Learning a new musical instrument

I've played piano, guitar, violin, recorder and tin whistle (with varying degrees of success in my day) but have given them all up due to various reasons... Now I'm feeling the urge to start playing something again. My small apartment rules out a piano or anything too loud, and I want to play pieces of music in its own right (i.e. not accompaniments as I mostly played on the guitar before - great for a group but not solo playing). Ideally I'd like to teach myself, but I cant decide what instrument to take up...although I always dreamed of learning the cello. I like all genres of music - classical, jazz, folksy...

Anyone have any suggestions to inspire me? Or even better, any instruments to sell?

Looking for something a little different and unusual? Something rare that not many people have ever seen or heard? How about a bandura?

It is a fairly soft sounding string instrument - a member of the lute family with elements of harp. It can be played solo or (most often) to accompany a singer, or in groups or 2 to 200+ with or without a choir.

Bandura Introduction



Variations on Waltzing Matilda



And a practice session taken at a summer bandura camp for young players.
Sonia - bandura practice



Hmm... I think I'll bring mine over next time I go back to Canada, and start playing again.