Travels

Just returned from Amsterdam and Brussels; had an amazing time, but it was my first, and hopefully last solo traveling excursion. Its just more fun to share the experience with another person/people. I will post pictures later.

Found this map which was pretty cool about how much/places in the world you've visited. 12% for me already...seems like its been much more, but this world is a big place :)

Create your own travel map


Anonymous has traveled to: Afghanistan, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kuwait, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City, Vietnam, USA States: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin

MT Etna Erupts!...and I'm at work :(

View from housing in Marinai; just 7 miles West of the main base
Were the majority is lit up on the bottom on the left is the city I live in, Motta

Craziness!

So last night, for the first time since 2002 (well more than just a trickle), Mt Etna erupted. Mt Etna is the main area that we can see from base, which we often call the 'She' as she is a female (always smoking) volcano. Starting at around 9pm it started to spew and just got more intense till about 2 am. This morning I walked out to my car covered in soot; grey ashy soot. thankfully I have an awesome neighbor who washed my car while I slept today.

They have posted various things on base about the air quality, but it isn't foggy out, the wind seems to be going further west and so I was able to do some running outside without coughing up a lung (yet!). Can't be much worse than Afganistan.

So thats news here...luckily, so far, all flights are a go as I depart for Brussels/Amsterdam on Sunday for a few days. Ciao Ciao!

Firenza New Years 2011

The locks of love and committment near the Ponte Vecchio bridge


Pisa!

Happy New Years! As I uploaded these photos I couldn't help but think I should rename this blog to be called something outside of Life in Italy as I often post in regards to travels and events outside of Italy. I have done a fair share of travel inside Italy as well....but too me the more exciting locations have been outside.

For New Years a group of friends and I traveled to Florence over a 4 day weekend and rented an apartment for the 6 of us to be able to stay together. We had a great time, drank lots of wine and champagne, saw the sites, ate lots of delicious food and enjoyed the company of some friends who are departing soon, myself included.

Which brings me to the most exciting news of the New Year; I recieved my ORDERS to Camp Pendelton which means its official. I will depart Sicily in June and hope to travel back home this summer as well. I look forward to the next adventure and am eager to get back to Southern California! I can understand I am very lucky to be stationed here in Sicily, and know I take advantage of that sometimes, as I describe it simply; I am a spoiled American who misses the conveniences of the States.

Till next time, ciao, ciao!