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Citta Alta, Bergamo.



Well, we're home after a grueling 20 hour trip. It would be so much nicer if Italia were closer! Our flights and connections went smoothly, which was surprising given our luck most of the summer with airplanes. We arrived home to find "Welcome Home" balloon bouquets, flowers, and cupcakes from our incredible neighbors the McManus' who house-tended for us all summer. I woke up this morning confused as to where I was, having spent the better part of the last two months in so many hotel rooms. It was comforting to realize that I was home, and the air conditioning was a super bonus.

Thanks so much to all of you who packed your virtual luggage and followed along with us on our incredible summer vacation. It was great to read all the blog comments and stay in touch with everyone although we were a continent away. If I learned anything this summer it is this: Don't wait to take that vacation with your family or friends. There are so many amazing things to see and experience in this world of ours, and so many wonderful memories just waiting to be made. As the Romans said long ago, Carpe Diem, Sieze the Day. So for now, we'll be waiting to hear about your vacation plans and to become followers on your vacation blog!

One last cappuccino

We are here at the airport in Milano having one final cappuccino before boarding our flight. We had an incredible two months in Bella Italia and are already longing for our return. See everyone stateside. Arrivederci Italia e grazie per tutti. Mi mancerai. A presto.

Changes in latitude, changes in attitude

Well, today is our last full day here in Berzo and what a day it will be. We will be attending the festa for the 40th wedding anniversary of my cousin's who graciously house us when we visit Bella Italia. It will be a grand event for sure and wil also begin the process of saying goodbye to family and friends. Earlier this week I decided that the only way to accept the fact that we must leave is to change my attitude to one of looking forward to our next return trip. So, invoking Jimmy Buffett's song, I have begun the process of changing my attitude as I change my latitude. So, here's what I'm looking forward to stateside: seeing all the family and friends who have followed our adventures this summer, Mr Ghee the cat, Mr Homer the dog, air conditioning, a dishwasher, a real washing machine and dryer, no psycho drivers, Mexican food, real 3G cell phone coverage, not living out of a suicase, sleeping in my own bed, and yes, even a bit of fieldwork at China Mtn. One last post tomorrow before we fly west.

The concert

I bought our tickets for the concert 2 months two months ago and had been anxiously waiting for the event. Two months of anticipation seemed like forever especially since I would be seeing my favorite singer. Well it was so worth the wait!! The concert was outdoors at the Fiera di Bergamo where 8000 people heard him sing for over two hours. This was part of his world tour to promote the album "Ali e Radici" - wings and roots. He sang many of my favorite songs and it was great fun to sing along, especially since it was in Italian. Rachel joined in too on those she knew, which will now be an indelible memory of our first concert together. We captured some of the concert on our phones and Rachel videoed part of it on her camera too. I definitely had a raspy voice and throat the next morning but it was well worth it. All in all, It was an awesome experience. Yesterday we drove to Torino to visit the university where Rachel hopes to attend a summer session in a few years. We picked up some information and then walked around the city for a few hours visiting the Duomo and the nearby archaeological park of Roman ruins at the Porta Paletina. We will be spending our last few days visiting family and taking small trips around the Bergamo area. A lot of people keep asking me if I'm ready to go home after almost two months. The answer is the title of Eros' album "Ali e Radici" and the verse that talks about not being able to pick between wings and roots.

Three hour countdown to Eros

We picked up our tickets for the concert a few hours ago! I'm so excited I can hardly stand the wait. Just a few hours now and then, finally, I get to see Eros Ramazzotti!!! More tomorrow.

Our week in Milano is over, but we had a great time despite the incredible heat and humidity. I certainly will not miss the over-crowded Metro and the commute, but I will miss having an espresso every morning with the girls in the office. Our evening at La Scala was quite nice and the Romeo e Giulietta ballet itself was beautiful. Having bought tickets late, our seats weren't that great - we were in the highest tier and on the side - so we had to stand and sometimes crane our necks to see the performance, but it was well worth it. Honestly, I don't know how people can make their feet and bodies so supple - the dancers were amazing and so fluid. The opera house is beautiful inside, decorated in ornate burgundy and gold, along with a stunning chandelier - simply gorgeous. It was almost like you could feel history all around.

Last night we visited the Naviglia Grande area of Milano, a canal system that was started in the late AD 1100s to connect the city with the Ticino River in Switzerland. Leonardo da Vinci designed part of the system, which still carries water to the city, although many of the canal segments have been filled in. Barges once used the Naviglio Grande to transport the marble used to build the Duomo. Today, it is a lively area filled with bars and trattorias that cater to the "Happy Hour" crowd. After visiting the area, we stopped at a bar along the canal and had a glass of chardonnay and some really great appetizers. If you ever come to Milano, don't miss the Naviglia Grande area.

We are returning to Berzo today for family events this weekend. On Monday we head to Torino to visit the University (where Rachel hopes to become a student someday) and then the event I've been waiting for all summer - the Eros Ramazzotti concert in Bergamo Monday night. I'm not sure what our internet access will be like next week, so I might only be able to post text instead of pictures too.

