Right now I’m sitting underneath multiple layers of blanket on my couch riding out what the weather people call “Polar Vortex“. It’s basically a fancy term for “it’s ridiculously fucking cold outside”. The wind chill outside right now is hovering at -40F, that’s right, negative forty degrees. Even the polar bears at the Lincoln Park Zoo called in sick today because it’s too cold even for them.

To keep myself from getting too depressed, I’m trying to remind myself of the good old days and what awaits me after this awful winter passes. Late last summer, I spent my birthday going around the islands around the Venetian lagoon. My favorite by far was Burano. The colorful houses are whimsical, the food is delicious and cheap, and the locals were warm and friendly. Here are some of my favorite experiences and sights.