D-Day

A very special thanks to all those who helped get us on our way: Karen and Barb for driving us to the airport; Molly D., who put together some very neat "travel bags" for the kids; and the many folks at St. Mark's who kept us in their prayers. Again, to all: grazie mille.

The journey was without incident, a remarkable fact given that we had two connections to make, one in Chicago and one in London. But the flights were all actually ahead of schedule, there were few lines in which to wait, and Italian passport control/customs, well . . . what can one say? . . . hardly a problem.

The weather here in Rome is temperate, or at least that is how it feels to a bunch of frostbitten Minnesotans. Daytime highs in the 50s (13-14C), though in the early morning it can dip down to the 30s. When the sun is shining, however, it easily climbs into the 60s. A sure sign of better things to come: many folks dining "al fresco" near the Pantheon.