Merry Christmas!

The itinerary went to the travel agencies a few weeks ago. Now its an anxious wait for the bids to come in. Hopefully they are reasonable and won't require much negotiation. Then its time to start notifiing and recruiting a new crew of travelers. Yay!

Planning

Wow, It's hard to believe we've been home 3 months. I miss the travelers from the 2010 tour a lot but am excited to see all the great things they're doing. The college kids have all made the transition successfully, the high school kids are having a great time and congrats to the boys that have received their mission calls!

The big news is that Katie & I have started planning the itinerary for the 2012 trip. We're trying to shake things up a bit. The thoughts - hit a bit of eastern Europe and maybe stay out of the UK because of Olympics craziness. The plan will be ready by the end of November and sent to travel companies for bids. Stay tuned!

HOME!

It was a bit of a crazy flight. The Atlanta airport was closed for a while due to a severe weather. As anxious as we were to get home I'm glad they didn't fly us through the lightning. The storm finally calmed enough for us to land & we made our connection to SLC. That flight was held at the gate in Atlanta because the pilot for our plane was stuck on his flight in due to the same weather problems. We finally took off & were only 45 minutes late landing in SLC. Great to be home! Now all we need is Will B back from Norway & all will be home safe & sound.

Halfway Home...

We slept in a bit today then packed up the car and started to make our way back to London. The half-way point is Leeds so that's where we'll sleep tonight. The drive was again spectacular. For a family from the desert everything is so green. Everyone here is talking heat wave in southern UK - it's 75 degrees and hasn't been this 'dry' during the spring/summer for the past 30 years or so. For us it rained all the way from Edinburgh. The rain is weird however, it is really just a good mist rather than the raindrops we're used to. I love it here. On the drive we even found my house. I'm no longer remodeling but packing up the clan & moving to an estate in Coulter. It's only about 20 minutes outside of Edinburgh. Everyone is welcome to visit!

Duh! Edinburgh Day 2

I went to the National Gallery of Scotland today for the 5th time. You'd think by now I wouldn't be surprised by Rembrandt, VanGogh, Titan, daVinci, Monet, El Greco, Rubens, Raphel, Cezanne, etc. I always go through & say 'Duh, I forgot that was here." Great museum.

Next we went to the Edinburgh Zoo. For a small zoo it packs a lot in. The setting is spectacular and the animal exhibits let you get really close for a good look. We've been pushing hard for the last 4 weeks - I think for dinner we'll order a pizza in to the hotel!

The UK

So, I can't get past needing to blog. No one is reading anymore because you're all home but I'm blogging anyway. The boys & I dropped the group at the Delta check in and then Will at British Airways. We rented a cool Volvo station wagon and hit the road. It didn't take long to adjust to the 'wrong' side of the road and not much longer until we crossed the Second Severn/Wye Bridge (spectacular) into Wales. Next day we did the laundry and toured Cardiff Castle. Not the greatest but still interesting. The following day was spent at the National Museum of Welsh Life. Great for me - my family ancestry is Welsh. We then drove to Chester. A great old town established during Roman times that reached itsheyday during the Tudor period. Next morning we backtracked just a bit and toured the town of Hawarden, hometown of the Bennion family. Then off to Edinburgh. It was a beautiful drive through 3 countries!

Home Safe!

We all made it home safe (except Wendy and her two boys who stayed an extra week). The trip was a blast! We'll have to get together for a reunion and trade pics! Thanks to all the great travelers and all of their great supporters!

What You Don't Know Won't Scare You! Day 18

So, now that the group (sans Will, Wendy, Stephen & David) are safely on the plane and flying home we thought we'd share some of the things that happened along the way the way that may have given some parents concern......

Someone(s):
clothes were held hostage by a washing machine...
became members of a British protest group...
got up close and personal with Will B's undies...
stripped on the Grand Canal...
got lost in Egypt.....
nearly lost appendages from an Italian butcher...
got trapped in an elevator...
got trapped in an elevator...
got trapped in an elevator...
got trapped in an elevator...
kissed at the top of the Eiffel Tower...
walked pantless through Switzerland...
got detained/arrested at the UK border...
pulled a Houdini in the Underground...
got hit by a car...

The kids should be home around 11:30. They're excited to come home!

Freedom! London Day 3

This was a completely free day for the travelers. Some got up & out the door by 5:30 this morning to make an excursion to Wimbledon. They all got on to the grounds and some even got into the Men's doubles final match. Other events today - Kings Cross Station 9 & 3/4 for our Harry Potter fans, Tower of London, Tate Modern Museum, Phantom of the Opera or We Will Rock You, Portobello road, Covent Gardens, Oxford Street (the last 3 are shopping havens), and packing! We spent a lot of time discussing great memories of the trip, amazed that its over and trying to figure out the best way to survive as individuals again. I have been so pleased with how well all the kids in this group have gotten along. I truly believe they will stay great friends. It has been a pleasure to spend the last 3 weeks with such amazing young people. Now, I know you think this is all over but keep checking the blog. I think we may have a few more things to say!

