So starts the second week of my stay in Europe. I need to stay longer - I can tell that already. I liked Wien but I'm glad to move on. Italy presents a big challenge - the language difficulty. However, I was able to quickly buy a telephone card and call a pension (and secure a room).

I was able to use my quickly-learned Italian for the phone card and the room but it was a good thing the proprietress spoke English well. I'm going to rent a motoscooter in a day or two and pop down to San Gimignano and Siena for a day.

Spent a semi-sleepless night on the train from Wien. Shared the compartment with two Austrians (nice, but oh so proper--as it later turned out they didn't have the right reservations but they insisted on the top bunks nevertheless. No problem--light wouldn't go all the way out. I'm sure it caused some sleeplessness.) One Italian-Austrian (nice but quite reticent) and a girl with a bad attitude (blond girl disfigured with brown facial blotches). Her attitude made me think that we make the world we live in-she was an asshole so no one talked to her. Her disfigurement had nothing to do with it (though I'm sure she didn't think so).

Right now I'm sitting in a little cafe killing a couple of hours until my room is clean and ready. I really want a shower, shave and fresh clothes.

The Locando Orchidea is run by an English woman recommended in the Let's Go (again). Clean rooms, if not quiet. Good hot showers. They use flash heaters to heat the water. Why don't we use them in the states? So much more economical than regular heaters. Unlimited hot water! What a wonderful concept. Anyway, the villa I stayed in was once the home of Dante Allegheri's wife. What a claim to fame. Odd that he is at least as favored a son as Michelangelo. Obviously the Italians are a very literate people.

I love the sound of the Italian language - it is music to my ears. My immediate impression is that most Italian people are good-looking. The girls are certainly quite handsome.

I noticed a market street as I walked into the center of town a little while ago. I think I'll go cruise it shortly.