writing to you from Sicily

I am using the hotels computer behind the front desk so I will have to keep this fairly short, but yes I am writing to you from the wonderful island of Sicily. If you are following the events of late, the pope is clearly of ailing health and although most of the stations here in Italy are talking about nothing else, they are all doing it in Italian, so I promise you, you are getting more up to date information than we are.

But the trip itself so far has been great. A detailed description of the trip accompanied with pictures will be entered upon my return but a couple of highlights.

The flight in from German to Rome was so full I had to sit in the flight attendants seat (not with her in it) for the duration of the flight, facing the back of the plane with a 5 point harness. A very different experience.

Watching a country filled with Fiats, Peugets, and Smart cars only to rent, you guessed it a Ford Focus. Although a stick shift, it is a desel so handles much different, many stalls in awkward places.

We climbed Mt. Etna, which is a very active volcanoe to the height of 9,800 ft where there was a snow storm amongst the swirling of sulfur gas. Quite an experience, especially for four people who brought swim suits.

Crossing streets here is like watching Al Pacino in Scent of A Woman. You blindly wakl into traffic hoping they slow down or swerve. That is the only way to cross any of the streets.

More later, but we are all doing well and hoping we will be able to find a hotel room in Rome for one night before we fly out. Looks like that might be a little difficult.

All my best to everyone, and much more to follow.