Wicked - London Day 2

Sorry no group photo. We have a good one from Buckingham Palace. After posting the shots from Wicked the blog suddenly started freezing me out of attaching photos. I'll try again later...

We started with a great breakfast at the hotel. People tend to complain about English food but when they do it's never about their breakfasts. We jumped on the coach and met our blue badge guide Sarah. She was an expert about London and took us all around looking at some of the amazing things in the city. She then took us into Westminster Abbey and showed us some of the amaxing history associated with all the famous honored or buried there. Next was the changing of the guard. It's crazy that the tradition has been going on so long but it would be sad if they ever eliminated it. We had an interesting chat about the future of the monarchy.

After the tour the kids were left to their own devices. They are really tired and some are getting what I'm calling a kennel cough but none opted to go back to the hotel. They are wringing every opportunity out of this trip! Some went to the Tower of London, some to the National Gallery, some to the British Museum. Katie & I shopped!

I think the highlight of the day was the Wicked performance. We made it to the theatre in good time and settled into our seats. The perfo rmance was spectacular. Excellent leads, really great supporting actors and a very talented orchestra playing gorgeous. Everyone left the theatre with huge smiles on their faces. A good production is a great PR tactic - don't be surprised to see some of the most unlikely travelers sporting Wicked t-shirts!

We'll be flying home Sunday 7/4. Here is the flight information...
Depart London Heathrow on Delta flight DL 9 @ 1:20pm
Arrive Atlanta Hartsfield JAC @ 6pm
Depart Atlanta JAC on Delta flight DL 1835 @ 9:30pm
Arrive Salt Lake SLC @ 11:35pm
The kids can't wait to be home!

Can You Speak English? London Day 1

We left the hotel bright and early and headed for the train station. After a bit of trouble at customs we got all the kids on the Eurostar and headed for the chunnel. It only took 2 1/2 hours to get to London. All the kids were so excited to be in a place where they understood everything that was being said.

We headed for Windor and the oldest castle still used as a residence. It was spectacular! It certainly shows us how powerful the monarchy has been and still is. We were impressed by the grand staircase, the gold tiger's head and the room with all the crests for the Knights of the Order of the Garter. It was amazing to see all the restoration that has been done since the fire destroyed a major section of both the state and residential wings. My favorite part is always St. George's chapel. It is such a beautiful example of the Tudor gothic style. Inside are many famous people (dead of course) including King Henry VIII!

We then had some free time before dinner, a very loooong dinner and then free time again after dinner. It was fun to walk along the Thames and see the Houses of Parliament and the clock tower all lighted. The hotel is just across the river and down a block or so. Speaking of the hotel we are ending it posh. We're in a pretty swanky place!

Last Day in Paris

We started off the morning going to Notre Dame Cathedral. Before we entered the church we stopped for a brief group photo and and explaination by Marc of how flying buttresses worked. He also talked to us about the gargoyles, symbolism and the stained-glass windows.

The church was beautiful and everyone took lots of pictures of the famous rose window. As we came out of the church, some chose to walk around the outside to look at the architecture. The kids found a playground behind Notre Dame and spent a few minutes on the preschool toys!

After Notre Dame, we headed for the Louvre. We entered a courtyard and Marc explained the assignment for the day. Everyone was to look at the picture opposite the Mona Lisa (it turned out to be "The Feast at Cana") and try and analyze what was happening. Also, they were to notice particular details that they thought were interesting for later discussion. A further assignment was to pick a picture in the Denon wing of the museum and spend time looking at it so they could explain it to the group.

The Louvre was more crowded than we had ever seen it but everyone had an enjoyable time going through at their own pace. Many commented on how much they loved seeing things like: Winged Victory, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian exhibit. After the Louvre the kids had free time. They used their metro savvy to travel to various places throughout the city.

We met for dinner together and then headed off to the Bateaux Mouche cruise. We left just as the sun was setting so everyone got great pictures of the major monuments. The cruise was a pleasant ending to our last day in Paris.

Tomorrow we are off early to London!

Seize the Chateau! Paris day 2

This morning we headed to Versailles to tour the palace and gardens. On the way Mark discussed a few key points and then assigned each traveler a role. We had King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, the nobility, the clergy, the bourgeoisies, the Parisian poor tne the peasents. When we arrived at the palace we each received an MP3 player with palace information to listen to on the tour. First we would all hear from King Louis XIV in each room, then someone that was in 'our' social class. Once we finished we had an hour of free time in the gardens. Katie and I found a new fountain that 'danced' to classical music being piped through the park. Some of the kids rode bikes and others rented boats across the pond. It was fun!

