We had a 12 hour stay in Holland, landing in Amsterdam. Karen's friend Anneke met us at the airport. We took the train from the airport into Purmerend and we continued to drink coffee and eat as we wandered through this beautiful small Dutch town full of lush green growth and charming buildings.   Karen's cousins Atie and Jan picked us up and drove us to Monnickendam where we saw Karen's uncle Cor at his beautiful farm (now surrounded by the town). We then met with another cousin Lida for a great visit and continued to eat.

Meeting Anneke and Karen's family was so much fun! I didn't have a clue what they were saying most of the time because it was all in Dutch, but they spoke, then laughed, then said something else, then hugged each other, then laughed, then ate some herring and onions and laughed some more!. They were animated and full of joy. More cousins arrived, Andre, Netty and Karen's Aunt Tinie. They put together an incredible spread for lunch. Karen said some sort of blessing in Dutch for lunch that made them all laugh some more!

What an incredible trip so far and we just landed in Cannetto on Lipari island this afternoon! Right now, 9:30 pm Italian time, we are sitting on a beach listening to the waves, while drinking Sicilian Red Wine! (The expensive stuff 8 euros!)

Neither Karen nor I really slept on the flight from Toronto to Amsterdam. We caught a few winks of rest here and there but for the most part we had been awake since early Friday morning. I crashed for an hour at her cousin's while Karen continued to be her charming, witty, self for the entire day! We arrived at Catania airport in Sicily, at 10:10 pm, picked up our bags we walked right out into the arrival area. There was no one at Customs to ask us anything or stamp our passports! We have no proof that we actually entered the country and are not sure if they will let us out as easily!

Last night we stayed in Catania at the B & B, in the theme room "Volcano", which took us completely by surprise! (see photo) there was red everywhere, flowing streams of blazing red lined the ceiling and tacky red side lamps cast lava like shadows on the walls. But the best part was that from our balcony we actually saw Mt. Etna spewing bursts of red lava into the air (eat your heart out Britt!!!)

Today we took two trains and a ferry and made it to Lipari. We can't believe the beauty of Lipari Island. We both know once again, that the pictures don't capture the beauty of this country and that no one will believe us anyhow!

Our bungalow in the campground is indescribably adorable! (So I won't describe it here!)

I only said one stupid thing today that I can remember.
Photos will be posted shortly....

I packed one blue shirt with white coil along the edges and the sleeves.  I don't know if it is a Pyjama top or a real shirt. I slipped it on today to see if it meets the travel standards and it immediately made me think of my bowling shirt that I had in grade 5! Perhaps I will stop at all the bowling alleys in Florence? Do Italians bowl? Do they say things like "Awww yer momma can't even hit the headpin!" Maybe I will slide down all the back alleys in Gubbio in my spare time and strike up a conversation with the locals, as long as I don’t go over the foul line!

Today the knapsack weighed in at 30 pounds. Too heavy... I immediately started removing clothes and devices.  I am theme packing - colour themes: blue, white, black...with a little green thrown in on the side... For three months I'm travelling with two pair of capris, two blouses, one aforementioned bowling shirt, two t-like shirts, sleeping shorts, swimming shorts and also a swimming top (only required at certain beaches), one bra (required all the time), one pair of socks, five real underwear and 5 throw away paper underwear. Yes, paper underwear!  I bought them on eBay.  They are pink and I think I can get two of myself into each pair! If I pull them high enough I might not even need to wear a shirt! As I just now took the picture of the  “Convenient hygienic Snugly comfort Ldeal for travel” package, for posting on this site, I noticed 2006 11 10.  I wonder if this is an expiry date?  Maybe I don’t actually have to take the pants off once they are worn, maybe they just disintegrate as a gust of wind catches them while I stand high on a cliff overlooking the Ligurian sea! Fortunately the paper underwear is feather-weight and not adding to the weight of the knapsack.  It is the other paper in the knapsack that is adding the weight, printouts for accommodation, car rental contracts etc. As the trip progresses the bag will lighten as the paper disappears (underwear included). 

I stopped to see Georgie, my favourite hairdresser today. She said “How long are you gone?” Three months.  I came home with a three-month haircut!  It was looking a little bit like Bart Simpson at first, but today it is kind of fru fru and will be just fine in the Italian heat. 

The itinerary is all firmed up and we are all good to go!  Karen and I leave on Friday the 13th.  Keith arrives on the 27th.  I have one more week at home!