Great Guests!....

Lynn and Susan have come to Alessandria for a visit. They are our very close Seattle friends who have moved to Landstuhl, Germany to work and just enjoy life. We have spent the weekend talking, talking, talking, laughing, laughing, laughing. It's been wonderful!

Not much to describe here....

Wandering the streets of Alessandria....

Of course, we had to go to the cemetery...

Always new sights....The gentleman's picture at the top is surrounded by a crown of thorns...we were not sure what that means....for him....

Hard to tell, I know, but this is Pope John XXIII.....in a bubble.

Then, on to lighter events. Alessandria had an antique car show...."See, t h e USA, in your Chevrolet! America is ......" la la la la de la.....

Kim has fond memories of this car. Her father bought one years ago and thought the family of 5 would fit with no problems....

Fiat is the best! On many levels. Trust me, America.

Kim says that this is what the SS drove in movies....scary thought.

Timeless and classy....

We spied this grafitti...Remember the immigration issues? This say something like: "We are continuing to arrive...." aka, "we are here to stay...".

Susan stopped to light a candle...

because earlier she was caught trying to break into an old church....

We celebrated her release with a wonderful dinner. Susan treated us and it was a terrific gift.

We love these girlfriends. Thank you!!

Sister Wendy Speaks....

My name is Sister Wendy and I have been traveling with Kim and Rachel on their year sojourn to Italy. I've tried to keep a low profile so perhaps many of you have not seen me as the girls have blogged. But I have been present throughout and thought it would be nice to finally say hello and share a few of my thoughts with you.

The other day, while watching Kim and Rachel from my living room shelf perch, I saw Kim crying. She was sad about the fact that they’d just said goodbye to little Eduardo, son of an upstairs neighbor. Eduardo now lives in Turin with his mother and this was his last visit to our little housing complex before we leave to return to America. I heard Kim saying that she was so sad to have to say goodbye and before Rachel could even speak, I, as I am known to do, chimed in. “Girls”, I kindly began, “you know that you can’t say goodbye unless you say hello first”. They looked at me with their sad eyes and replied the only possible answer: “yes, we know, but….” “All things change; that’s the one thing we all can count on”, I continued.

Me and Mother Superior

Our conversation reminded me of a Mother Superior that I once had who often told me that terminations and endings begin the moment we say hello and how one approaches each event reflects their life growth. “Are you one of those people who causes a fight before you leave because it’s easier to be angry than sad over endings?” she had asked. I thought for awhile and said, “No, I’m the type that sneaks out the back door and just disappears, avoiding the whole mess”, I replied. Mother Superior looked at me with her piercing and soul searching eyes and said, “Stop it. Don’t do that anymore. Now that we’ve had this conversation you must change your ways and face endings in a totally different manner. You must now embrace them for they reflect the profoundness of a gift you were given-- the gift of others”. I’ve never forgotten her sage wisdom and I am hoping the girls will now take my words to heart. After all, what an experience we all have had!

When they first presented me with the idea of our journey to Italy I smiled thinking it was the talk of fantasies. After all, they both had good solid jobs and the stability many strive for and dream of. While traveling to Italy has always been MY personal dream, I didn’t want my lust to get in the way of their good Seattle life. But, they did it and I must say, my prayers were answered!

I haven’t really had an opportunity to write this past year; the girls are always hogging the computer. And, truth be told, the keys are rather large and I tire easily hopping from key to key. But, given that we are almost at the end of our stay (my, we leave two weeks from today), I want to convey a few of my favorite moments and highlights. For me, being in Italy has been like a Jew in the Holy Land. All of the churches and sights will remain with me forever more.

Upon our arrival, the girls bought two of these mugs--they reminded the girls of good friends Ken & John in Seattle who have their own monkey friend.

Our first trip was to Turin and here is our view from the hotel room. Yes, rest assured, I did jump right down after the picture was taken!

At my insistence we went to the Egyptian Museum.