The final event of the morning was the Palace Players workshop. Eac person had to act their role - it was hysterical. You all have such clever and creative kids! By the time the event was finished - Will and Adam had taken over the monarchy and Stephen had lost his head!

We enjoyed lunch together in the town of Versailles and then headed back to the center of Paris for a few hours of free time. Some caught up kids visited the Pompidou, some the D'Orsay, and many did some souvenir shopping. We watched the view of the sun setting from the top of MontMartre. Paris really is beautiful!

How fast can you go? Paris -- Day 1

The morning started very early. We were to leave the hotel at 5:30am with a wake-up call at 4:45am, however, a couple of the rooms did not get a wake up call and therefore were awoken by pounding on thier door at 5:25am. But the kids were champs once again and made it out the door and on the bus in only 10 minutes! After an hour drive, we arrived at the train station in Basel to take the TGV (high speed train) to Paris. In a morning full of challenges, we had to load all of us and our luggage on the train in seven minutes! Of course, with our phenomenal group, we made it and took our 3 1/2 hour train ride.

We arrived in Paris and took a bus tour of the city which took us to the major sites including a great view of the Eiffel Tower (where some had their first crepe). The tour ended at the hotel where the kids now have a couple of hours to rest before dinner.

Dinner was duck - a different experience for many of the travelers. Most found it tasty but again found dessert to be the best part of the meal. We then made our way to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The views were spectacular. We hit it at just the right time and got to watch the sunset from there. Then the lights came on and the tower looked even better!

Futbol and Chocolate in Lucerne

Today we got up early and left Munich, Germany for Lucerne, Switzerland. The long bus ride was broken up with lunch spent in Lichtenstein. The kids had a great time in the little country but learned just how expensive it can be to eat in a country that is based on fianance an tourism.

After our break, we took a short bus ride to arrive in Lucerne. We had a short walking tour through the city and then the kids had free time. Annie and George met up with their uncle who lives in Lucerne and the rest of the kids shopped (for chocolate) and looked around. Lucerne is mostly a beautiful and peaceful place...however today was special. Today was the soccer game -- Germany v. England. As Germany crushed England, we could hear every goal (and attempted goal) throughout the city. It was an awesome environment in which to watch the game. The streets of Lucerne were full of celebrators all evening!

We are all headed to bed (hopefully at a reasonable time -- although the Mexico v. Argentina game is on). Tomorrow we leave REALLY early to catch the train to Paris!

Remembering the Past - Munich Day 2

We spent the morning visiting Dachau - the first Nazi concentration camp. The site is an awful reminder of the atrocities that took place just a generation ago. The kids were very attentive, interested and moved. Adam made the comment, "It's weird, reverent and sad at the same time." We entered through the same gate as thousands of prisoners before reading the promise "Work will make you free."

Then we saw the horrible living conditions. By the end of the war two thousand were living in quarters designed for 200.

Finally the gas chamber and creamatorium. Near the end there was no more fuel so the Nazi's resorted to execution by firing squad and burials in mass graves. If is impossible not to be touched when you see the wall with pock marks from bullets or the large body sized ovens. Hopefully the travelers take to heart the quote left by one of the survivors, "Never again."

In the afternoon we took a guided tour of the city culminating at BMW world. This is the place you can design a made to order car. It was a favorite. Then we had free time in the city before a traditional Bavarian dinner. Now we are all anxiously watching the USA vs. Ghana soccer game. GO USA!

When the Gods Conspire - Munich Day 1

Things looked really good as we started out this morning. The kids had to get up super early to catch the vaparetto that would take us to the Roma stop where our bus was waiting to take us to Munich. The suitcases had to be shuttled on a special transport to meet us there. We arrived on time but the transport got caught in a traffic jam on the Grand Canal. We lost about 30 minutes waiting for that to get cleared up.

Our director Mark suggested that we skip our regularly scheduled break and go to a town called Villbach. Great place for lunch and by skipping the pit stop we could spend an entire hour eating & exploring the town. We all said 'Let's do it!" We had to stop at the Italy/Austria border to pay some kind of fee and our new driver, Claudio, went in to take care of that then we were on our way. About 5-10 minutes down the road Claudio asks Mark "Where's my mobile phone?" Mark didn't have it. We didn't have it. Bad news..... We go to the town and we're running a bit late because of construction. We enjoyed Villbach but all meet at the designated spot right on time. No Claudio... no Claudio... no Claudio. Half an hour late he pulls in. He had gone back to the check point for his phone then on the way back was stopped by police that were checking to make sure he had paid the fee. Another 1/2 hour late.

