Making tracks!

Since I last posted we have covered quite a bit of ground. Wifi internet is fairly non-existent in Europe (or so it seems) or else I would have updated more. Let me give you the run-down of what we've been doing...

Currently we are visiting a beautiful place called Lake Garda, which is situated not too far from Venice and Verona. We spent two days in Florence, which was an incredible town (once you get past the rough parts). We stayed in a youth hostel that was once a mansion (trust me, it was not as glamorous as it sounds). It was beautiful on the outside, but it only had barebones amenities on the inside. The girls had to share a room with some Italian girls we didn't know, which turned out to be ok. We also got to meet a lot of other people our age who are traveling around Europe, many of whom were from the states. We traversed all over Florence and visited Il Duomo, which is an incredible example of Italian architecture and serves as the burial ground for many saints and other important religious figures. We also visited where the famous Medici family is buried along with the remains of some more saints. I was excited because I got to use my French! There were a TON of French people in Florence. We ate lunch at a fantastic authentic Italian ristorante. Then we went across the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, which is the oldest section of Florence and shopped and looked about some more. We had gelato -- which I'm fairly certain I'm now addicted to -- and then went for dinner at another Italian place (I guess they're all Italian places since we're in Italy). I ate gnocchi for the first time, which is now a new favorite. Then we walked back to the main square of Florence where the David by Michelangelo is and decided to sing. A HUGE crowd formed after a few minutes --we put out a hat and made 17.50 in ten minutes!! Not too shabby. Another high school choir walked up and sang for us too -- they were from Sweden like our friends from Cork. It was pretty awesome -- Dr. Copeland, if you're reading this, we tried to call you afterwards, but we weren't sure if we had your new number or not. We miss you!

After Florence we drove through the Tuscan country side and stopped at a vineyard and had lunch and a wine tasting. It was the most delicious food I've ever eaten in the most beautiful setting. Then we moved on to where we are now, Lake Garda. Yesterday we took a day trip to Venice, which is a very interesting place. There are no cars there; everyone uses boats and gondolas to get around, since the streets are essentially all water. It is a very picturesque place, but it smells awful as they canals double as sewage. It is also one of the most crowded places we've been, or at least it seemed that way -- all the streets are tiny so I'm sure the cramped space contributes to the crowded feel. We went to mass at St. Marco, which is all inlaid in gold mosaic on the inside and serves as the burial place for the famous St. Marco (I'm not Catholic, but apparently that's a big deal). On the way back to Lake Garda we stopped in Verona, where Romeo and Juliette is set. It is much more quiet but still a big place -- we lucked out because there was a cheese/food festival going on there by chance. Martin and I sampled cheese and proscuitto to buy to eat at the lake. I have never eaten such good cheese in my life -- and the sausages and meats -- enough to make the staunchest of vegitarians' mouths water. Then we came back to the lake for a good night's rest and a morning of sleeping in to follow.

Today we're just chilling out on the lake, which is stunning to say the least. I know that I describe everything as being so beautiful and wonderful, but it is true. I'm on sensory overload. The food is delicious, the weather is always perfect and the view includes snowcapped mountains, the ocean, flora and fauna all in the same panorama. It's magnificent. I'm spoiled now. Gulf Shores will never be the same. :-)

I miss everyone back home and I can't wait to show you all the pictures (I'm well over the 1000 mark with photos) and videos I have made. I love you Mom, Dad, Richard, Ty, Charlie and Oscar!! I'll see you all soon!