Technological HELL

Now, (adesso) knowing that this is Italy and they have always had trouble keeping candy vending machines going....my Blackberry refuses to work and there is no wireless WiFi in the room as advertised. So - very little blogging has gone on from this computer in the lobby. I have tons of pics and they will be posted as soon as I find an internet cafe and can use my own computer. After an hour on the phone to the states, the Blackberry sort of works - don't want to see that bill.oh and BTW - I understand that its warmish in Md. For the record, with the breeze index, it was 76 feeling like 72 today. Its wonderful. More very soon.

T minus 2 and counting

Doesn't seem possible that we only have two days to pull this all together. Laundry to do, stuff to gather up and a grant to finish writing (I have completed THREE end of the year grant reports - early mind you!). The store is all populated with wonderful ladies who take care of things while we are away: Debbie, Ruth, Donna, Ann, Sally, & Barbara (what we do without these friends???).
The next step and the hardest of leaving town is taking our baby to her temporary digs near Cambridge. Our dear friends Virginia and Walt are having Tumpany for two weeks where she will be loved and fused over and put her dads' troubled minds at ease.

The last reservation is in place and the GPS we rented (in Italian!) was delivered here yesterday. Ain't technology grand (I still consult maps!)? I have been reviewing my Italian for a couple of months and its amazing how much of it comes back; even at my advanced age. Both places we are staying are off the beaten track and not EVERYONE speaks English as the pundits claim. BTW (yeah technology!) I have my blackberry and computer with me so emails and phone calls are easy.

Tuesday we leave from Salisbury "International" Airport, change planes in Charlotte and fly directly to Rome. We pick up our car and drive a short 75 klicks to Lake Bracciano - just down the road from the castle where Katie and Tom (Cruise of course) were married a couple of years ago. Then on Saturday, back to Rome to pick up Beth and Rob and head south for the Amalfi Coast. We've got cooking lessons and a boat charter all planned, as well as trips to Pompei, Positano and maybe Sorrento. We'll see how the 2nd week flies by! The weather forecast looks heavenly 72-78 and the most threatening is a couple of partly cloudy days.

Naples weather

Just so you know....today it is a high of 74 in Naples and partly cloudy over the weekend. Never a day OVER 78 in the next week or so. Beth, Rob and Phil are so lucky...this means I won't be that bad to travel with. We are so ready to go.

...and SWAC membership meeting - check!

Got ready for the membership meeting - very well attended;

had the meeting - very, very long;

cleaned up after the meeting. DOUBLE CHECK!

Now "to breathe - dare to dream!"

Checking 'em off - one at a time!

WSCL appearance - check (and it was damned good)

Student benefit recital - check (and he was damned good)

I have had the worse time getting this hotel near Lake Bracciano to respond to any of my reservation requests. While I realize that "domani" is the name of the game, I really would like someplace CONFIRMED to go to after climbing off our 8 hour+ (from Salisbury) flight. That's the goal today is book an apartment in the boonies while we wait for Beth and Rob to arrive and get us rooms at the airport for returning home on July 3. I once dragged a choir all the way to a small town in Italy, Porto Venere to sing a scheduled concert and when I contacted the preist to find out what time we could get in the church to rehearse, he told me he guessed that it was too busy a time to do the concert. Thankx anyway. Say wha-a-a-a-a-a-a??? Ya gotta love 'em.

Is it me or is time just DRAGGING???

Lots to keep us busy over the next 2 1/2 weeks for sure. My Chamber Singers appearance at the WSCL concert on the 5 June and immediately following my student Brendon's benefit recital on Sunday afternoon 6 June. In between getting the store in shape to run itself while we are away is our Arts Council Annual Meeting on 13 June. We'll return just in time for the 4th of July!

The Amalfi Coast is known for its rugged terrain, quaint villages and dozens of breath taking (and death defying) views from your rented car - if you are not faint of heart. Of course I am foolish enough to drive because of my fiercly independent nature. One day will surely be a quick boat trip to the Isle of Capri - home of the famous ladies' pants from the 60's.

The Countdown Officially Begins