Next was the salt mines. The kids loved it! We rode a train into the mine then walked and slid down to lower levels and learned a lot about the process. Then we crossed an underground brine lake that was playing music and a light show as we went. So cool! Up a funicular and back on the train to the outside. The tour took another 1/2 hour longer than planned and we had a reservation for the Hofbrauhaus tonight!

The final straw was finding the hotel. Mark is German, Claudio Italian. Mark pulls out his map of Munich and begins to instruct Claudio on how to get to the hotel. It is very different than what Claudio's GPS is telling him. He is very patient and follows Mark's instructions. First comes the bridge that is too low for our big bus to fit under. Then comes the construction traffic jam. Then more instructions that conflict with the GPS. Another 1/2 late. That is 2 hours total & Germans are famous for their rigid punctuality.

We check in fast, throw our bags in our rooms and run to the Metro. The train is just pulling in as we approach. Everybody gets on. (You have no idea how tricky that actually is with a group of 26!) Two stops later off & power walk to the Hofbrau. The check in is closed but Mark finds someone and gets us in even though we missed our reservation. The kids love the all you can eat buffet. William A. described it as Chuck-A-Rama meets Munich. SO GOOD! There was Bavarian music and dancing while we ate. After a leisurely walk back to the hotel all the kids are tucked in safe and sound.

Sorry no picture again. I'll try to edit & post tomorrow so be sure to re-check the last two blogs.

Glass Doesn't Break

We went to the island of Murano and watched a glass blowing demonstration. I've been to one before but this was impressive! We watched a glass master, Georgio, make first a vase and then a horse. Then we all went into the shop and spent obscene amount of money but everything we bought was pretty! Then we went to a museum of glass. It showed the progress of glass making over the centuries. Some interesting things we learned today.... 1) Glass making was moved to the island of Murano because of the extreme fear of fire. Most structures were made of wood and the leaders of Venice were afraid a wayward spark from a glass furnace would destroy the entire city. 2) As the new & improved techniques for glass making were invented (900 years ago) the Venetians were very possessive of these secrets. Once someone went to Murano and learned to become a glass maker they could never leave the island again. It has been described in literature as the most beautiful prison on earth.

Some of the group also went to a lace making explaination. Some went to find art they were interested in or churches they had heard of. Everyone went exploring and got lost. We were given an assignment to find a great 'post card' photo and to take a picture of a beautiful window. It was an interesting project and the kids came up with the most interesting things!

Florence to Venice

Since we were not able to post pictures yeaterday, here are a couple from Florence. The first is from the Piazza Michelangelo at sunset and the second is from the stairs off the Piazza Navona.

We left Florence early this morning to travel to Venice. The bus trip was about four hours long but the kids were entertained by Mark (our tour guide)'s game about the art they had seen. It was definitely a thinking person's game, since they were given six images of painitings and were asked to put them in chronological order. They worked in groups and used the information they have learned, including: the transition for two-dimensional art to three-dimenstional art, the use of light, color, landscape, realism and background. They did an excellent job! They are definitely learning a lot!

After arriving at the port, our fabulous driver (Angelo) drove the bus onto the ferry. Some of the kids were nervous about the concept of being on a bus on a ferry but their nervousness soon faded at the sight of the beautiful buildings of Venice. We quickly dropped our bags at the hotel and took the vaperetto (water bus) to the Piazza San Marco. Everyone had a couple of hours of free time to venture out for a little lunch.

We met back at the Lion Column in San Marco Piazza and met our guide for the city walk. A native Venetian, Fiona, took us through San Marco's cathedral and the Doge's Palace. She was a great storyteller and was fabulous at answering questions!

At the conclusiuon of the tour, we took the vaparetto back to the Lido (where our hotel is) and went to dinner. The evening ended with more free time to explore the Lido, watch the Germany v. Ghana soccer game or eat gelato!

Where are the children? Florence Day 2

There isn't internet service at the hotel so I'm blogging at an internet cafè today. Unfortunately that means no pictures today. I'll try to post extra tomorrow. We had the ususal for breakfast - rolls, jam, cheese & meats, yogurt, cereal (cornflakes) with warm milk. There was also some great extras - a machine that made all kinds of hot drinks (the kids learned hot chocolate is not the same everywhere) and watermelon. It was great.

We headed to the Accademia and saw Michelangelo's David. It is again amazing how spectacular the art is up close and personal. There were several other amazing pieces in the museum. Then we gave the kids the rest of the day as 'free' time. All the kids opted to go to the Uffizi. This houses important works such as Bottecelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera, De Vinci's Madonna of the Stairs and pieces by Titian and Tintoretto to name a few. I was so amazed that every single kid chose to go. This is such a great group - making the most of this opportunity.

