From Italy

Italy was amazing. Absolutely amazing. I'm still shocked that I dropped everything to go overseas for a few days, but I'm so very glad I did (lesson to take away: always ALWAYS have a current passport. I'm glad I did).

Here's a few 'greatest hits' from my trip to Sienna, Pisa and Rome:





































Even though the language was different, the trip reminded me a lot of when I lived in England while studying at Oxford University. I forgot how much Europeans walk and how little waste they produce compared to the U.S. At gas station restaurants, for example, they don't do takeaway coffee. You drink it -- from a reusable cup -- at the rest stop, then go. Want orange juice? They make it fresh to order and serve it to you in a glass. It's the best orange juice I've ever had, and made the small bottle I bought last night before teaching class seem flat and tasteless. As more people in the U.S. "go green," I can only hope that these kinds of attitudes become more prevalent here.

That last pictures is of Emily's Italian cousin. I knew it was time to go home when I sought out other people's dogs and tried out my French on Italians to ask if I could pet the dogs. My mom brought Emily to the airport when she picked me up -- I've never seen a dog freak out as much as she did, but in a good way. Here she is on the day of my return:



I feel bad leaving the little gal again next week. Yup, I'm on the road again, this time to Tampa. Now, I planned this trip before the possibility of a World Series involving the Phillies even presented itself, but if there is a series, boy, will it be a more complex trip.

I hope to be back to the shore soon. I've heard a rumor that my face is on a handbag being sold in Cape May...something to do with the Cape May Star & Wave turning their pages into handbags, and my mug's on one of them. I won't get down to Cape May until Halloween, so if you see one and have a digital camera, let me know. I also hear that I'm in this week's Exit Zero...a copy's being mailed to me, so we'll see what they say!

**UPDATE**Since so many people have asked: these photos were taken with a Canon Powershot SX110IS. I love it. I'm not a pro, but I found it easy to use (of course, it helped that I had this guy, who showed me how to use some of the special features). It's also light enough and small enough to carry in a purse, and the price isn't outrageous. Glad I got it before I went to Italy!