It’s funny, but it was harder to say goodbye to Chip this time than it was back in January, even though we’ll now be apart for a shorter amount of time. It’s probably because now that he’s been in Florence with me, he’s left behind all kinds of memories. Now when I’m in my apartment or walking around the city, I can picture him there with me, and it makes me miss him even more. But as we were saying our goodbyes in Würtzburg, he said to me, “Just think, Carolyn, as soon as you get back home, we’ll be able to rediscover San Francisco together.” I can’t wait…