Katie & I did our own thing (Santa Croce, laundry, the real market...) but ran into kids from time to time. Some climbed to the top of the Dome, some walked along the river, some found other museums and all shopped at the vendor's markets. They seemed to be getting a lot of souvenir shopping done. Be prepared for some great gifts but you may want to check their bank accounts. No seriously, we watched them learn the fine art of bartering.

We are meeting for dinner in a few minutes then we are heading up to the Piazelle Michelangelo. This is a hill at the edge of the old city with a copy of the statue of David. It has great views of the Arno river and overlooks the town. Its spectacular!

Florence Day 1

This morning we left Rome early and headed off to Florence via San Gimignano. It rained most of the bus ride but when we arrived at the Tuscan Farm for our lunch the rain had stopped. We spent about a half hour on the Tunscan countryside touring the farm and vineyards. We were all particularly fascinated with the bottling machine used in the winery. After the tour, we headed up to the farm house where we ate a delicious lunch and enjoyed a picturesque view.

After a short bus ride, we arrived at our hotel in Florence. We immediately walked to the city center for a walking tour. The kids are great! They have good attitudes and are open to learning about other cultures. After the tour, the kids had free time for the evening.

It's A Water Park! - Rome Day 3

The day started fairly nice - cool and cloudy. It's a good thing (usually) when you're planning on visiting the colosseum and forum. We had a great tour of the colosseum & learned lots about the original sporting events, gladiators & the citizens of ancient Rome. Then we headed over to the forum and began to learn about the day to day life of the common people and the interesting temples that lie in ruins there. About 1/3 of the way through the skies opened and we were drenched. We hid out under the trees the best we could but it was definitely a mediterranean storm! The kids have been sent off to explore the last few things they want to see in Rome on their own. I'll update after dinner some of the great things they did today! Before I get to what the kids were up to, I forgot to mention we saw the mayor of Rome today. There was some historical auto club that was receiving honors and we walked right through it (twice!) If you watched the news here it may have been possible to see us coming down the stairs behind the presentation!

Now for the rest of today. Luke and Richard went to lunch with some Mirabelli family friends. A group found a market near the Vatican and spent the afternoon bartering & souvenir shopping. Another group walked up to a great park in the south west of Rome that Katie and I had never heard of before. It was quite a hike but they had a fabulous time. Another went to Maria del Vittoria and saw the St. Therese in Ecstacy or tried to anyway. Some made great advantage of the street artists. They were all back to the meeting point on time with no difficulties. You should all be so proud of how well they are all doing on the trip!

We had a yummy lasagne dinner and then spent the evening at Piazza Navona eating gelati and watching the street vendors. There was a fun group of break dancers there too. Off to Florence in the morning. Good night!

Stairs - Rome Day 2

Taking into consideration all we have seen it's hard to believe we've only been touring for 2 days. This morning we went to the Vatican museum. Our guide took us a 'different' way than I'm used to and we saw lots of great things. Katie & I both learned things today such as the reason much of the statuary is important is because it was used as models for the figures in the paintings in the Sistine Chapel. The chapel is always one of the highlights of the day. You can see it in books, on slides, or in movies but nothing does it the justice of seeing it in person.

After the museum we went to St. Peter's cathedral & took a quick look about. They were set up for something big so we couldn't see all of the basilica but we still had a great visit. Next we went up to the top of the dome. Us wimps of the group took an elevator to the roof and then walked the remaining 320 stairs (Matt counted 369) The brave ones started at ground level and added another 200 to that count.

After that we took our first trip as a group on the Metro. They were great! We ended up at the Spanish Steps - add another 168 to the last total. The kids then had free time for a few hours. Some went to museums, some to other famous sites, some just shopped. We then stopped at St. Peitro Vincoli. This is famous for Michaelangelo's Moses and because the chains that bound Peter as he was brought to Rome are there. Our last stop of the night was the Trevi Fountain. The kids all threw in a coin meaning they all wish to return to Rome!

This last photo is the view around the corner from our hotel. Spectacular!

Rome - Day 1

We made it - YEA! One thing you never want to hear your airline pilot say regarding the turbulance you're experiencing, "there are planes above us having trouble staying in the air." Seriously, did we need to know that? The ride to NYC was a bit bumpy but worked itself out. Then we get to our departure gate at JFK and are notified that the flight to Rome is heavily overbooked. We still got on. The kids have been spectacular. Great on the plane and then real troopers today as I've forced them to stay awake & adapt to EU time. They also walked about 10 miles. We went to St. Peter's piazza, Castle San Angelo, walked along the river, and stopped in the Pantheon. We also had the good luck to go past the French chapel which has some remarkable Carravagio's. Murphy's law struck & our tour director (the one that's supposed to be with us the whole trip) got in a car accident & is on bedrest for at least 1 week. We've now been assigned a new one & he should be arriving any time now. The kids are all taking a quick nap and showering before we go to dinner. Talk to you soon! Remember - double click to enlarge a picture, right click to save the image.

