The first 24 hours

As always, I was scrambling out the door at 5:00am Saturday morning to catch my flight. Needless to say-- this did not leave me with time to write the pre-trip blogs as I wanted too. However, I'll give you the condensed soup version:

My fears about Egypt: Getting kidnapped by terrorists. Dying of heat (not literally but more in my dramatic I-can't-stand-to-be hot). Losing the bite-n-suck.

What I'm excited for: Seeing Ryan. Taking a picture in front of the Pyramids. Being back in Italy. EATING MOZZARELLA!

Clarifications: Ryan and I had a platonic relationship while I was in Italy, don't quote me on that after this visit.

As for the first 24 hours. Well that time was spent mostly in the air. I had to take 3 flights to get here, Portland to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Munich. Munich to Catania. In Munich I saw the first smoke booths in an airport that I've ever seen. As the 4 hour layover was the only time I've ever spent in Germany, I thought I had actually learned something new. Then I talked to my Dad on Skype and he told me that they have those in America too-damn!

Being in Italy has been bittersweet. I cried a couple times yesterday, I just love this country so much---I never ever want to leave it!! Ryan and I revisited some of the places we went to before yesterday, a lot of them with Court and Bella---thus what brought on my tears. Aside from missing my sorelle, I'm really having a blast!

Quick funny story: Ryan's neighboor, an old woman and her daughter stopped us in the parking lot last night. She held my hand as Ryan turned bright red and talked to me in Italian for 10 minutes. I may not speak Italian but I could tell she was telling me that I was beautiful and that Ryan should marry me. It was hysterical and the woman and her daughter were so passionate---raising their arms and talking fast. I felt like I was in an Italian movie. Ryan later told me that they were scolding him for not going to the church, that Ryan and I must get married, and that our babies would be beautiful. I love Italians!

I'm going to make us late for Egypt by writing this, so I got to go! More when I can!