Twenty Years Ago

 Deb and I pose with gladiators at the Colosseum in Rome.  We took our first trip across the Atlantic in late September  of  2001 with Deb's mom, uncle, aunt, cousins, and guests.  

We spent the first couple days in Rome, then stayed in Lucca for the remainder of the trip.  We visited Florence, Cinque Terre, and Siena. 

Knox Saga Seems To Finally Be Finished

The murder conviction of Seattle's Amanda Knox has been overturned by Italy's highest court.  Knox an exchange student was convicted in the death of Meredith Kercher. After serving four years in an Italian prison, her sentence was overturned and she was freed.  Soon, after returning to Seattle, her acquittal was overturned.  Knox faced extradition to Italy, had her conviction not been overturned.  While we probably will never know the exact facts of the murder, we can be happy that this matter has been settled.

Where We Were 10 Years Ago On This Date

It was amazing that this trip ever took place.  Our first trip to Europe was 10 years ago.   We had planned to go to Italy for about a year and a half.  The date was finally rolling along when 9/11 happened.  Air traffic was stopped on that day and our thoughts were that the trip would be cancelled.   However, there where two more weeks to go and the "show" went on.  I remember that the plane was  three quarters empty on the way over.  Apparently many people cancelled their trips as America was feeling the tensions of traveling, so soon after a catastrophic event..

The trip was planned by Deb's uncle who came with us, along with his entire family, Deb's Mom, sister, and brother-in-law.  We would visit Rome, Pisa, and Florence.  We spent the first couple days in Rome touring the city, including a trip to the Vatican, then took the train to Pisa, where we would rent cars and drive to nearby Luca.  We stayed in a villa in Luca taking day trips to Sienna, Pisa, Florence,  and Cinque Terre.  Hopefully we can go back to visit again.