Please check back - more entries!

Even though we've returned, I intend to post several more entries in this blog, including some retrospective on our long stay in Italy. Please check back if you're interested, and thanks.

Home to Bend

Sorry, it's been a little hectic.

As scheduled, we traveled home on January 2, 2005. This must have been one of the heaviest travel days of the year (OK, it was only the second day of the year, but you know what I mean). Thanks yet again to Gino, Becky and their boys Nico and Damian, and to Lisa, Nico's friend, we got everything out of our apartment and did the handoff to Liane and Mimmo, our landpersons.

We spent the last night in Italy at Gino and Becky's home, where we spent our first night. It was the end of Christmas-time, everybody was in a nice mellow mood.

Despite our best attempts we still managed to arrive rather late at the Delta counter. Thanks to Loriana Orindi we got shephered through.

The flight to Atlanta was 10+ hours - lousy movies. Susan's decision to cash in umpteen Delta miles for three business class seats was a lifesaver. The baby was calm and happy. She really is a wonderful traveler.

Customs and baggage recheck in Atlanta was crowded. Plus we had a lot of luggage - six large bags, plus two carry-ons apiece, counting MIrella.

But we stayed pretty patient. Our flight to Portland was delayed. We slept intermittently on that last 4 1/2 leg.

Susan's sister Jean met us in Portland. Four of our six bags did not arrive. We had a late night snack at Shari's, slept at an airport motel, then Jean carefully drove us to Bend over the icy Mt. Hood passes.

Home looked like home. The baby took just a few moments to reacquaint herself with the environment, and immediately started playing with some favorite toys.

Doors open out from the building, not in. Light switches are inside the room - I'm not sure Italy doesn't have a point on that one. All U.S. telephones feel enormous in the hand. Bend is very quiet. We're adjusting.