I have to say that the Bianco Luccio inn has been far more enjoyable than anticipated. I will be a bit disappointed to leave this evening. The innkeeper has been very kind, he reminds me of a grandfather I never knew. The poor man lost his wife more than a decade ago, and his daughter married some years after the incident. Now his son- whom I have only met once, spends his time sleeping about in his room while his father works. The one time I did meet the son, he was barely awake, practically tripping over air as he stumbled through the hazy world of daylight. I half-expected the innkeeper to offer his son to me as a husband, but it would seem that there is some bad blood between the two, and he is unable to even jest about his son now.


Bastia, to say the least, is uneventful, but the people are incredibly polite. I stepped back from a market stall and bumped into a woman, but it was she who apologized. Strange people. I purchased a scarf at one of the shops, it's very soft but too warm to wear even in the hot weather. It has been good to use to keep the draft off my neck at the inn while I sleep though. I can guess it was not woven from the finest of threads, the craftsmanship would be laughed at in Veneto, so even I am a bit dazzled that I even bought it.

The docks are probably the most impressive spectacle to witness in this city. The entire pier is made of wood however it is so well kept I would think it was rebuilt every year. I heard from the innkeeper that many ships stop briefly at Bastia for any needed repairs and supplies, mostly French and Spanish ships who do not wish to mettle with the larger Italian cities.

I have already sent word to aunt Franca, so perhaps I will be lucky enough to receive a Loredan welcome. As well, thinking about Bastia, aunt Franca, and the Loredani tradelines... I have been wondering about the family in general. It seems Venezia is the only place besides Genoa where the Loredani are so organized, in terms of having a head of the family. Those in Spain, France, Britain, the Greek Isles, the Germanics, Russia, the Ottomans... they seem to be like... strays almost. The Genoese Loredani however, I feel are more brethren than all the rest,

I suppose I am not quite so sad to leave Bastia, as I have family to look forward to. And the prospect of a new trade agreement.