A pause for Palm Trees and High Tech

In the midst of planning my trip to Italy/Israel/Jordan....I've had to pause this week to get ready for another trip in August. My hub's niece is getting married in August and his siblings have decided to have their reunion in Hawaii at the same time.  Hawaii has not been on my radar.  Getting ready for this international trip has been so time consuming....I've not even thought about palm trees......but a little voice kept nagging at me....telling me I better at least scout our air fares.


So I started hunting for tickets to the Big Island of Hawaii and almost fainted.  

A frequent user of airline miles, I was out of my miles because of my upcoming trip and had to look at regular ol' airfares.  OUCH OUCH OUCH....no matter what combo I tried....what discount site....what airline I checked...the air fares to Hawaii floored me.  I was so shaken up by how much 2 round trip tickets would cost....I let it slide for a day or two ....hoping perhaps it was a bad dream.  But last night I sat down at the computer and no matter what clever trick I tried....the tickets were still expensive.  Out of miles...out of discounts.  So I swallowed hard and booked two flights plus a hotel room for a few days before the family reunion starts...I figure if I'm traveling 4000 miles....I'm going to squeeze as much out of the trip as I can.  I've never been to the Big Island...so I'm glad we're heading off to someplace new...as I've been to Oahu, Kauai, and Maui....a long time ago when I used to live in Seattle.  It didn't seem to be a long trip back then....but now, living in the South....we are talking at least 12-13 hours....which is like traveling to Europe.

So in June I'm heading 4000 miles east and in August I'm flying 4000 miles west....that is a lot o'miles....especially for someone who doesn't even like flying.

I've spent the last few days....trying to figure out electronics.  Damn...to keep in touch with folks is complicated.  

When I went to Italy when I was 18 years old.....I was there for 3 weeks and sent my parents a postcard or two.  No news was good news....I knew we could make a phone call if necessary but at that time...a zillion years ago....making an international call was very BIG and important sounding plus very expensive.  So my parents would be called only if something VERY BAD happened.  Of course today.....I'm trying to figure out how my new IPad and camera will work together....if I can blog....if I can send pictures....how will we text the kids...how will my hub keep in touch with the office....and of course, trying to figure out if I can use my IPhone without emptying my bank account because of roaming charges.

Before you could disappear....now you cannot.  My hub is head of a department so they have to be able to contact him...and I'm leaving two boys at home...so trust me I have to be able to check on them and answer questions.  So far I can't seem to be able to upload photos from my camera to blogger on my IPhone....but I can send them.  Texting is free with most of my family since we are all have apple devices except for one son. I'm looking at renting a phone ...but it made my head hurt....and especially in Italy I don't want to walk around with my Ipad.  I've heard so many stories about theft...I'll just keep it locked up in the safe.  I'm a little surprised it's not easier....and cheaper.  I'm certainly not the only person who has traveled outside of the U.S. and I'm almost miffed that "they" (the world's communication companies) haven't made this effortless.  Our toys raise our expectations.

So I'm going to do a bit more research and see if I can get a picture in blogger from my camera to my blog from across the sea.  It would be fun to post pics in almost real time.....wish me luck. 

Perhaps the next thing Apple should work on is....ITravel....a system which lets you easily communicate between texts and phone for the folks back home.   

Wow...should I trademark that....because it's brilliant....LOL>

Getting Ready for Italy.....

I am an organized person.  So planning for my upcoming trip.....it's first things first....which means getting ready for Italy.  


After reading various blogs and tourist sites....I got anxious.  Every article/writing/entry talks about thieves and pickpockets..and not just ordinary pickpockets but clever pickpockets ones.  People who might squirt water or ketchup on you...to distract you... then grab money belts...neck purses etc etc.  

One of the few deterrents...is to keep your valuables close...very close.....which means your undies.  So I ordered pocketed, zippered undies. They're ladies' boy shorts with zippers.  Big enough for a passport/credit card/ $$.  

I have to believe it will be hard to snatch my valuables....because literally ......you'd have to stick your hand down my pants (in front of me...so I would notice!) and then unzip my pockets and then run away without me smacking you on the head. I tried them on...they're comfortable....and if it means less worrying about valuables...then I'm glad to wear my secure undergarments.  


Trouble is....I have a new camera.....and there's no way I can stuff it down my panties without looking bizarre. So I'll have to ponder security for the camera.... a bit more.


Another thing I organized last night is my "Vatican package." 

I discovered after my father died...that my great uncle....studied in the diplomatic school of the Vatican in the 1920's.  I wrote them a letter a couple months ago asking if they could provide me some information about him.  They never answered.  

I'm not giving up though....I'm planning to visit them in person while in Rome...and bring my documents including copies of letters he sent to my grandfather.  Just as I was organizing my papers, I remembered my dad had a photo album which had two priest pictures.  I never knew who they were.

I pulled out the album and studied them...then a thought!!!  maybe someone wrote on the back of the photos.....yippeeeeee  someone wrote the name and date on one photo.

I was so excited...I finally figured out who they were...and here he is....Father Paul.

 

I studied the picture for a long time.  


There's something compelling about him....his sternness?...his confidence?....the shadows on his face?  

When I scanned the print this morning....I found myself drawn into his gaze....his ruggedness. There something warrior-ish about the pic....he looks ready for a fight...or maybe he looks determined.  

It's my understanding he went to Montreal and helped establish a private Catholic secondary school.  But I don't know what role he had...or how long he was there.  The last letter my grandfather sent to him returned unopened in 1941.  He would be 50?  51? Was there a rift between the brothers?  Was it the war?  Did he return to Lithuania?

If the Vatican won't help....perhaps I can write to the Canadian school.  I know someone who speaks French....perfectly.  Maybe he could call the school for me....and find out if there is any hope they might help me...and if it means a visit...well....it's been a long time since I traveled through that part of Canada. 

It's here!

Finally....my daughter's wedding book which I created is here.....She got her book last Friday....mine came just today.

Oh...I hope it looks as good as it did on my computer screen.

Yipeeee!