BQ

On May 21st, Kathleen ran the Zions Bank Odgen Marathon in Utah.  The course was stunningly beautiful and the conditions were pretty close to perfect - as was Kathleen.  All of her conditioning and training finally paid off as she ran a 3:58:32, which was good enough to qualify for the 2012 Boston Marathon!

The finish line. 

Eat, Pray, Love

We did not really drink much wine this week as we were on the go...and totally exhausted by the time we sat down for dinner. Last night...well let's just say we made up for lost time...the waiter did not want us to leave as we were surely the life of the restaurant.

On the way to dinner. 

  

The last supper...

The Pope

Today was our last day in Rome and just fantastic.  Highlight of the day...WE SAW THE POPE!!!  Long story...so short story is at one point we were  amere 5feet away...I cried!  Anyway more on that with pictures to follow!!!  And we stayed for the mass...by the Pope and then headed into the Vatican.

In the Pope-mobile

On the steps of the Vatican.

Inside the Vatican.

Trevi Fountain

Apparently, Kathleen just HAD TO throw a coin in the famous Trevi Fountain.  She explains her new (double?) scarf look as follows:
"Oh and by the way...the styles here are AWESOME!!! Skinny jeans like crazy and boots boots and more boots. Scarfs are also big...everyone wears scarfs. I may have purchased a few so I would not look out of place. The Italians really know how to dress!!! I will be sad if I leave without buying boots...I just cannot decide on one pair.."

Spanish Steps

Tuesday in Italy brought more amazing sights:
"As you can see we are now in Rome. Very different experience then what we have seen thus far. Each little town or city has its own little character and Rome has BIG character!!  Today we saw the Spanish steps, many Basilicas and the Fontana del Tritone, Piazza Navone (pretty good Italian) and much more before coming across a nighttime view of St. Peter's Basilica which will will visit first thing tomorrow morning."

Donna, Karen and Kathleen on the Spanish Steps. 

Kathleen on the Spanish Steps 

One of many basilicas.   

Night view of St. Peter's.

Crazy Dinner

Waffle with gelato and nutela on top...and topped with another waffle

Cinque Terre

"Hello again from Italy!
Today we took a two hour train ride (early early) to Cinque Terre which is a national park of sorts, 9500 acres that protects 5 villages and the vineyards, forests, and seacoasts that surround them. It started very rainy with thunder and lightning, actually raining sideways in Florence, however by the time we arrived it stopped raining and by end of our hike it was sunny. Pictures and words can not begin to describe the beauty. BTW...when I say hike...I mean hike. We were able to go from the first town to the second in about 20 min. (1mile) . Town 2 to 3 was closed as the hike was considered too dangerous. We were able to hike from 3 to 4 which was 4k (2.2miles Approx) and it took us 2 hours.  Enjoy the pictures!!"

First part of the journey (Deb, Karen and Kathleen)

Looking at Riomaggiore from the trail going to Corniglia.

 

"I am in Italy" pose.... 

 

Italy Continued....

  

Kathleen and Karen (I LOVE this picture!!)

Fiesole

From Kathleen:  "The next few pictures are from Fiesole a hill town (yes that is what they call it), just northeast of central Florence.  We walked (climbed) up to the highest point.  The view's of Florence were spectacular...even with all the clouds.  Today we are taking a two hour train ride to Cinque Terre.  It is listed as one of the 5 best things to do in Italy.  It is a bit late in the season and rain is expected however we are excited to go...as we are up at the crack of dawn."

More Snapshots of Venice

Gelato! Gelato! Gelato!

Gondola Ride Anyone?!

  

Hello from Italy!

This is the view from Kathleen's hotel room in Venice.  According to her, "Venice is Awesome!!"

Scenes from Italy

As many of you know, Kathleen is currently in Italy.  I suggested that if she had pictures that she wanted to share that she send them to me and I would put them on her blog.  Below is the first of what I hope will be many shots from Italy.

Karen, Kathleen, Deb and Donna

More from Egypt...

Today was our first full day in Egypt …what a culture shock.  We were awoken very early with morning prayers that echoed over the city…fantastic!!!

Alane’s son took us around today to some old mosque’s can Christian churches…only 10% if the population is Christian.  3000 mosques in Cario alone.

A Fun Picture!!

Egypt

Below is a message from Kathleen:

Hello Everyone!  First to answer those of you who have been concerned for my safety - NO WORRIES!!  It is very safe!  Like anywhere you travel, you just need to be careful and be aware of the culture.

So, Egypt is fantastic.  The people, the culture, the way they live, what they put up with.  Amazing.  There has not been one day when I have not cried.  Cruising down the Nile (just to be clear, in a boat and a small boat.  No luxuries here!), you got an absolute sense of what life is like on the farm lands.

As emotional as it is, the people are so hapy.  I love the history but I love the people and more.  I was at a temple today and group of 50 students came in.  not well dressed, very poor and loving the attention.  They call me the long one or blondie and love my name or laugh at it.  I had my picture taken with them.  So awesome.

Cairo

Here are two touristy pictures from Cairo - not what it is all about.  More later....