Gearing up

Just a quick update:

We're gearing up for school. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we'll be orienting the new teachers. Some have been here all summer, one is arriving tomorrow morning. Two families, unfortunately, will not arrive in time for the orientation. Pray for all of them as they transistion.

My mom visited with us for a week and a half and had a fabulous time. She did a lot of things she'd never done before, like order in Indonesian, swim with sharks, and ride interesting forms of public transportation.

Merlin, our gray cat, ran away. Please pray with me that he'll come back.

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Where Saints and Pigeons Trod

Am I getting older or is travel getting harder? It took, including layovers, 30 hours before we arrived in Rome. So I had to ask myself, is it worth it? Recently, I watched a special on virtual worlds, and I began to wonder, "Could a virtual world fulfill my travel 'needs?'" It would certainly be cheaper, safer, less tiring, and possibly more educational. But what would I miss out on?

1) Bonding time with family or friends: Getting lost and ending up on an active volcano, coming face to face with a komodo dragon, or singing U2's "The Sweetest Thing" at the top of your lungs while you drive down I-40. From the ordinary to the extraordinary, these are the times I'll be talking about with friends for years to come. "Remember the time . . . " But could I convince my friends to meet up with me in virtual Rome? Or to slay a dragon with me on one of those online video games? and would it be a bonding experience, or would it be too lame and predictable?

2) The food: This used to be the biggest draw for me. Now, I find home cookin' to be the best, especially since you can find a recipe for anything on the internet. And I've come to appreciate the power of my imagination. That's where I find the best tasting gelatto. Over the years, my memory has enhanced the taste. mmmm . . .

3) The magic: I can read about the David. I can see pictures of the David. So what would make me want to travel to Florence and stand in line for 2 1/2 hours in the heat, just to see the David in person? If you've seen it yourself, then you know what. No copy, not even a photograph, can capture what Michelangelo did. There is something magical about walking through those doors and seeing with your own eyes as the light hits this magnificent work of art. And it's as though Michelangelo himself is there, ambling through the crowds, marvelling at the fact that the art he created 500 years ago is still standing. The only other place I can experience this is in my own memory and imagination. So when I'm sulking because the Renaissance never made it to Indonesia, I can close my eyes and walk back through the doors of the Accademia. I can admire the perfectly sculpted muscles of the David's legs, and the way the veins pop out on his hand. I can see the far-off look in his eyes. Because I've been there.

So what gets you packing?

Security

This summer was my first time to fly since the new liquids restrictions. Unfortunately, the paranoia over bottled water has made its way to Java. Going through the security checkpoint, I'm forced to leave my water bottle on a table with a few dozen others. I gulp down a few last drinks before following protocol. But the funny thing is that James walks through the metal detector and, too lazy to empty his pockets, sets it off. No one notices or cares that he has unknown metal content in his pockets, and he gets through.

But I Still Love Technology

Let me just take a moment out of my busy day to reflect in awe and wonder on that modern marvel we call the internet.

Where else can you talk heart to heart with people about the things that really interest you, like whether or not the Chipettes were the downfall of Alvin and the Chipmunks? Who needs co-workers, friends, and family, when my soul companions are all online, organized topically on easy-to-search discussion boards? Yes, we are living in a virtual world and I am a virtual girl. Thus far, I have not fully embraced cyberspace. Alas, we do not have high-speed internet at our fingertips. But I am intrigued and looking forward to the day when I can take a virtual tour of ancient Rome, play cards with my sister in NYC, or chat about the impending destruction of the planet with total strangers who have cool onscreen nicknames like "Fairy Princess." Currently, I'm limited to enjoying e-mail, bbcnews.com, blog-stalking, and the occasional skype conversation.

James's mother commented that someone (you know who you are!) sends her a postcard every month. She loves this. So James and I sat down with our address list Monday night. I wrote one card--just one--and it was painful. Writing out in longhand something that would take two weeks to arrive (if it got there at all), I was thinking, "This is ridiculous. I should just write these people an email."

So here's to the internet!

My darling mother took us to Italy for our annual rendezvous. Here she is at our hotel in Levanto, the fabulous Hotel Al Terra di Mare.

The Cinque Terre is a series of five small towns on the western coast of Italy, north of Rome, west of Florence, south of Genova and Milan. We stayed in Levanto, just north of Cinque Terre. Levanto has a lovely, long white sand beach with plenty of eateries and gelaterias. The shopping is easy to navigate as the town has a central piazza (Piazza Cavour) from which two streets take you to either of the main shopping lanes (Via Viviani or the city park).

A three minute train ride (only 1 euro) takes you to Monterosso, the nearest town of Cinque Terre. It's another short train ride or a 45 minute coastline hike to the next town. Choose your style, as either way you'll find yourself endulging in the pleasures of the Italian coast. Oh, don't miss out on eating taglioni alla pesto. It's a local pasta with our favorite Italian sauce.

Here my lovely mother sits at front of the Duomo in Florence. She visited with the men to her left. They were from the Ukraine but worked as carpenters in Florence now. Don't you love international acquaintances?

What are some of your favorite cities or international spots? Where have you found yourself able to revel in the flavors of another culture? Do share.