Time to go!!

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In just a few hours we will be at the airport and heading off on our adventure!!! A few last packing tips. Make sure the following things are in your CARRY-ON and not packed away in your checked luggage:

Passport
Money, Credit Cards, etc.
Prescription Medicine
Change of Clothes
iPod Charger (most likely you'll need it for the layover)
Watch

Can't wait to see you all, bright and early at 5:45am!!

It's All About Attitude

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It's a certainty that things can be difficult when you travel. You're tired or hungry or both. Some people you have to be with are annoying. You have expectations that don't get met. Sometimes things just go terribly wrong. At one hotel they added one more boy to the room and just tucked cots on each side of the two beds. (left) To get around they had to climb over each other. In another room the cot was in a permanently folded position. (below) Imagine sleeping shaped like an accordian. Last trip we spent a hellish night on a train from Rome to Paris. The windows wouldn't open & the AC was broken. It was like 8 hours in a sauna. I thought we would hear all kinds of complaints from the kids. Nope, they all dusted off their very best positive attitudes and found things to do and reasons to laugh. The trip is only as great as you allow it to be.

Airport

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This morning I went on a test run to the airport. It took exactly 18 minutes from the time I started the car until I turned it off in the car park. (I love living off of I-215!) The surprising thing was how many cars were on the road that time of day. There was a fair crowd at the terminal and it took about 20-30 min in line for a person just to get through security.

We take off from Terminal 2. As you come down to the ground level from parking there is a large open seating area to the left of the escalator. Its by the luggage carousels. We'll all meet there at 5:45 a.m. Thursday June 17th. That's giving you an extra 15 minutes to sleep but it means you can't be late!

Boarding passes are printed based on a scan of our passports. Have your passport on you when you get to the airport! Remember an empty water bottle to fill once you're through security. There will be a charge for food, pillows & blankets on the flight to NY, it's expensive! Tuck some snacks in your carry on or have some cash to buy something at the airport. There is no charge for those items on the flight to Rome but they do charge for headphones. Most of you will have your set from your iPod/MP3 - no problem.

Now to cautionary tales of flying trauma - First was a young lady that left her passport sitting home & had to go back to get it. Do I need to say it again? Yep, don't forget or pack your passport! NEVER put anything in the pocket of the seat in front of you. One girl left her passport there but remembered in time & luckily the flight crew let her back on board to get it. Next was a young man who tucked his boarding pass in that pocket. As we hurried to disembark he forgot & left it there. We spent all our layover/connecting time trying to work things out. They wouldn't let him on the plane & wouldn't let me miss my flight, so he was left behind. Eventually he had to catch a later flight & pay $300 for the ticket change! Finally, pay attention at the airports. Flight times are based on local time not SLC time. Don't wander too far from the group or our gate during layovers. During the rush through the large terminals to make connections stay in a group. We almost lost a traveler in Frankfurt last trip because I was dealing with the above mentioned and no one was watching the back of the group. Smart boy asked for help and made it to the plane on time!

Father's Day

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Katie & I frequently talk about how this is such a fantastic bunch of kids. This probably isn't needed but I want to remind everyone to break out from or expand your traditional friend group as we travel. First, this makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone. No one feels slighted or left out and you don't get tired of and irritable with those that are your good friends. Second, you'll make a whole new group of good friends. More importantly it's a safety issue. One traveler almost got left atop the Eiffel Tower because she wasn't part of a group and no one was watching out for her. Another time a traveler spent the first week of her trip wandering on her own. I was upset with her for breaking the rules, angry with the other travelers that had consistently excluded her, and furious with myself that it took so long to notice. Look around, pay attention and invite others to join you on your excursions.

We just had our Father's Day celebration. The kids got George a t-shirt that says 'Stud Muffin' though there's more muffin than anything these days. I'm grateful for a husband that is willing to let me take off for a month to explore the world with a bunch of teenagers. I'm also grateful to all the parents for trusting me with those teenagers.

Ogres are like onions

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Yesterday was spent getting a haircut, watching the USA vs. England soccer game, and shopping for a few last things. On the list - books, activity/game magazines, cards, coloring books and twistable colored pencils (I love to read but sometimes coloring is a good de-stresser for me). I've decided if I don't have it by now it probably isn't that important.

