tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042956415601969967.post3490327804262530514..comments2023-06-14T08:32:57.119-05:00Comments on Diary of a Mad Art Teacher... and photographer...: 6 days away nowdebiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01252867857089161414noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042956415601969967.post-21613960574107442142016-06-12T07:31:59.754-05:002016-06-12T07:31:59.754-05:00Oh thank you so much Rachelle! I am excited beyond...Oh thank you so much Rachelle! I am excited beyond belief. It is nice to have the easy options of debit cards, cell phones with a brief international plan, and a tour so I don't have to plan for the travel part of it. there is free time built in to the tour, and I will be making the most of my days. This tour the director tries to arrange for some spontaneous stops and things like that for added excitement. <br />We will be seeing glass, leather making and other things I am not aware of yet.<br />And there could possibly be a vineyard/olive orchard stop or two in the works. :D <br />Thank you so much for your well wishes.debiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01252867857089161414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042956415601969967.post-42562052591311487372016-06-12T07:17:53.274-05:002016-06-12T07:17:53.274-05:00Debi, I am so excited for you! I did the Grand Tou...Debi, I am so excited for you! I did the Grand Tour of Europe in my 20s (twice). It was fabulous then, but I was sort of a naïve traveler. And it was different then. I was gone for over a month the first time and remember scheduling a intercontinental telephone call (they had to be scheduled then), to affirm to my parents I was all right. Credit cards were just in their nascence and I certainly wouldn't have had one, so I cashed traveler's checks betting on the exchange rate changes to get the best rates. I had a Fodor's Travels book pointing out all the cheapest/best value places to eat and sleep and which sights to definitely not miss!<br /><br />Michelangelo's David will be bigger than you expect. Some of the best things I discovered by accident. I hope your trip allows for some spontaneity. <br /><br />I found the Italian people gregarious, friendly, and helpful.<br /><br />Florence was my favorite, and be sure to check out Murano glass.<br /><br />Have such a good time!Rachellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00275379577689130061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042956415601969967.post-79392828404900101822016-06-11T14:25:01.652-05:002016-06-11T14:25:01.652-05:00Oh Grand Rapids is such a lovely area, I used to s...Oh Grand Rapids is such a lovely area, I used to spend a few weeks each summer in Walker, near Leech Lake. Always have your camera Mel- just sayin'! ;)debiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01252867857089161414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9042956415601969967.post-71225433071282700682016-06-11T09:08:33.936-05:002016-06-11T09:08:33.936-05:00We were up in northern MN last week by Grand Rapid...We were up in northern MN last week by Grand Rapids area. Saw the most beautiful purple and orange sunset one evening ... similar to the one you posted ... but heavier clouds ... and I didn't have my camera with ... I know ... hard to believe. Thanks for conjuring up the memory :)~melhttp://upnorthwithmel.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com