What a thrill for me! Very few people get to have this experience...(Praise Be....!!!)

Afterward, to rest our feet and to settle ourselves from the sheer excitement of the museum, we stopped at an out door cafe where those silly girls of mine spent 8 Euro on two glasses of iced tea.

Another fun memory was a day trip we took to Genoa. My, what a city! So full of history, beauty, and diversity. The waterfront reminded me of our waterfront in Seattle. And, speaking of the waterfront, that's where we spent a good part of our day--at the Genoa Aquarium, the largest in Italy. Usually I don't really go for aquariums but the girls wanted to and I am their guest after all, so I happily went along. And was I ever in for a show and a fantastic time!

Alligators or crocodiles! I don't know which but I was glad to be up on this perch. Yikes!! But totally worth the rush!

And then, check this beautiful monster out! What sights at this aquarium and I marveled at the creativity of Our Creator. My, my, my. Praise be!

Next visit was to beautiful San Remo. Let's not tell Rick Steves about it. What a relaxing time we had. While I sat on the deck and studied my verses, the girls would play cribbage and drink wine--and yes, I must admit I too had a sip (or two).

While I may indulge in a sip from time to time, this scene I do not approve of. I was coerced and no, I did not give up a prayer--except to have Rachel release me from this undignified position!

This, I must say, was one of my favorite trips--to Lucca and then the Umbria region--Perugia and Assisi will remain in my heart forever. And, on top of the election and changes in America, it was a very memorable time for me.

Here, in Assisi I stood in the Roman temple dedicated to Isis. The girls had to drag me away.

Standing upon this antiquity was so emotional for me. And, knowing that perhaps, my beloved St. Francis may have walked here just left me swooning. If the other Sisters could see me now...

Instead of smelling salts, the girls bought me hot chocolate--some of the best in the world!

Kim agrees with me!

I can't forget our Christmas holiday. The girls made such an effort to spruce things up. It was hard for me to give up my wings after New Years--yes, even I struggle with attachment.

Then, of course there was Venice...

I know it's hard to see me but I'm in the gondola. What a fine handsome gondolier that was!!
(Alas, my vows...)

There's so much more for me to say but I hear the girls coming and I know that they're going to want to use the computer. AND, my sweet dear God niece, Wendy, is here visiting with Lynn and Susan. I am so proud of her. She's now living in Germany and has come for a weekend visit. We have much to explore. I will write more later.

As the girls say, "ciao" and Amen. sw

Italy's Future...

Our day began quietly. We were just drinking our coffee and Kim was soundly beating me in Cribbage when a knock came upon our door. Who could it be? Why, it was Rita and she had an invitation to join her at a school athletic event. Did we want to go? You bet!

It's a big school physical fitness day...

But first, we had to take a scenic walk and while strolling Rita pointed out some of her favorite buildings and sights.

This is an aluminum foil presentation which Rita says is to keep away the pigeons. Kim says she had a client once who did a similar thing but that was to keep away intrusive sound waves.

Fun hits of beauty. We never tire of seeing new (or old) artistic presentations.

Classy; plain and simple.

Kim says that I already blogged this but I'll bet that not one of you reading this remembers.

This is an entry way to a building that we'd never peeked into before. These are their mailboxes.

The ceiling of the entry mail room...

Rita says that this isn't old but we don't care. It's a great touch!

Finally, to the main event. One of the schools near the park where all the action would be taking place.

Enthusiastic arrivals

Organized chaos.

And just who might that be in the white cap?

Win or lose--solidarity. They stood this way for a good 20 minutes.

A racing course that I was glad I didn't have to figure out....

Some had their doubts....

Others wished to be anywhere but here....

Tantalizing nourishment await the participants.

While you are reading this, perhaps your environment is nice and calm and quiet. I would be remiss to not bring you the din of this fun event. Given the opportunity, we are all the same, no matter our age or nationality. This was lots of fun to watch; we love spectator sports!