The weather's nice today... you just need to get above the clouds..

Imagine driving along a twisty, turny country road that snakes up and down a mountain... in the Italian countryside. Well, that's what I did with my Christmas vacation. Oh, and I got blessed by the Pope (aka the big man) himself in St. Peter's Square. that was pretty cool too.

What I just put describes only a snippet of the interesting experiences I have had so far in my travels. I have got to say that they've all been worth it - every single one. perhaps the only part that has been better (or rather made everything that much more memorable) has been the people...

The people add the spice and flavour to an already amazing and tantalizing foreign recipe. From the old man grumbling about having to move his car, to the Belgian woman laughing about how stupid her countrymen are, to the french physiootherapist willing to take me in after only a 5 min conversation, to the British barkeep who settled down in Perguia, central Italy (of all places) after having served in the army for 9 years and qualified to become an engineer.... seeing things + taling to people = solid experience. I think you would agree that this formula is so simple yet so true.

One thing you should think much about when traveling, Ive decided, should you stay in hostels or with people who actually live there? There are ups and downs to both - I think its one of those things everyone should figure out for themselves... Ill give you more lessons and questions to ponder for your own travels as I think of them. Until then, read a book about the place you want to visit. That was traveling tip #1 I never followed, haha.

Since arriving back in Orte from Brussels (and reuniting with Britt), we spent Christmas eve and day in the city (pics to come shortly!) afterwhich we did some intra-Umbria daytripping. We saw terni, perugia and orvieto. All very interesting, authentic places. Very rustic and Italian... you would never believe where and how people park their cars! Moreover, you;d be very surprised at the confluence between old and new, traditional and modern. If you're from somewhere like Canada, very quickly you realize how young, brash, frivolous and vain we NAers can be... why not just slow down and walk around once in a while? Maybe because we don't have hundreds, sometimes thousands of years of old ruins to pass by on a daily basis.... but my thoughts wander.

Britt and I are nearing the end of our time in Orte. the family whose place we are staying at will be returning on the 2/3. With their return, we will depart. To where? We'll let you know that as soon as we do...:)

Toodles,

Steve (and Britt)