Geo: 44.4944, 11.3492Sorry for being a downer yesterday, but that was the place I was in.... After blogging, I was getting ready for bed and the strap that you pull to bring the outside metal shutter down broke! That was the icing on the cake yesterday! So glad I had asked the manager to bring an extra sheet, he had brought two so I used one for some privacy.Prayed and read my Bible, and know that God is with me, so why feel lonely, overwhelmed, and scared sometimes? Because I'm human and struggle with all of those emotions... But am glad when I work through it, and come out on the other side closer to the Lord, when He assures me He is right here in Italy with me, not just when I go to church ... read more

Geo: 44.4944, 11.3492I've arrived safe and sound, was surprised to see our friends at the train station in Venice as I thought they were leaving before me, but no, we actually were on the same train! So it was good to see them again for a little bit.Pretty uneventful train ride, it's only about an hour and a half from Venice to Bologna by the Frecciarossa (fast speed) Train, it actually didn't go that fast as it slowed down for some towns and I think Bolognas was the 3rd stop so we may have gotten to top speed for just a little bit. Found the official taxi stand after asking a Polizia, the taxi driver was kind enough to call my apt manager and let him know I was on the way. Taxi cost a few ... read more

Geo: 45.4345, 12.3384Update on Jim and the Scuola situation! Just confirmed everything with the school, I have an apartment, will either bus or walk, on Google maps its a 30-minute walk to the school so not too bad, last year it was a 20-minute walk, I guess I'll get my steps in! This seems to be the best situation, it's a sofa bed for 2 weeks so hopefully, it won't kill my back. Going in with a good attitude and hoping for the best! Will try to put in a link to the apartment, it looks nice. http://www.halldis.com/property/san-felice-4118#dateFrom=18092016&dateTo=01102016&adults=1 Update on Jim: We were going to leave the apt at 7 to get him to the Piazzale Roma bus station but decided to leave at 6:30, so of course got out of here at 6:40 walked to ... read more

Geo: 45.4345, 12.3384To start off, I am praising the Lord because I finally have the lodging situation pretty much finalized I believe. Called the scuola this afternoon and they were still working on it! I mentioned that I was o.k. staying someplace one week and another place the other and the gal sounded very relieved that I suggested it. Within an hour she emailed and gave me two choices one was a week in an apartment with wifi and no washing machine and then a week in a homestay with both, the other was the first 2 nights in a B&B then have an apartment with wifi and washing machine, then the last night in a B&B again, the difference was 50 euros and I went with the second choice, will have either 2 or 3 ... read more

Geo: 45.442, 10.9955Well not sure when we got old but the way we are moaning and groaning makes it seem like it! Our feet and my back are tired... It's 6:30 pm and I'm at 15,767 steps and we still need to go out for dinner tonight and who knows where that will lead us? It's not really that many steps but I think it's the combo of so many days of walking on cobblestones and then standing on marble floors that make it seem more than it is.Today we got out at the crack of 11:30... Jim slept well last night for a change and I couldn't fall asleep until somewhere around 2 am, church bells woke me up around 8:30 am and there was no going back to sleep (and shouldn't have - we ... read more