As some of you may know, I am off to Europe this summer. Over fifty friends raised money to ship me out of the country (That may have come out wrong). In exchange, I have promised to avoid manufacturing international scandal (speaking Italian with my faux Boonville accent—“Bawhn Geeorneeoh, Bubba”—is probably verboten), to bring my travels into the classroom (“Do you know how hard it is to find a public lavatory in Rome?”), and to return to Asheville and my teaching. (At least five mothers of my students have told me I might find some Italian woman who would love me. I have looked in the bathroom mirror and at my bank account. The wise say that laughter is good for the soul).
Only this week have I really found the time to focus on the details of the trip. These minutiae are a bit overwhelming. Can I pack a pocketknife into a suitcase? Will I really use Woolite to wash out my socks in a sink? Should I fly from London to Rome or take a sleeper car on a train? Why don’t Italian hotels provide washcloths? What’s the best way to learn Italian in two weeks? Should I purchase more life insurance so that if the plane plunges into the Atlantic I can leave my children some cash? Could I make the trip with two pieces of carry-on luggage or should I bring one piece and an enormous suitcase? Should I buy euros now or wait another week in hopes that the price will go down again? (Three weeks ago, the euro was near parity with the dollar. Now it’s at 1.14. Okay, I never claimed to be a financial genius, as my bank account will bear out).
While in Europe, I do plan to do the usual tourist run wherever I am: cathedrals, castles, museums, and so on. I also want to look into some modern European issues that keep popping up on various websites I follow. Is England dying? Is Islam taking over Rome? Why do so many Italians smoke cigarettes? These are questions demanding answers. I will address them as I learn more and share my findings here with you.
Finally, here is my schedule:
June 7…..Depart Dulles Airport
June 8—June 18…..Bounce around England and Scotland. See Poet’s Corner, the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill Bunker, the York cathedral, Edinburgh, Stratford-On-Avon. One of my students will join me for a day or two in London, and I will tag along with her seeing whatever she wishes to see. As her bodyguard, I should probably carry my pocketknife.
June 18—June 22…..Possibly Venice.
June 22—July 19….Rome. I will visit ruins, museums, and art galleries. Side-trips, particularly one to Ostia Antiqua, are in order. I will be busy touring the city, but if the Pope needs to see me, I will make myself available.
July 19….I will either fly back to the good old USA or take a boat to Libya with a suitcase stuffed with rosaries and Bibles. I hear the beaches there are wonderful this time of year.
So there you have it.
Motto for trip: Viam inveniemus aut viam faciemus. We will find a way or make a way. That’s from Hannibal, who also hailed from Libya.
Second motto: There are no problems. There are only adventures.
More later………….
While in Europe, I do plan to do the usual tourist run wherever I am: cathedrals, castles, museums, and so on. I also want to look into some modern European issues that keep popping up on various websites I follow. Is England dying? Is Islam taking over Rome? Why do so many Italians smoke cigarettes? These are questions demanding answers. I will address them as I learn more and share my findings here with you.
Finally, here is my schedule:
June 7…..Depart Dulles Airport
June 8—June 18…..Bounce around England and Scotland. See Poet’s Corner, the Imperial War Museum, the Churchill Bunker, the York cathedral, Edinburgh, Stratford-On-Avon. One of my students will join me for a day or two in London, and I will tag along with her seeing whatever she wishes to see. As her bodyguard, I should probably carry my pocketknife.
June 18—June 22…..Possibly Venice.
June 22—July 19….Rome. I will visit ruins, museums, and art galleries. Side-trips, particularly one to Ostia Antiqua, are in order. I will be busy touring the city, but if the Pope needs to see me, I will make myself available.
July 19….I will either fly back to the good old USA or take a boat to Libya with a suitcase stuffed with rosaries and Bibles. I hear the beaches there are wonderful this time of year.
So there you have it.
Motto for trip: Viam inveniemus aut viam faciemus. We will find a way or make a way. That’s from Hannibal, who also hailed from Libya.
Second motto: There are no problems. There are only adventures.
More later………….
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