Our week in Milano

We left Bergamo by train Sunday afternoon in the sweltering heat headed for Milano for the week. The smaller regional trains don't have air conditioning so it was a really uncomfortable and sweaty one hour trip. Luckily our hotel was close to the train station and I've never been so happy to be in air conditioning. It has been ridiculously hot for at least 10 days and there is no end in sight. It's not the heat that's the issue really - it's that combined with the humidity that makes it horrible. Anyway, I've been working at the office during the day while Rachel has been seeing Milan (and yes shopping but no shoes yet). My colleagues here are very friendly and accomodating and I'm enjoying the experience alot except for the 45 minute commute via subway and bus. You really get to see a cross section of Milan that way! Tonight we are dressing up and going to a ballet at La Scala, the world renowned opera house here in Milan. Just a few more days here than back to Berzo for a final week. I don't know how I'm gonna get myself on the airplane to come back. It's hard living in two worlds especially when your heart pulls one way and your reason pulls the other. It's so not fair!!!

The Alps and the Tour de France

This morning I read that Lance Armstrong begins his ascent of the Alps in the Tour de France, where he is expected to make a strong showing. So, here are a few pictures of those incredibly beautiful mountains taken from the airplane as we fly into Milano. Good luck Lance!

Arrivederci Greg and Venezia

We returned from Paris on Tuesday night and had a bit of excitement at the Milano airport. While waiting for our luggage (not it's not another lost luggage story), Rachel realized that she left her purse tucked underneath her seat on the airplane!!! So, we scrambled over to the baggage claim counter and worked with a very nice lady to get her purse back. Luckily, the plane hadn't left for elsewhere and after about 15 minutes of negotiations between the baggage personnel and the security folks, a policeman walked through the door with Rachel's purse. During the ordeal, I kept thinking that we might be spending the next day at the US Embassy trying to get Rachel's passport reissued, but thankfully everything worked out.

On Wednesday morning we said goodbye to the Third Musketeer - Greg - who left for the U.S. Despite several airplane delays, he made it back home and is adjusting to the time change (such a not-so-fun experience). After we dropped Greg at the airport, Rachel and I went shopping (go figure) on our way back to Berzo and, yes, she did get another pair of shoes (#6). I finally bought some too at Scarpe and Scarpe (translates to "shoes and shoes"). When we got back to Berzo, the electricity was off at my cousin Bruna and Gene's house where we are staying. Apparently, a pretty strong thunderstorm over the weekend killed the electricity, so by the time we got back days later, all the food in the fridge had to be thrown out, including all the wonderfully delicious cheeses, prosciutto, and salame. Oh the smell of rotting cheese...

Today we drove to Venezia for a final time and tonight we are staying in Padova. It's always hard to say goodbye to Venezia but I'm certain that I will return yet again. I don't know what it is about that city that draws me so strongly - the beautiful glass wares, the shimmering water, the beautiful architecture - but I'm glad that it does. Tomorrow we will visit the Basilica of San Antonio in Padova in memory of my Mom who was much devoted to him and to the orphanage established there in his name. Then back to Berzo to prepare for next week in Milano, where I will be working in the office. Yes, it's time to go back to work but, hey, at least I'm still here in Italy!

Versailles

One of the fountains

The palace

Palace

Palace

Gardens

Our plan for the day was to visit the Palace of Versailles, the home of Louis XIV (17th century king of France), which is about a 1/2 hour train ride from Paris. After three different Metro (the subway) connections, we finally got to the train station but ended up on the wrong train, taking one that left a few minutes earlier than the one to Versailles. So, we doubled back and finally made it out to the Palace. As luck would have it, the Palace is closed on Monday (!!!), so we ended up touring the gardens instead. They are vast and gorgeous, filled with fountains (that were turned off today), statues, topiaries, and rows upon rows of trees and flowered walkways. Just before leaving, a few of the fountains were turned on (we are guessing to "test" the lines), so we did get a chance to see some of their beauty. Although the palace itself was closed (a huge disappointment for Greg who planned the trip to Versailles), we were able to see it from the outside. It is enormous, really enormous and it is surrounded by the gardens where Louis XIV reportedly walked daily. By the end our our three hour walk everyone's feet were aching.

It is our last day in Paris. Tomorrow we fly back to Milan and Greg flies back to the US on Wednesday. Watch out Europe.....Elena and Rachel are on the loose for three more weeks.

Happy 4th of July from Paris

Arc d'Triomphe

Stained glass window at St. Germaine, the oldest church in Paris

Museum d' Orsay

Bon jour from Paris and Happy 4th of July to all. We flew in yesterday and were greeted by the usual bad weather that seems to be following us around Europe - yes, it was raining again! It's gorgeous weather today though, and we've been out enjoying the sites. We started at the Museum of Orsay which houses the collection of Impressionist and Post Impressiont art. I finally got a chance to see some original Van Gogh, Renoir, Cezanne, Gaughin, Monet, Manet, and others. The Van Gogh's were definitely my favorite, especially his self portrait - stunning! Greg says that if you walk around it 180 degrees his eyes followed you. We had lunch at a quaint, cafe near the museum and then we walked around the Notre Dame area for a bit longer. Tonight we are celebrating the 4th by taking in Paris - the City of Lights - after dark. Tomorrow we are planning on visiting the Palace of Versailles, which is about a 45 minute train trip outside of Paris. More tomorrow.....