It s been a ride. The ports are coming fast. Day after day. I knew our itinerary, but I didn’t realize the speed of how fast things were going to be coming. 

Every moment that I have, every turn I make I see new and remarkable things. That’s why I’m writing them down so that I can look back and see what I’ve done. Other wise, I’d be sitting here next week saying, “What did I do last week and could not put it in perspective.

So many beautiful things that I couldn’t ever imagine in my wildest dreams. People that I didn’t even know existed. New friends that I’ve collected. New energies that I’ll be able to ponder. Sights, sounds, smells and feelings. Magic! That’s all I can say, is that this is truly a trip of a lifetime. Thank you Pat for putting this together and making it happen. I’m such a better person for this experience. Well maybe not the better person thing. I think I’ll be the same old guy, but I’ll have a load of new thoughts that I’ll have to deal with that’s for sure.

We took a tour with a great guy named John. A GREAT driver. I mean if he didn’t have those electric mirrors, there would not be any mirrors left on the car at all. The roads across the mountains, with all the switchbacks and such with busses and trucks. Oh my. But not a scratch.

We were off to the Amalfi Coast. Three stops along the way and beautiful scenery, towns and of course churches.

We stopped for lunch and hit a fruit stand along the coast too. The roads hung on the cliffs and Iva kept spinning her head saying “Oh my God.” She seems to be okay going down hills, but not up. She did just fine. I’m very proud of her.

The coast? Well the pictures will never do justice to what my brain was seeing, but here are a few just to give you the jist of what our day was like. We are so blessed to experience this part of the World. But in truth, it boils down to the people that live here. They are the ones that have made up most of our experiences. The general public. What they share with us can not be put into words. That’s why I’m putting it here.

In my own life that I live, I have always connected pretty well with people, but now that awareness has been taken to the next level. This is what this trip is doing for me. New priorities, also new meanings and understandings of Gratefulness and Thankfulness. What a gas. Just when I thought I had everything all figured out, the game moves to another level. How cool is this. Unlimited lives. The game continues.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble. Also keepin mind, I shoot about 50 plus photos on reach little trip we take each day. At this time of night, I have to choose about five or six to post here. So the snapshots are really just that. I’d love post them all, but that’s not going to happen, maybe I’ll do a slide show in the future and slap on an Italian soundtrack and then you’ll see them all. Maybe, just maybe.

Well I’ve got to get going. Take very special care of each other and don’t miss a turn in life. Every moment needs to be cherished. Every person you meet and know needs to be focused on and accepted as one of your master teachers. Even if it’s only for a couple of seconds. Also take your alone time so you can reflect, plan and smile at yourself, your World and everything in it. It’s a good life. Be aware of your lessons and cherish them. Share them. Use them and Thank YOU for being a part of my Life. A part of what I am. We are all great together…

Later. Rome tomorrow.

Capt. Paul