I'm here!!!

WOW! I am actually in Italy! 

I followed the sun for two full days, without sleep, and now I am here! 

Just to hear people around me speaking in Italian is so FUN! 

I am understanding a lot! 

My trip was good. I saw actress Claire Danes in JFK and literally bumpeded into Jay Manuel - judge from "America's Next Top Model" - as I boarded my flight to Amsterdam. I read the entire first part of "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert on the flight from JFK to Amsterdam. *The first part of her book discusses her 4 months in Italy. I could not put that book down. I just loved reading about Italy knowing I would be there shortly.

Then on my flight from Amsterdam to Bologna I had the priviliage of sitting next to a charming and very friendly Italian woman. We spoke, mostly in Italian, which was so exciting for me! I was holding my own! As I glanced out the window, I realized that we were flying over the Alps! WOW! Bellisimo! Then my new friend kindly offered to share a cab with me - which she ended up paying for! She said if I hadn't already paid for my hotel that I should stay at her home!

All my luggage arrived - and in one piece! Now I am at my hotel in Bologna, which is very nice for only 30£ a night. I am waiting to meet up with Rachel, whose flight arrives in a few hours. Then we can go eat and force ourselves to stay awake until it's time to sleep here. 

Tomorrow we'll be off to Pesaro.

So dear friends and family - I am here and so far everything is molto bene!

Ciao!

*Update ... Rachel arrived!  "We made it!"  We are both fried but need to stay up for the day so as to help with the effects of jet lag.  

SO - we're off to explore Bologna!