If You Ask a Question in Italian Be Prepared to Get an Answer in Italian!

Seriously. I know I don't know a lot of Italian, but what I do know is pretty good. I spent the first 30 years of my life listening to my grandparents' accents. So, when I approach someone and ask them directions or something in Italian, they happily answer me in Italian. I then give them the blank I-have-no-idea-what-you-just-said-to-me stare, and then I have to say, "En Inglese?" And in perfect English, they give me my answer. Although, once today at The Vatican, I asked a guy a question in what I thought was Italian, and he answered me in Spanish! I have no idea how people that are fluent in 5 languages keep all of them straight. When I was in Egypt, I wanted to use Spanish. Now that I'm in Italy, I want to use Arabic. Aaaarrgh!

Anyway, so far, things are great in Italy. The weather is VERY hot and humid. Someone passed out at the Colosseum. My first day, I walked around Ancient Rome and toured the Colosseum and the Palatine. That about took all day. I learned that over 700,000 people were killed in the Colosseum over the years. Capable of seating 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as, mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The wooden floor was covered with sand to soak up the blood so the fighters wouldn't slip on it.

On my way back to my hostel, I met two guys from Toronto at the cafe I was having dinner at. I ordered my Manicotti al Ricotta e Spinace in my best Italian, and this guy sitting next to me says, "I gave up, I don't even bother." Turns out he and his friend are doing the 2 week Europe tour. The night before they were in Paris and went to a rave in a cave (rhyme not intended). Who knew they even had caves in Paris? Anyway, I said, "I need to at least make an attempt. My grandparents would be rolling in their graves if they knew I was in Italy and didn't speak Italian!

An Egyptian Art Show....weird.

So, after my arrival in Egypt, I was invited to an art exhibition. I was warned that it would be a truly unique experience. She wasn't kidding.

We arrived a bit late. Our arrival was anxiously awaited. I noticed a woman standing there holding a pair of rusty scissors on a tray, and just as I was wondering what they were for...my friend picked them up and ceremoniously "cut the ribbon." Everyone clapped, lots of pictures were taken, and we walked in the gallery.

I was trying so hard to contain myself. There was a jolly looking woman cheerily stooped over her mini keyboard playing bizarre medleys like: Happy Birthday/Jingle Bells and a really fast, happy version of the theme from Love Story. Isn't that movie about a girl that dies from cancer? I felt like I was in a bizarre IFC movie...it was like a cross between the vibe you get from Napoleon Dynamite and The English Patient. The artist had some beautiful things. He uses a variety of medium for his art: painting, photography, mosaics, sculptures, wood carvings, fabric. I'm sure this won't be the last one of these that I will go to.

Zoinks! They Really Do Have Swine Flu Detectors!

Yes, they do. They make you fill out a card stating that you don't feel sick or anything. In Amman, I didn't notice anything, but when I got to the airport in Alexandria, they had a giant thing on the wall that reads: "TEMPERATURE" and has a red light and a green light and something that looks like a giant siren. I kept looking at it nervously as I waited in line to get through customs. There also was a tiny room that said: "QUARANTINE" and I could see a sign inside with a picture of a pig that said "SWINE FLU" next to it. One woman got stopped and she looked really upset. They were eyeing her suspiciously. I have no idea what she told them. They finally let her pass through. I had been downing Tylenol during the whole flight trying to keep my fever down. My throat hurt so bad; It felt like I had golf balls in it. I knew I didn't have Swine Flu...I'm pretty sure it was Strep. Just waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. As I stepped up to the immigration officer, I put on my best I feel-so-great-and-healthy smile. After I got my paperwork, I left the airport and someone was standing outside with a sign with my name on it. "Yay! I made it!"

Tommorrow - Italy. Am I actually ready for this?

Why Do I Have to Get Sick the Day Before I Leave?

T-minus 1 day and counting. I have a 102.5 fever today. Oh my God do I feel like crap. I still have to pack and be on the damn plane tomorrow. I WILL be on that plane tomorrow. My doctor said they have heat sensors at the airport. If they think you have Swine Flu....you could be quarantined for 2 weeks. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, but I lost a whole day of packing.

Here are a couple more pictures from my last day in Washington D.C.

Arlington National Cemetery.

Changing of the Guard during a thunderstorm at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

View of Washington D.C. from Arlington National Cemetery.

Me at Arlington National Cemetery.

Taking off from Reagan International Airport.

The famous Goodyear Blimp over Cleveland, Ohio.

Washington D.C.

I had a lovely wake up call at 5:30am. Lights flashing brightly enough to induce an epileptic seizure and a deafening siren. Fire alarm. I groped for my glasses and they fell on the floor. I desperately felt around on the floor for them and decided that if there is a real fire in the building, I would probably burn to death. I finally turned on a light, found them, grabbed my laptop and purse and shuffled my way down the hall, down 14 floors and outside with the hundreds of other sleepy guests.

The rest of our briefing that day was pretty uneventful.

