UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER HAPPENINGS

Ciao' to all!  So sorry for the delay and break in the blog---it seems to be very time consuming, and while we want to keep you all informed, we also want to experience the Italian lifestyle, sights, sounds and tastes (so something has to suffer, and in this case it's been the blog:(  ).  Since Ralph is otherwise engaged, you'll get the blog from the female perspective this time.

Since our last post we have had many guests and have enjoyed each one of them.  Our guest list started off with Rob and Kathy Parham and Rosa Tilton from our Bible study.  Rob and Kathy were here for two weeks (off and on as they traveled around Italy and Swiss Alps) and Rosa for 2 days (she was staying in Prague for the month of August and came down for a few days.  We toured Venice and Verona and had a wonderful time!  It's so much fun playing tour guide, but I have so much more to learn about this area.

Next in the visitor line up was our sister-in-law, Kim.  She lives in Phoenix with her husband, Ralph's brother, Phil.  She has had coworkers come and indulge in this fabulous opportunity as well.  Brianna's friend, Annette, came from England followed by my sister,  Lori and her friend, Rae.  We've had a fabulous time with everyone and what a blessing from John and Ann Blackburn to share this blessing with others.  

Classic tours for our guests begin or end with walking around Verona.  

1)  Viewing the Santuaria di Lourdes (a shrine to Mary) which prestigiously sits atop one of the highest places in Verona is acquired by a steep hike followed by a gelato while looking over the city of Verona.

2)  A walk through Centro (downtown) is a must, and along the way is Romeo's door, Juliette's balcony, checking out the street performers (there are some very creative ones like the man dressed in mid eastern garb seeming to hold up another man above his head (or sometimes a woman dressed in mid eastern garb) by a stick, the worst impression of Michael jackson with the worst wig ever, and freaky baby), the arena, more gelato, and shopping at the open air market, Piazza Erbe, and Piazza Bra'.

3)  Walking up the stairs to San Pietro's castle.

4) Verona pass to check out all sites around Verona including churches (there are a lot), parks, cafes, AND our favorite gelato places.

5) Bus trip to Lake Garda--very large lake not too far from here with little villages dotted around the lakes borders.  Beautiful!!!!!  Large, majestic mountains surround the lake and at the top of the lake there is a series of beautiful waterfalls inside of a mountain.  Outstanding!!!  God's creation never ceases to amaze me---the beauty, lush and green!  Powerful mountains that reveal a glimpse of God's majesty.  

6) Train trip to Venice, Murano (known for their glass jewelry, chandeliers, glassware, etc) and Burano (known for their lace) if there's time.

7) Experiencing a Kebab (a delicious sandwich of shaved chicken with different condiments).

We love coming back to the apartment for cheese, olives and bruschetta and an Italian meal and sometimes vino.

When Lori was here, we had a cooking lesson given by the cafe owner, Carlo's wife, Ikram.  Carlo and Ikram are becoming good friends and have been more than kind to us.  Ikram has made us dinner a couple of times (spaghetti with ragu sauce and gnocchi with marinara sauce) and we are getting together with both them soon for a dinner as well.   Ralph goes over daily and he has become like Norm on the tv show 'Cheers'.  He walks in and they all shout, "Ciao, Ralph!"