I'm surprised by the cool turn the weather has taken. I was tempted yesterday to pack my coat but no. Living in Utah we've all learned to layer. I have a long sleeved t-shirt, a hoodie and a windbreaker. All three together should be plenty. If it's not I'll buy a great souvenir sweatshirt wherever I am. Wow, I'm not going to pack the hoodie, then I'll have a great excuse to buy that sweatshirt!

Soccer

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As the World Cup gets under way it reminds me of our 2006 trip. The tournament was in full swing as we hit Germany. The main square in Munich was packed with people from all over the world sporting the colors of their team. Since we didn't have tickets the best place to watch games was the big screens in the bars. What an amazing experience to sit with people from all over the world and with the locals talking, laughing and cheering. We also had a mini impromptu soccer game with a very drunk Australian - too funny!

One of the best parts of international travel is learning about the people of the world. Strike up a conversation with others waiting in line with us. Where are they from and why are they traveling? Take the time to talk to the 'natives.' Ask thoughtful questions, listen to stories, ask them how to say something in their language. One of my favorite things is to go to the market. I love being where the locals are instead of in a touristy shop. It gives me a chance to be part of real life in a new place.

Pick Pockets

D -7
The boys & I went to pick up a few last minute things today. David was balking at the idea of a money belt or neck wallet for keeping his valuables safe. He'd decided that just keeping everything in his front pocket would be good enough, that no one could get anything out of there (his no, no square) without him knowing. At that point Stephen, who is now a seasoned EU traveler, launched into story upon story of pickpocket attempts. I'll share a few of his & a few of mine.

One of our travelers didn't like her neck wallet either. We were in Rome, it was hot & she was sweaty so she took off her 'pouch' and tucked it in her front pocket. Within 15 minutes it was gone - money, debit card and passport! Another was stopped by a cute little boy that tied a woven bracelet on his wrist. The next thing he knew another boy was slipping his wallet out of his back pocket. Good thing a chaperone noticed, our traveler hadn't felt a thing! (Another problem with this scam is that they tie the thing on & then demand you pay for it and you can't get the thing off by yourself. Stay away from these cute kids!) I had a young boy, no more than 12, trying to slip my sunglass case out of my day bag while riding the subway in Rome. He wasn't very subtle so I noticed & yelled 'No.' Wouldn't he have been surprised if I'd let him get away with it? The subway was packed like sardines so there wasn't room to move & darn it, he tried again. I made an even bigger stink just as the doors opened & he bolted. The real surprise - there were so many people in that car, someone had to have seen what was happenening but no one stepped up to help. Yep, I'd broken one of the trip rules and was out by myself so there wasn't anyone from the tour to watch my back.

As we travel use all precautions - stay together, protect your valuables, and always be paying attention!

Graduation Day -- Day 7!!

D -8
Graduation tonight was an awesome conclusion to the year and a high school career and it was also another big thing to mark off the calendar before we leave! There were some great musical numbers and speeches and the tribute to Oakley was particularly touching. It is really great to see Highland shine on a big night like this!

We leave in just a week and a few hours from now -- I can't wait! Now is the time to start packing if you haven't already. Packing in advance will give you the time to think carefully about what you are taking and time to pick up anything you may need before we leave. Think particularly about things like getting a watch (if you are accustomed to telling time by your phone), making sure your credit/debit cards work (especially if they are new for the trip) and getting a hidden pouch (belt or neck -- for your passport, money, etc.).

See you in a week at the airport!!

Congrats!

D -9
This was a crazy day! Final assembly, yearbook day, shut the classroom down for the summer. Throw taking care of the family in there. I was at it until well after midnight. (so this is really a D-8 posting)

Big congrats to graduating seniors, juniors who are now seniors and especially to Katie who defended her masters thesis with flying colors!

I received the flight manifests today so we are ready to fly. It was the last detail I was waiting for. You will need your passport with you to get on the flight, not in the suitcase. Also, bring snacks, gum and things to do. I'm still trying to find out if they charge for pillows and blankets on international flights. Consider bringing your jacket on the flight. You can roll it up to use as a pillow or put it on if you get chilly. I carry an empty water bottle and then fill it once I get through security. Dehydration makes jetlag worse!

Shopping/Packing

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So, Katie notified me that I neglected to put the packing list in the traveler's journals. I'll be getting one to everybody soon but here's a copy so you can get started ASAP...

Packing Checklist

PASSPORT!!! – Have it with you!!! Keep it Safe!!!
TRAVELER JOURNAL – the little white binder, pens or pencils
CREDIT/ATM CARD, MONEY YOU EXCHANGED, PHONE CARD
NAME TAGS ON ALL LUGGAGE: make them bright & easy to spot (I'll be bringing one from NETC by soon.)

