Pictures... Finally!

Sorry it took me so long to post any pics, but here are a select few that I thought were special.

There's No Place Like Home

I think Dorothy was right. As much fun as I had and as amazing as the trip was, I was so happy to be home. I missed talking to everyone when I wanted to.

We had some amazing experiences along with some scary and frustrating ones as well. We got through it all very well, although I think God had a lot to do with it.

So, I'm home now and trying to recover from my jet lag. I have never been so exhausted in my life. I keep waking up at 5:00 a.m. My body and mind are weary, but I just can't fall back asleep. At least I won't have trouble getting up for work tomorrow... it will just be getting through work and then school until 10:00 p.m. that will be the problem. I'm sure it will be fine.

Thank you to all that were interested in our trip. Thanks for the care and concern and most of all, the prayers. We needed them and certainly appreciated them.

It was my intention to post some pictures with this, but I can't seem to find where I put them in my computer. So, check back in a couple of days and hopefully I'll have some for you.

Love to all.

A Hello from Paris!

I just received a phone call at work from Marlana in Paris! She and Ashley are doing well. They had just finished at a Museum and both of them needed to make some calls. It seems as if both of them are feeling well, although one of the first questions Marlana asked me is if she can stop by the chiropractor office on her way home tomorrow! lol They haven't had internet access where they are and are too busy packing in what they can in to find it...so that's why we haven't seen any postings. I am sure there will be plenty over the weekend so be sure to check it out! She sounds really excited to come home. Says she loves it there but it's time to come home and see her family. I miss my sister and I miss being able to just call her when I want to to chat or bitch about what I want. I guess it's true what they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder. I can't wait to see you Marlana!

Amanda

Leaving on a Jet Plane...Back to Paris!

Afternoon All!

Donna, Ashley's mom, heard from her as they were leaving Venice. Ashley is feeling great and the pain in Marlana's feet has let up some, so they ought to be able to "do" Paris again easily.
They are leaving Teviso, Venice about 2:00pm our time, 9:00pm Italy time and will be landing at the Beauvaise Airport, north east of Paris, France at around 4:30pm our time and 10:30pm French time.
I know for sure they are planning on touring the Monet Gardens. Niiiiiice. And I hope with Ashley up and about they will go back to the Louve. It would be a shame not to actually go in it! They also said something about the Normandy Beach.
Whatever they are doing I am sure they will make the most of the remaining days left. Marlana is due to get on a plane back to Chicago early Friday morning, so they have two full days in Paris.

Take Care and Will Continue to Keep You Informed! V

Very Venice Visit

Well it sounds like the Roma experience was a big hit! Marlana called yesterday at 2:00pm our time, to be able to talk on Easter, with a "Ciao Bella!" greeting. She sounded good and tired and happy to be there but is nearing that "I am looking forward to being home curled up with my comforter and Tbo" stage. She said is has learned a lot about traveling and is looking forward to more in the future. She was calling while waiting for a train to their next leg of travel to Venice. That train got into Venice at 6:00am. They will be staying in Venice until they fly to Paris on Tuesday evening. They did find a more suitable hostel in Venice, so that is a relief. It doesn't look like we will be getting pictures while she is gone. Marlana said she would post some here with explanations when she gets back so be sure to check it next week. Thanks for checking in. Have a good week! V

Ciao From Ashley!

Ashley had this in comments. She forgot how to do a posting. Probably cause she did it the first time through a sick, medicated haze. lol So I thought I'd put it out here so more could see it.

I forgot how to post on the blog. :(

Rome is fabulous, beyond words even.

I am healthy and back on my feet so switch the prayer list to hoping Marlana can stay on hers. Thanks for all the thoughts-prayers and well-wishes. they help!

Happy Easter, you all!

love, @sh

When in Rome...

do as the Romans do! Well, that is if the Romans visit all the tourist sites and eat as much pizza and pasta as they can fit in their stomachs! If that is what they do, then we are doing a good job. Today we saw the Colosium, the Roman Forum, and St. Peters Basillica. The entrance to Vatican City was right where we were but they would not let us in. Do not really know why at this point. You have heard of "the masses"... well, today we saw them. I have some cool pics of all the people in St. Peters square waiting to get into the Basillica. We waited in line for 2 hours. It was totally worth it. The Basillica is by far the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I think it hit me especially because I was not expecting it to be so gorgeous... especially after already having seen Notre Dame. This place beats Notre Dame hands down. We walked in and my throat closed up and my eyes started watering. I am not kidding! It is that beautiful.

