In Perugia

Well, I made it. I don’t know if I’ll be taking many pictures in Perugia. It’s hard enough trying to figure out how to get to the conference venues and how to get around town quickly. I ended up renting a car. Yep, that’s right, I’m driving a car around Italy! It’s actually not so bad. Everything is VERY well signed. Most Americans would be astonished by how well documented every intersection is. Plus, all of the cars are tiny. I don’t have to worry about being crushed by a giant Semi-truck or an F-350 here. And people don’t drive as fast as they have reputations for. Taxi drivers, ok. But the general public, not too bad. I haven’t gone above 80 kmph yet.

Why does traveling by yourself suck so much? I know some people really get into it, but I’ve never liked it. I don’t like sitting quietly among strangers having fun and chatting with each other. I don’t like sitting by myself in a restaurant when everybody else has somebody to enjoy their meal with.

I know some people feel that there is a strength of character found in being alone in a crowd. That the ability to sit quietly all day long is a skill of some sort, and that being able to eat a meal by themselves shows their true independence and self-confidence. I don’t feel that way. I am capable of doing all of these things, but I don’t like to.

I would rather have somebody with me occasionally than be by myself all of the time. I would rather share a view or a meal than revel in my independence. And I’d much rather have somebody there to back me up when things get sketchy or difficult, than have to face the world alone.

Just because I’m capable of traveling alone, doesn’t mean I have to like it.