It’s Monday and I only have two more days to get through the Arsenale and all of the fringe shows, not to mention all the countless shows that are on in the museums around here. I head off to the Arsenale really early even though I’m really tired today and not feeling well. I decide to take the vaporetto (waterbus) ,I usually walk. This was not a good idea .I was already feeling queasy and the boat trip did not help this feeling at all. I arrive at the Arsenale bridge feeling awful.
I follow the advice of an artist I met at my hostel, that is to start the Arsenale at the end and work my way towards the front.


This meant that I started with the African Pavillion when all my energy levels were still high. I am impressed; the show is really slick and definitely one of the best pavilion shows that I’ve seen.
I really am not feeling well but I push on into the Arsenale, the words hanging over the Turkish pavilion keep me going; Don’t complain.



Phillip Parenno’s speech bubble are great, they hang ominously over the viewer. There are squeaky balloon sounds and a tiny video in the corner.



I got past the Francis Alÿss piece which was fantastic except I had to run out, I was really ill. The projectile vomiting was not a form of physical criticism I can assure. The Biennale officials are very helpful, they even want to call an ambulance, I decline. Luckily I had just received a free t-shirt from the Check List Luanda Pop show so I had something to change into and avoid any more public humiliation.
I head back to my hostel via the pharmacy, the pharmacist says the most bizarre thing; ‘are you pining or missing someone?’ I respond by demanding rehydrating sachets with an annoyed look on my face. I get back to my room and pass out for the rest of the day. I am upset that I’ve had to waste precious time.