We could not get into the Sisteen Chapel because it closed early today and good luck getting in tormorrow. That is okay. We saw a lot today that was incredible so we were pretty happy with that. Tomorrow we are going to check out a famous Roman fountain, try to find the place where Audrey Hepburn stuck her hand in the stone mouth, and... I can not remember what else but I know there is something.

I am in some pain. My feet and especially my ankles are killing me. I am not even talking about mild pain so pray for some relief. The swimming pool and jacuzzi they have here is not open until May. I was so disappointed, especially with my feet feeling the way they do.

We are having a good time and looking forward to a good night's rest. We are checking out of here tomorrow morning and then we are taking an overnight train to Venice. So I will not be posting tomorrow at all. So....

HAPPY EASTER TO YOU ALL. I miss you and I hope you have a wonderful holiday. As for me, I will be having a wonderful "Roman Holiday."

Roma

So we are in Rome and things are looking up. Ashley is finally feeling better... poor girl. So we got to Rome and the weather here is beautiful! Our hostel is great. It is a camping hostel but we have our own little bungalow and it has our very own bathroom and shower! Whoo hoo! By the way family... I think I might be up for the camping after this whole thing. It would be even better if you could promise me one of these bungalows! This place is the PLAZA compared to what we have seen so far. It has not all been bad but this is great compared to all the others. We are off to explore the city tomorrow. We are both excited and nervous to see what Rome is going to be like on Easter weekend. I am sure we will have stories to tell. That is all the time I have for now. The internet here is expensive. Love you all and miss you. Kisses!

Praha

Well, Prague is cold. It is interesting, but cold. The buildings and decor are amazing. Main square had millions of little keosks with items and food, etc. They had a band in the square. It was a xzlophone band, I think. Mazbe marimbas. Anyway, I thought it was very cool and festive. I am thinking of all of you at different places. Some scarves and glasses make me think of mom. All the coat of arms all over make me think of Debbie. I think of Amanda when I see people in ridiculous clothing that I know only a comment from her would do justice. Mostly today I have been thinking of dad. A lot of the stuff here he would like. Especially when the band today started playing IN THE MOOD. I smiled and thought a lot about dad. But dad would like äll the knights and swords and stuff too. Im thinking of him a lot. He would like this place. Oh, another dad thing... and dad I hope you read this and smile. My shoes keep coming untied. I wish you were here to tie them for me. HA HA.

We are not sure if the next hostel has internet, so we will write as soon as we can. Love you all.

We are here... finally

Let me first say that this may seem a little jumbled. This keyboard is different and there is a z instead of a y among other things so if you see that, just ignore it and know what I meant to say.

What a long, long, long two days. We have been travelling for two days. Yes there was the plane, then the train, then the train again, but dont forget all the busses, taxis and metros inbetween to help get us where we are supposed to go. Thank the good Lord in heaven, we are here.

I havent had a shower since I left Chicago. Nice, huh. Thats next on my agenda. Ashley is not doing too well. Im not sure whats wrong with her. She hasnt been feeling good in general and she got sick on the plane on the way to prague today. Shes upstairs sleeping. We are going to play it low key tonight. My laundary is washing and i am probably going to take a shower and go to bed. Maybe my head will stop itching. There are reasons I havent showerd but I dont have too much time to go into that now.

By the way, the hostel we stayed at last night was less than desirable. We were even a little scared. We are fine and we are not going back there. For those of you who have the itinerary, we did not staÿ at Santa Croche last night. We switched to Fusina because it was closer to where our trained left very early in the morning. We are going to cancel the other nights in Fusina if we can find something else. And yes, Ashley and I both realize that we should have let someone know we had changed plans. That was very naive and stupid. It wont happen again, I promise. We will inform you all of any changes from now on.

So, Im looking forward to the rest of my trip. It doesnt involve so much travel so maybe we can actually enjoy things. I hope that Italy is better than when we just passed through. They say the french are rude. HA. I think the italians have a leg up on that one. I loved the french people and only experienced two times that people were rude to me.

