Thursday 4th Jan already

It's the 4th of January already. I have been confused what day it is since I left home almost a month ago, but I think because my phone is on Italian time and my computer is on Australian time that doesn't help with my confusion. Doesn't matter, I go by my calendar that I made and just tick off days, that way I know what I'm supposed to be doing tomorrow, anything else I don't really take any notice of. I know tomorrow I am moving from this monastery in between the Rialto and San Marco to a monastery on the other side of Venice, a much quieter part of the island but within maybe 10 - 15 minutes walking distance to San Marco. The whole place takes 15 minutes to walk from one side to the other, Venice is not really very big. It just seems that way because the calle (lanes) are so many and small that no sooner have you walked into one that it's time to turn and walk into another.

Today I sent another parcel home, this time a much lighter and cheaper to send parcel. Then I took a traghetto and got off at a stop I had never heard of or seen before and walked around the skinny little calle until I walked past an osteria. An osteria is not as formal as a restaurant and even less formal than a trattoria - or that's what it was described to me as, but I found it to be about the same as the other places I have eaten, actually the service was probably better. Osteria serve mostly home made and typically Venezian food and this one was not a lot different, and it even had a few vegan things listed on its menu. I opted for minestrone soup and a glass of wine and was definitely not disappointed. The wine was the best I have had in Venice - probably Italy - and the soup was delish!! There were mostly workmen there having their lunches, not much conversation but a lot of eating, I don't think anyone spoke english and everyone understood my Italian. I was more than happy and took a picture on Google Maps of where I was in the hope that I could find the place again. Hope I can!

Then I walked back to the monastery and packed up all my shit, although 'all my shit' is getting less and less with ten more days to go I don't need anywhere near as many jumpers and warm clothes any more, definitely don't need the long johns I bought to wear yesterday! So my load is getting less so by the time I leave Venice I should only have my bathroom stuff and any pills I have left, I'm thinking of taking my summer clothes in my carry on bag so when I get to Singapore I will get changed at the airport and chuck out whatever jumper and pants I am wearing because I sure as hell won't be needing them there!

I've downloaded some podcasts and been listening to them this afternoon as I have packed. The nun's wifi bill will be going through the roof with me continually logged on for the internet and downloading stuff as well as podcasts! It's not a bad place at all to stay at, very central to everything, easy to find but I'm ready for a new place. I'm going to spend tomorrow getting my bearings then on Saturday it is the day of the befana and there is a boat race on the grand canal so will go and see what that's all about. I'm also having a look at a couple of places I might get the train to for day trips, I have a couple of walking tours booked and a tour of the basilica, so my time in Venice that is left is almost filled, but there is plenty of time for wandering around the arty area of the island too.

Some photos from my wanderings today ...