OK... after a bite and a double, we get on the Amersterdam flight. The 1st 3 hours take FOREVER. Finally, Sis whips out the drugs. Whatchya takin, i ask. A relaxant. I'll take one, sez me. I don't remember much about the next 3 hours cuz I zonked out. Woke up, played some tunes on the ipod and we were there. 8.5 hours to ams... 90 mph tailwinds help. Clear customs, have bfast, fly to Milano. High overcast, but warm. Take an expensive cab ride to Stresa, on Lake Magiorre. Nice hotel... only one bummer. We thot we were going to a quiet sleepy Italian lake town. wrongo... Italian Grand Prix (boats) is going on... afternoon racing, throngs of people, but fun never the less. Went for a long stroll, then back to the hotel for a siesta. Newly energized, we're off to dinner. There a islands in the lake, each with beautiful gardens, etc. That will be our Sunday. Leave Monday for Switzerland. Ciao 4 now. Phillippe

Crack 'o dawn

Just dropped sister Caren off at the Max. Who is up at this ungawdly hour, you ask? Garbage haulers, a taxi and a tow truck. Lots of men sleeping on the sidewalk. Traffic? - non existent. Red lights? - stop, then proceed through them. You can really get to where you're going in a hurry... only problem is - there's no place to go!
Next stop Amsterdam.
P

Dust off the suitcase

It's time to dust off the suitcase.
On Friday October 2, we set a course to Switzerland and northern Italy. Having just wrapped up helping #1 son Jeff finish a 7 month dive school in Seattle (he's headed to Guam), I decided that this was NOT the year to be traveling (have you see the Euro lately?...argh!).
But soon I realized that the real enemy here was not money (or the lack thereof), it was time. Because comrades, you're only allotted so much time on this planet. Best use it wisely.
And... by the way, I wanted to see scenes like this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb6yBsVW0ug&feature=PlayList&p=5DAD38FB678110C3&index=4

Above is best played at home, with the speakers turned way up (wait for the commercial to end).
Ciao 4 now
Phillippe