Back to Brescia

I have a lot of history in Brescia, and I'm eager to return. Most notably it's the home of my SCA persona, Vincenzo da Brescia. I chose the city years before my first Italy tour, based on its prominence in 16th century music (known for fine instruments and the first violins, until neighboring Cremona took precedence with Stradivarius). It also helped that, from its origins as a cisalpine Celtic village, Brescia's genetic heritage would come fairly close to my own Irish-Italian roots. It was a pleasant addition to find that Brescians also made for a fine audience over the course of several tours.

Until I got busted for selling CDs, that is. In places where the busking regulations are unclear, it's up to any individual polizia whether what I do is kosher. I had no troubles on several occasions, even selling a cd to one particular officer, until another one said I was out of line.

It's been several years, however, and I'm going to give it another shot. If I get in trouble again, enough time has passed that I doubt it'll be a big issue: ignoring a cop is a bigger deal than "so sorry, I'm a foreigner, it won't happen again". Plus, a cop in Padua told me that a way around peddling laws was to display product without a price and call it an advertisement. As a last resort, I've had luck busking in nearby Bergamo and Cremona and can commute if I must.

But I hope it won't be necessary, and that my adopted city is as kind to me as it was my first few tours. I'll let you know!