But wait, there's more

(Final count:  4 team trivia wins - that's 2 fridge magnets, a keychain, and a pin to add to my Windstar Crap collection.  Others on my team were going to give theirs away as stocking stuffers.  I have zero use for any of them, except the memories they trigger.)

Next stop was Way Too Much Time at the Venice airport.  Some flights were out and out cancelled; mine was just delayed two hours.  On account of one massive storm (which is presently dropping snow all over Scotland - please note the map of plow locations I snapped off the TV.  Zoom in.  Seems it's all about giving your plow a clever name.

I'm staying in one of those hotels with itty bitty rooms, on account of London being quite crowded for some reason.  (Large concerts at the big venues, Christmas lights and markets everywhere, and the occasional political protest/rally.)  Also, it's probably one of the only parts of England only dealing with light rain just now.

Went up theatre last night and saw "Operation Mincemeat," which was DELIGHTFUL.  When we'd gone to Messina, our guide mentioned the Allies took Sicily back before the Normandy Invasion.  So when the show was all about how the Allies misdirected Hitler into believing they were going to invade Sardinia instead, it seemed to link up with my earlier travels.  Anyway:  five performers, each playing multiple characters of both genders (and many nationalities) - often for laughs and occasionally for poignancy.  I'm torn on the score - music was distinctly unmemorable but lyrics were SUPER clever (and often fast).  It's coming to Broadway in the Spring and I suspect its sensibilities will play pretty well to liberal theatre peeps in 2025 America.

Wandered out in the rain this morning to check out the nearest Christmas Market - this at Trafalgar Square.  The food choices looked suitably decadent, but I was pretty disappointed in the gift stalls.  The offerings were pretty much the same stuff you see on offer year-round in countless stalls at Covent Garden and Camden Market, although (I imagine) slightly pricier due to location.

I may find myself at another (allegedly better) market later today.  Watch this space. 

Got a bit soggy and cold there (why do you feel colder in the rain?) so did what I normally do when soggy and cold - found the nearest Din Tai Fung and warmed myself with tea, soup, and xiao long bao.  (Foodgasm!)  Ready to face the world again.