I miss Paris. I can get around there easily now. Once youve ridden the metro a couple times, you can get anywhere. It is so easy there. I have had two days of not knowing where to go next and not speaking a bit of Italian or Checz. I know it will get better.

All things considered, I¨m having a great time and am stayïng very positive. I have a different outlook here, even though Ive been in situations that are difficult. You guys wöuld be proud.

I better go now. Keep praying for Ashlez. Love you all. Kisses and hugs.

Marlana

On the Way to Prague!

Today, April 12^th, the girls are waking up from a night in Venice and taking a train to the Roma’s Fiumicino Airport where they the fly to Prague. They should be in Prague early enough to enjoy the late afternoon and evening. They will be there until Friday morning. Prague was greatly encouraged by many people. It’s known to be a beautiful old city. One of the few untouched by WWII. It is also a young people’s city. Hopefully they will have internet access and time to let us know. Have no update on Ashley. We figure no news is good news! Thanks for checking in. V

Over Night in Venice

According to the itinerary Ashley and Marlana leave Paris, Tuesday, the 11^th at 6:45pm from the Tille Airport in Beauvias, which is east of Paris. The plan is to arrive outside of Venice where they will stay overnight and them board a train for Rome Wednesday morning then a plane to Prague. They are due to arrive there at 5:00 in the afternoon. They will be in Prague until noon on Friday the 14^th. Then back to Rome for the weekend. Venice will be visited on the way back to Paris. Keep commenting. I know they really enjoy you all being a part of this in this way. They will get better internet time in some of these hostils to be able to send pictures. thanks V

La Tour Eiffel

Wow... it's been an incredible two days. I don't know where to start. Yes, I did see the Eiffel Tower the first day I was here. It was everything I thought it would be and more. I love it here. It's so European. We went shopping today and I met this really cute frechman who whispered things to me in french. No, I didn't understand, but what difference does that make? That was fun... Ashley got a picture of us together and when I left, he kissed me (european style.)

Today Ashely wasn't feeling well so I took off on my own. I saw the Arc De Triumph. Amazing. You don't really know all that it is unless you see it up close. It was beautiful. Then I sat at the Arc for about and hour and watched people. I love Paris... did I mention that already. From there I took a walk down the Champs Elysees. There were incredile stores that I only dream of having the money to buy things in.

After that I saw the Louve. No, I did not go in. It's a couple miles long... bigger than I ever thought so I didn't go in. I still saw it and sat in front of it for a while.

Next I took a long, long walk to Notre Dame. That place takes my breath away. Even thinking about it now, I'm still in awe. I went in and saw the cathedral. It's absolutely breathtaking. Then I climbed the 487 steps it takes to get to the top and the belltower. Yes, my feet hurt. My legs were vibrating by the time I got to the bottom again. I'm glad I didn't know how high I would have to climb or I might not have done it. It was totally worth it by the way.

Last on today's agenda, Ashley met me at the Eiffel Tower and we went to the top at dusk. When we were going up, the sun was setting over the city and it was gorgeous. We stayed for a while and got to see the city all lit up from the top of the Tower. I'll never forget that as long as I live.

So, tomorrow, we're on to Prague. I'm sure it will be great, but it won't beat Paris. Did I mention I love it here?

Thinking of all of you and love you so much you'll never know. (bought souveniers today :)

Take Off!

After a very exciting morning and afternoon, Marlana flew out of O'Hare Airport on United Airlines on April 8th at 6:03 p.m. and landed in Paris, France on April 9th at 9:25 am, Paris time. She took a train from Charles deGaulle airport to the hostel they are staying at on the Rue de la Fontaine au Roi. (Doesn't that sound so cool? lol - $25.00 a night in Paris for it sounds even cooler!)
She will meet up with Ashley, who also arrived safely from her bus trip from northern Spain. (For those who don't know...Ashley is the daughter of my friend, Donna who I have known since high school. She is in her third year at U of IL and is doing a semester of foreign studies in northern Spain.)
It is 50 there and cloudy but not raining!
I am sure they have had a Fabulous day!
They will be in Paris until they leave for Venice Tuesday night.

More to come. Aur Revoir, V

Welcome to Your Blog Girls

This is your blog we have set up for your vacation in Europe. I will send it out to those who may care and they can track your progress and comment on how jealous they are that you are having such a great time! Enjoy Enjoy and lie us know how as much about it as is convient.

Love Ya! Mom