Cinque Terre - Milano - LA!

Hi loved ones, so we're finally back on American soil after a very long travel day but we are thankful to be home safe and sound. The last segment of our trip probably contained some of our most favorite memories; Cinque Terre was a delight, a cliffside made up of 5 little towns. We stayed in the 5th town out, Monterosso, where we lounged on the pebble beach all day, got a little burnt, and cooled ourselves off in their pretty aqua-colored water. We also did a hike from our town to the first town, which took about 5 hours. It was a beautiful hike with some treacherous areas but we made it alive and took the train back to where we started. After 3 days in Cinque Terre, we made our way to Milan, the fashion capital of Italy. We did our fair share of shopping, but more in the "window" sense than anything else as we walked by stores like Gucci, Pucci, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino, you know, all the stores we normally shop at. Economic crisis? Ha! The Italians laugh in its face! All in all, it was a great trip; yes it was tiring, and yes the cost of food is insane, and yes we probably will get lung cancer from all the second-hand smoke we inhaled, but we think we've grown as people in our cultural understanding and in street smarts, with a good handful of memories to tuck away into our backpocket of life. Thanks for keeping up with us through this blog, your interest in our lives means much, we love each and everyone of you, until then... arriverderci!

Firenze!

Hi Folks! After finishing up our time in Rome, we headed straight to Florence where we've been the last few days. Florence is a lot like Rome except it's smaller, has less public water fountains, are really into waffles, has better paninos and more mosquitos. But some things here remain the same: people like their scooters and cigarettes, and old men here know how to dress! Some of the pics are from our visit to the Vatican City and St. Peter's Basilica and of course, the Sistene Chapel. Tomorrow we leave for Cinque Terre where we'll spend a few nights, then we'll head to Milan for a couple nights before we fly out from there back to LA. We are coming home a couple days earlier than planned since we cut down our time in Rome but that's okay because as much as we've enjoyed our time here, as Dorothy wistfully says, "There's no place like home."

Things we miss from home: 1. Cheap cost of food. 2. Eating fruits and vegetables. 3. Getting a cup of coffee that is bigger than your pinky. 3. Stores that stay open later than 7pm.

Love you all!

Roma!

Rome is an absolutely fascinating city. The juxtaposition of the old and the new is part of its charm. It is also a tiring city, whose traffic, crowd, heat, and sheer size can easily wear you out. Matt and I have both enjoyed this city but we are leaving it a few days earlier than anticipated since we are ready for a change of pace. Today we went to see the Colosseum (with absolutely no wait time!). It is crazy to think how much blood was shed in that place as a form of entertainment, ugh. Then we went to see Palatine Hill and finished up with a visit to the Pantheon.

Tomorrow we go see the Vatican City; the pope is out of town so we'll have to say hi to him another time but can't wait to see the Sistene Chapel and St. Peter's. We have also taken heed to Shakespeare's advice and have gotten ourselves to a nunnery; we are staying at a convent here in Rome: cheap and clean but slightly creepy.

Lessons learned thus far: 1. Surprisingly, there are a LOT of Italian-Asians. 2. It's generally a big no-no to touch merchandise in stores, especially really nice clothing stores. 3. It might sound like a good idea to be adventurous with pizza toppings by getting wurtsel (hot dog) and fries on it but it's really not.

Positano!

Yesterday was spent traveling by bus further down the Amalfi Coast to the town Positano where we sunned ourselves and swam in the cool water. It was absolutely breathtaking and Matt and I had to keep reminding ourselves that we were actually there, in the actual place that we had only gawked at in pictures. We took the bus into the city which was a trip unto itself and decided on taking the ferry back to Sorrento which was a magnificent choice as we sat on the front deck taking in the amazing views. We leave the Amalfi Coast today and head to the

anticipated Rome, until then...

Lessons learned thus far:

1. Italian men like their speedos and begin this training young.

2. The bus drive from Sorrento to Positano can be nausea inducing.

Pompeii

Hi again loved ones, we spent yesterday touring the site of Pompeii. This ancient site was hidden for years when it was covered by the aftermath of the explosion of Mt. Vesuvius. This was quite the hike around this very large ancient city and by the end of the long and hot tour, our legs were a bit sore and looking at our feet gave us a very good idea of why foot washing was relegated to the lowest servant back in Biblical times. We have also been able to walk around Sorrento in the evenings, which is quite the active city with many British tourists. We are fitting in quite well with the Italians as evidenced by us eating dinner at 9pm last night. We have found a little restaurant downtown that is delicious and inexpensive and have eaten there twice already. And sorry for the very uncreative and unasthetic layout of our blog, we're on a time limit so I just try to get everything on here fast.

Our plan today is to head off to see more of the Amalfi Coast before we leave Sorrento and head to Rome. Until then...

Sorrento!

Hi Friends and Family, so we finished up our 3 days in Venice and arrived in Sorrento last night. Looking at all the logistics of how to get from one place to the next and looking for places to stay in each city was intimidating but we praise God for how He has kept us safe, on track, and staying at places that have been wonderful for inexpensive prices. We are staying at a "hostel" in Sorrento but it feels more like a 4 star hotel, see for yourself.

We have been having a blast and instead of trying to sum up what we've experienced with words, we'll let the pictures do the talking.

Lessons learned thus far:

1. Italians are as gorgeous as they dress.

2. Italy is as quaint and charming as you'd think.

3. Second hand smoking is a national past time, that is unless you smoke it first hand, as many Italians do.

4. The food is deliciozo!

Venezia!

Hi Friends! Sorry it took so long for an update, our access to internet here is pretty spotty and since we are on the hotels website, no way to post photos now but just wanted to let you all know that we made it safe and sound to our first stop in Venice. Its been amazing - Venice is more than you can imagine, the charm and quaintness of this canal city is like walking in a dream. Matt and I have been walking around with mouths gaped open, eyes roaming in every direction, speechless at this storybook town; Venice gives alley ways a good name. We have visited the Doges Palace, wandered around the endless streets, and am planning on visiting St. Marks Basilica today. Will try to post pics soon. We leave tomorrow for the Amalfi Coast for a few days. Love you all!