I am back in Italia... ahhhh... I can breathe a little easier. I love this country. I first studied here when I was 18 ... then again when I was 20... and then a couple years ago shot my first destination wedding here...  so this place ALWAYS has a special meaning in my heart.

Well.. I arrived in Roma this afternoon and was met by my very old friend Giuseppe.. I met him on a train going to southern Italy in 1998.. haven't seen him since then... and here I am being graciously hosted by he and his gorgeous girlfriend Giorgia...  its amazing how you can truly have connections that last a life time.. after all these years

As I had mentioned I thought I might have a lot less pics.  Well I was right since the evening was mostly spent catching up and eating dinner.. as you do here!!  We also went and saw Angels & Demons... a movie.. while traveling... it was actually kind of cool considering it was all filmed in Roma and we walked out of the theater directly into one of the main piazza's they filmed in...

Tomorrow.. off to Firenze... so if italy is close to my heart... it is Firenze that holds the key... AND my dear old friend Nadia is picking me up at the train station... she was my Italian "local" friend when I was 20 and living in Firenze...  and here we are 11 years later...


 

Here are a few last images of life in Slovenia... 

I am now sitting at the Budapest airport... waiting for my flight to Roma...  from then more pics (but I'll be honest...  I may not be taking my camera along with me AS MUCH... here is where my vacation begins...but don't worry I won't leave you hanging)!!

Until Roma y Italia..

ciao amici...
A

Yesterday... my last day in Slovenia, Andrej, Katarina, and Lina took my mother and I to the small little Adriatic Coast of Slovenia.. everyone thinks Croatia has all the coastline... but oh no.. my Slovenia has a beach too.. and as the pics will show a beautiful one at that... 

We went to Piran, the oldest coast town (oldest of what.. not sure?... but its old).. It was a great little transition into Italia since every sign was written in Slovenian & Italian, ... my perfect mix...

We also went to this really cool Castle (Grad in Slovenian) that is built into the cliffs... kind of reminded me of Lord of the Rings...

Oh what a wonderful way to end my trip in this country... until I can return.. hopefully next time with more relatives from Cleveland... (yes I'm talking to you my dear cousins)...

So as you've seen I have been spending a lot of time with my older Slovenian relatives... well the other night I spent the evening with my cousin Andrej, his lovely (and hysterical) wife Katarina... and their adorable little girl Lina...  finally an evening where I can speak English...

Those of you in America may be thinking .. wow Andrejka is soooo adventurous traveling off to the far reaches of Eastern Europe... formerly Yugoslavia.. formerly communist country...  well... I'm going to let you in on a little secret (and possibley blow my "coolness" cover)...  they live VERY similar...  we drank beer... talked about hockey (Redwings of course) and the Celtics were playing in the background... and also listened to a little Kid Rock & Sweet Home Alabama... needless to say it was quite an enjoyable evening... but there was defintley slovenian food on the table...

Thanks again you guys...  so...you know the goal...  by next April..!!  See you soon!
Ce veda...  gremo gor..  pivo

Love,
A

Here some adroble pics of LIna... they even give their "little master" baths... just like us!



  

Okay... so .. this day we went to the oldest city in Slovenian  Ptuj which was founded by the Romans in about 1000 bc...  the streets and the walls the pizza... all have that roman feel...

Then we traveled into the hills of Haloze where my family has a home and vineyards.  This was the home of three generations of my family... I grew up hearing many stories of this place...  it is even more peaceful and beautiful then I ever could have imagined!!  We even have a cellar with barrels and bottle our own family wine.

And then there is one pic of hops..  as in beer hops.. as in Slovenia is the number one exporter of hops to German beers... just a little fact.. next time your drinking a German beer you can think of Slovenia!!

Okay . .so I am about to leave Maribor and head to Ljubliana the land of my father...  I am not sure if I will have any internet so I may be dissapearing again until I get to Italia this weekend... but will still keep shooting away!!

If I don't get a chance to tell you all... have a wonderful weekend!!!