Getting Closer

I'm trying to tie up loose ends before April 26th.  Not used to writing for an audience!  Usually my audience is myself.  Preparing my curriculae for the two courses I'll be teaching in the fall just so I don't have to think about it in Florence!  Doing some last minute writing and submitting.
The plan is to fly into Milan and stay with my cousin, Nicola, who is an artist, and his wife, Adele, for a few days, then hightail it out to the environs of Siena for a Dakini Retreat with Vicki Noble.  From there, I'll head back to Florence where Nicole will (hopefully) be in in our apartment.  She is flying into Milan a couple days behind me and we'll meet there or in our apartment.
The next day, our time will be occupied with a 5-day cooking/language course that we'll do together.  Then, Nic's off with her friend Katrina for a week-long whirlwind jaunt around Europe (oy vey) while I stay in our apt. with my niece, Alyssa, who is coming in from a semester abroad in Bordeaux.  While Alyssa is staying with me, I'll be studying some Italian for two weeks, so that I can speak with my cousins when I see them.
When Nic returns, she'll do a two week fashion course while I finish up my language course.  Then, I have a week where I  haven't planned anything, but here are some things I'd like to do:  Go to some hot springs, visit the Etruscan sites around Tuscany, see Venice---
For the last week of our time together, Nic and I may take a train down to Caserta and stay with cousin, Alessandra and her family.  Then, we'll head to Rome and fly home!
That's the plan, and as we all know, plans are best made but always change (can't remember the exact quote!)

Nicole to Ecuador

Today we are driving Nic into NY to JFK.  She will be flying to Ecuador and staying until April 24 (sniff!).  I will miss her teasing.  It's been a blast having her home.  She will be running a camp for the kids in San Pablo outside of Guayaquil and then going to Quito to work with street kids.  When she returns in April, she and I will be flying to Italy!

Getting Ready for the trip

I know--it's only March, but good times entail good planning.  I am in the process of booking an apartment for Nic and I in Florence and signing up for cooking and language courses.  She's going to take a fashion course.  Alyssa, my niece, will be visiting us.  Our first visitor!