The Venetian Odyssey, Part 1

To whom it may concern,

Venice is hands down the most beautiful place I have seen in my life. The culture is rich, the food is delicious, and the architecture epitomizes beauty like only a Swedish model can. Upon first reaching this cultural Mecca, I was stunned by its presence like some Nordic sailor first looking over the precipice of Valhalla.

It's just a shame I had to experience it the way I did.

Three hour walking tours are no way to learn about the history of a city. You need to be immersed in the crowds of people, and I learned infinitely more about the city and its inhabitants from the nightlife than the purgatory-esque dozen-or-so hours spent with a microphone plugged into the side of my head.

So there I am, cheap plastic headset hardwired into my skull, being herded through the streets and structures of one of the most culturally rich places on the planet with the rest of my fellow sheep, and I hate myself for how badly I just wanted it to end.

Structured dinners and activities made it feel like a 7th grade field trip with an overbearing, middle-aged mother leading me here, following me there.

"Be here at this time."
"Go to the bathroom, you'll have to later. No, everyone has to try."
"We are leaving in four minutes; if you're not here, we're leaving without you."

But goddamnit, no matter how badly you want to be left behind, they just won't.

From Florence, With Love

Erich