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!