CARRY ON TO INCLUDE: Anything you can’t live without for a day
TOILETRIES – All liquids 3oz. or less in a small baggie on top…
soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, hand sanitizer, contact stuff, your beauty stuff
MEDICATIONS – pain reliever, prescriptions (in original container), allergy medicine, motion sickness medicine, antibiotic, etc.
CAMERA – Extra memory card, charger or batteries, (film?)
STUFF – glasses, sunglasses, MP3 or headset w/CD’s, batteries, chargers, books, cards (for layovers), gum, etc.
ALL VALUABLES – don’t pack anything in your suitcase that might be stolen – bring it with you! (Cash especially)
ONE CHANGE OF CLOTHES – including underwear (just in case suitcase is delayed or lost)
MUNCHIES – water bottle, snacks, gum…..

SUITCASE – Label inside and out. Tuck a copy of the itinerary inside.
CLOTHING FOR HOT & COOL WEATHER: long pants (1-2), long sleeved shirt (1), shorts (2), short sleeved shirts (6), jacket (1), umbrella/poncho, (choose lightweight - fast drying!)
COMFORTABLE SHOES: with socks - break in well before we leave!!!
UNDERWEAR: at least 6 pair
ONE DRESSY OUTFIT: for the theatre (shoes to match?)
BELTS, HAT, SWIMMING SUIT (?)
CONVERTER/ADAPTORS & CHARGERS – if you bring any electronics you will need these!
PLASTIC BAG FOR WET ITEMS (or plasticized section in luggage)
LAUNDRY GEAR - detergent (close securely), clothes line, sink stopper
GUM & SNACKS
FANNY PACK/BACK PACK: purses & wallets are easier to snatch. You could make your carry-on your back pack… just transfer everything to your suitcase once you get to the hotel then put your day items in the pack.

PACK LIGHT! You must carry what you take & leave room for trinkets!

Rain

D -11
I've always loved the rain. It's probably one of the reasons I feel so comfortable in the UK. This storm tonight however, is spectacular. Not like anything I've experienced over seas. Remember that rain is probable at least once or twice while we travel. Last trip the rain joined us in Venice, the trip before that London. Bring something along to keep you dry. I carry an umbrella but most of the travelers just pack a cheap plastic poncho. Light, doesn't take up much space and does the job.

D -12!
Packing tip - I have three big tubs hiding behind the couch in my living room. One for me, one for Stephen and one for David. As I pick something up for the trip in to the bucket it goes. I'm doing the same thing with the wash. Once something I'm taking is clean it goes in too. (If there weren't 3 of us going or I had more room it would be the suitcases instead of the bins.) Everything that goes in the tub gets crossed off the packing list. That way I'll know if I'm missing something I need now rather than last minute.

I also dusted off my Italian phrases the other day. I'm terrible! A couple to know...
please - per favore
thank you - grazie
you're welcome - prego
excuse me - mi scusi
hello - ciao (also used as 'see you' or goodbye)
goodbye - arrivederci

June!

I've been counting down for a long time but now that it's June the trip feels real. I'm excited to be in the same month as departure. We have good news, we're being joined by a new traveler. Welcome to Patrick Ludlow!

SKYPE!

Today I set up a Skype account (skype.com). It was fairly simple & didn't take too long. Then I spent the next hour with my daughter Christine, each with our laptops "Skyping" each other. The funny part - she was sitting right next to me!

Picnic

Great picnic tonight! Thanks to everyone for coming and pitching in. I am so impressed by the young people that make up this group of travelers. They are bright, outgoing and fun. This is going to be an amazing trip. 30 days & counting!!!

The next thing for me to learn... how to attach video. This is tonight's performance of the drum corp at David's school. He's the one in the purple hoodie & Highland t-shirt!



Wow, it took over an hour to load the video. Either I figure out how to do it differently/faster or there will be no movies of our trip on the blog...

Planes Grounded

I've been watching as air travel has ground to a halt in EU. I worried for a second about how I would deal with all the arrangements and the kids if this happened to us. Then I realized it would actually be cause to celebrate! When I was 18 there was an air controller strike and I was 'stuck' in London for an extra week. It was great! Is it wrong to wish for this kind of bad luck???

Today I learned how to attach pictures to the blog!

This is the EU '06 group in Rome.

Countdown - 83 to go...

Time to start getting the final details pulled together so the trip runs smoothly. One of the biggest is getting this blog up and running. One more new thing for me to learn. Our first attempt at a title was "Wanderlust" but when I search engined there were already 8 other blogs with the name. Scratch that. "I'd rather be in Europe" was the second attempt and to my surprise no others under that name so, there it is.