After our meetings were over, I decided to take a walk and see some of the monuments. From my hotel I walked over to the Washington Monument and then made my way over to the White House as dusk was approaching. I could hear a woman leading some kind of a chant, and realized there was a protest going on. There were very few people around and no media present. I took a couple of pictures as they marched around and decided to investigate. A woman informed me that there is a place in Iraq called Camp Ashraf. According to the pamphlet she gave me, its residents are Iranian dissidents, members of the main opposition movement, the MEK. They have lived there for the past two decades and have been supported by millions of Iraqis. They have been a source of inspiration of the Iranian people who have recently taken to the streets to demand democracy. The Iranian regime is targeting Camp Ashraf because it feels it is the heart of the opposition. On July 28, 2009, Iraqi forces attacked the camp of unarmed civilians, beating and opening fire on residents. Reportedly, 12 died, more than 500 were wounded, and 36 were abducted, including women. The people have been conducting a hunger strike which is currently in day 22. They are asking the U.S government to help the people by sending lawyers and human rights organizations, demand the withdrawal of Iraqi forces, and prosecute those that were responsible for the barbaric assaults.

I left the protesters and took a walk and found a nice French cafe-style restaurant. I ordered the mussels and was shocked when they brought out a huge bowl with about 50 mussels in it. It looked like enough to feed three people! Oh yeah, I ate them all.

Beam Me Up Scotty...My Encounter with Sulu

Well, today was the big day that I head out to Washington DC for a week of briefings before I head off to The Middle East. The day began ordinary enough. My dad and Topaz drove me to the airport, I got out of the car, checked my bags, and headed over to the security line with all of the other lemmings to take off my shoes, empty my pockets, take out my laptop and walk through the scanner. It is a tedious and slightly dehumanizing process, but one we all must endure together - one of the "great equalizers." So, I'm standing there, and from behind me I heard the security guy that checks the travelers' i.d. s say, "Were you here on business?" And I heard a distinctive, booming, baritone voice say, "I was narrating a concert." Not quite enough words to place the voice but I assumed it was some sort of famous sports announcer or something. I turned around not really expecting to recognize the person and realized, to my surprise, it was George Takei or Sulu from the old Star Trek episodes.

We made our way through the line and I made some kind of a joke about how "fun" this part of travelling is. He laughed and agreed with me. We put our shoes on after making it through security without having to go through the "whole body scanner." No one else seemed to notice or recognize him and I quietly said something stupid like, "I love the old Star Trek series. It was an important part of my childhood and I'm pleased to meet you." He was very nice and thanked me and then I said something awkward like, "Have a good flight," and picked up my pace so we wouldn't have that awkward When Harry Met Sally airport scene moment. It turned out we were going to the same concourse and I ended up behind him at some point. He was flying to LaGuardia out of D2 and I was flying to Reagan International out of D11. I actually followed him all the way to his gate. I really wanted to get a picture but I felt stupid asking. Plus, I figured the poor guy probably wants his privacy and if I draw attention, then maybe everyone will want a picture. So I stalked him instead.

First, I tried to get a picture on the escalator, but from behind he looked like he could have been ANY older gentleman. Then, I sat down a few rows behind him (this part of the concourse was almost deserted) and tried to stealthily take a picture from behind. Still no good. I tried from a different angle - nope. The I went to the ladies' room, put my camera on zoom and tried to sneak a picture from the front, but he had the damn newspaper in front of his face. Now I'm wondering how many people are actually watching me with suspicion as if I'm some kind of terrorist doing surveillance on the airport (Irish Republican Army? I don't know). I went back to D11 feeling defeated. I still had about 20 minutes before my flight was going to take off, so I decided "Screw it, I'm asking for a picture, the worst he can say is "no."

By this time, his life partner had returned from doing whatever he was doing and two other men were standing there having a conversation with them. I walked right up and waited for a pause in the conversation and said, "Excuse me, it's ok if you say no, but would you mind obliging me with a picture?" I was SURE he was going to say no. To my surprise, he said, "Sure, I'd love to!" and stood right up and put his arm around my shoulder. I handed my camera to one of the men, he very dramatically exclaimed, "You want ME to take the picture?" Like I was asking him to lick my shoes. I said, "Yes please." Thankfully, George's partner stood up and said, "I think I should take the picture." He looked in the view finder and said, "Wow! This is really close." I had forgotten that I had the zoom on while I was stalking him! He took the picture and it actually turned out really great. George asked me where I was heading. I told him I was on my way to DC and then off to Egypt to teach. He told me a story about his nephew that went to Japan on vacation and loved it so much that he studied Japanese and is now a CPA in Japan. Then he asked me when my flight was and I said, "In 15 minutes actually." I thanked him and then sprinted to my gate and made it just in time!" What a really gracious person! Thanks George! Live long and prosper!

Nature Shots

These are just some random nature pictures I took during my stay in Northeast Ohio this summer.

A fawn grazes on someone's front lawn in Cleveland Heights.

A Great Spangled Fritillary at Girdled Road Reservation.

August sunset in the country.

Topaz takes a dip in the creek.

A rock that resembles a mosaic in the creek.
Iron seeping through the rocks.

Lakeview Cemetery

Ok...so I like cemeteries. Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, just outside of Little Italy, boasts some really famous residents including, 20th President James A. Garfield, Eliot Ness, richest man in the world J.D. Rockefeller and others. Sadly, I got there just as they were closing so I wasn't able to go inside Garfield Monument, but I will be making another trip before I head to Egypt.

Interior of Wade Chapel. The window and mosaic are all done in Tiffany glass.

This chapel was built in the honor of Jeptha Wade who was the founder of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

President James A. Garfield Monument.

At the front of the monument.

Eerie monuments.

Grave of J.D. Rockefeller. He lived to be 98!

Grave of John Hay.

Scary angel. Looks like she is crying blood.