Casa Aurora Ravenna

... as each seat filled the novelty soon wore off. It became cramped and uncomfortable... both physically and socially. As soon as we got to Austria however, the stunning views of the huge, steaming mountain forests, and ice blue rivers took our minds off the traveling conditions. On several occasions we couldn't help but gasp and 'wow' at the surroundings (which I felt quite guilty for doing because there was a blind woman in our carriage).

Nevertheless, it is an understatement to ...

... I pass each farmyard. It is a true slice of authentic Italian countryside. Although I still don't speak much (if any!) Italian, I share big smiles and waves with the neighboring farmers. This morning on my way back, a farmer came running out to greet me with the most lovely bouquet of sunflowers! :)

Then we (the other Helpers and I) feed the animals before we sit down to our breakie of fruit salad (straight from the garden), muslli and milk that you get out of a dispenser from ...

... bye to Michelle, I headed to Athens where I spent the night. Not much to report. I don't even have any pictures because my camera stopped working there the whole time in that city! Weird! So I arrived to Roma the next day, found my hostel, and could not wipe off the ear to ear grin from my face! HOLY SH** - I'M IN ROME!!

I think of Roma and I start to swoon. It is the most beautiful, magical, enchanting and sexy city I have ever seen! The food ...

...klingt ja ziemlich schrecklich d** Titel - od** ?

Ab** d** Reihe nach.
D** Abend am Lago di Trasimeno war sehr angenehm und ruhig - nicht einmal die Eisenbahn haben wir gehört - die ziemlich nah am Platz vorbeifährt.
Haben beschlossen diesmal zu kochen . Einkauf beim Lidl und danngings los. Die Arbeiten waren gleich v**teilt.

Hannah - ... ich schneid´ den ...

... the world) it was one of the more enjoyable and relaxing days we have had. Also pretty funny was when we went grocery shopping they actually had their own vats of wine in the store but funnier than that was when Jen got caught by the armed security gaurd taking a photo and he started ranting in Italian at her. Not much else to say just a real different kind of beach town that has a historic center. Very relaxing and fun. Now it is off to Verona the next morning...

... sheds and workshops and a big yard in addition to various plots of land around it. Most importantly is had an outdoor grill, a wood fired Pizza oven, and a keg. So we sipped a beer or two and watched LeLe’s huge Bulldog Bud run around after Ciba’s dog Cookie. I’d never seen a bulldog run before. They wrote names on our cups and I was handed one that said, ‘gypsy.’ That nickname is pretty official at this point.

A couple ...

... museum was closed that day.We explained we had come all this way to see it and he kindly agreed to open it up after lunch for us. He showed us a place to get lunch agreeing to meet us back at the museum in an hour and half. At lunch we ate a great meal of antipasto and pasta and I downed the house wine which came in a caraffe. Not wanting to waste it I drank the lot and so was suitably mellow by 3pm when we returned to the museum. The museum was ...

... il mio italiano.
Le cose più belle sono successe in questo viaggio. Ho conosciuto gente dal tutto il mondo e ho fatto amici veramente di cuore. Al corso italiano che andavo ho conosciuto l'amore della mia vita e la persona migliore per girare il mondo. Ho cominciato a viaggiare molto purtoppo finora solo in Europa ma con la intenzione di andare dappertutto.
Milano, la grigia città secondo molti, la città più brutta di Italia, per me era incredibile...

... and the Julian calendar were my favorites. Close to my hotel was the Basilica di Sant Apollinare Nuovo. It had more stunning mosaics. The size and beauty of the mosaics just floors you. Ravenna bills itself as the city of mosaics for good reason. What is so interesting to me is the number of buildings from about the same time period that are all of one style, have the most incredible mosaics and are spread out around the old town. Six of these buildings ...

... all later. i never cease to be amazed when i first catch sight of st. mark's square. i've been here like 6 or 7 times already, maybe more, but the first time i see it, i am totally blown away. i should make more attempts to just come and sit here with a book or the lappie in the future. it's just so gorgeous. anyway, what have i been up to since i last wrote? well, i went on a day trip with two coworkers to ravenna. it took about 2.5 hours to get there because ...