Well up until now, my infant baptism had done me just fine! But being baptized in the Jordan River was too special to pass up.
About 2/3 of the group were immersed in cool running water where the Sea of Galilee empties into the Jordan. Special outfits, singing, 3 pastors, supportive friends, tears, wet hugs, photos, little fish, loud Alleluias…and then the commemorative gift shop!
Leave it to Israel to process and distribute more than 1/2 the world’s diamonds. Oh they don’t get mined here, DeBeers sends them here to be brokered for the best price around the world. Of course the bus took us to the wholesale mart where my dear sweet husband bought me a diamond and blue topaz ring in honor of our trip and 40th anniversary! What a guy!
First full day and it’s Memorial Day here followed by their Independence day, so every family is out. First, a day of mourning with sirens for silence, flags, lots of troops out for protection and services to honor all who have lost their lives in any modern-times Israel war (and remember their days start at sundown). And then we enjoyed their Independence Day when they became an official country on May 10,1948 (and Steve’s exact birthday!)
We are all amazed at the number of Muslem cities and mosques in this country, and to find out that the West Bank is actually Samaria and on the west side of the river Jordan — smack dab in the middle of this country!!!!!
I feel like such a dummy, and it’s full of Palestinians and they want Israel to give it to them? Hellooooooo. They already gave them the Gaza. They are being picked to death by chickens with guns and minerets (don’t push Israel)!
While college friends and sisters went and backpacked thru Europe when they were young, in 1971 we chose marriage, Vietnam, and family with the prospect of travel to happen when we launched the kids,the dog died, and the house was paid for. Getting married at 21 & 23 meant we had mucho time to see the world! Wanna see God smile? tell Him your plans.
Though not on our timetable, the travel is happening and most of it is sweet! The guy I fell for in “67 and married 40 years ago this 22 of May is back in my life and more like his ‘ol self when we are on the road. We are getting along, defining new roles, really really appreciating this gift of time and travel together.
If I just didn’t miss the grandbabies so!!!!
Last time in Italy, Steve went 3 months between haircuts and we re-discovered his curly locks. Still keeping with this European style, we booked him an appointment with a true Italiano stylista.
Good by Goldilocks, ciao Romeo.
Carson Is A Natural Traveller
After a couple weeks of touring Italy and laying back with us in Montalcino, KC, Jonathan and Bimbo Carson headed back to the US of A via Pisa.
They were fortunate to rendezvous with Heather and Heinz who came down from Switzerland to visit for a few hours.
Unfortunately for the Wilts, their 7 am flight was canceled, and the rescheduling put them 7 hours later in SD, and picked up by Andy.
When Steve dropped them off in Pisa, He also dropped our rental car off and took a couple trains and even hitchhiked!
The most pleasant of English country towns you will ever find! The Kallas’ and the Morales’ dropped in on friends, Gail and Karl, and cousins Carol and Chris…friends and family!
Picture rolling lush green hills, dotted with fluffy sheep and frolicking lambs, stack stone fences and corner pubs, steak and kidney pie, and puddings, pints and pubs. “oh to be in England, now that spring is here (name that author).”
Daffodils line every lane and drizzle freshens each morning. Tho’ we still bundle up as it’s in the 40′s and 50′s, inside it is cozy and the aromas of Karls cooking warms the soul.
Hoping to help Gail during her (English) Mothers’ Day rush,we found we were of most help staying out of her way in the teeny flower shop. Steve was a “runner” for some deliveries but we depended on Karl to show us more of his neck of the woods.
Ciao!!!
We arrived a couple of hours ago in Pisa. It feels good to be back on Italian soil. Tomorrow we head to San Gimigiano, Thursday to Assisi and Saturday to Montalcino. Can’t wait to see everyone.
Steve
The Kallas’ and Morales’ ventured north by overnight train to St. Petersburg — a 400 miles, 8 hour excursion on a train with sleeping cars. You’re placed 4 to a berth (so we were glad to be with folk we knew) and the minimal bathroom was at the end of the coach. I would generously estimate the space as 5′ x 7′ and you folded the 4 beds down from the wall. We hysterically undressed in the dark on our bunks as we chugged along,with our 5 suitcases tucked under our lower beds and also on the floor. Steve got a lower bunk for his mid-night runs to the bathroom!
We finished the Pfizer year with a convention by the bay. We had a great view high atop the Westin in the center of everything. The weather was blustery but it did not keep us from seeing the town and having a Montalcino reunion with the Rutters: Tom, Donna, and Justine!
Once again it was the HopOn Hopoff bus for me as I was on my own this trip. I rode the whole circuit before hoping off on the second go-around. Ghiradelli, Union Square,AG Ferrari’s,Williams Sonoma all enticed me.
But it was great to pick up Ken and Donna Kalla at the airport and journey up to Napa Valley. We had a super time and the wine wasn’t bad either! Since we had driven instead of flown, we had a car to go and see so much. Great food, good company, tasty wines and beautiful changing colors.
Steve and I had a magnificent year of travel, and the locations were made that much more special by the people we saw and spent time with. To God be the glory for being a great travel agent and guide.
