Slow Travel Friends

This is a special post about very special people--people who are dear to me and an important part of my life--even though it may sound quite strange to many. This is an ode to cyberspace where it is possible to have friends all over the world whom you know only through the keyboard and uploaded pictures--what a wonderful invention the digital camera is!!

For lovers of Italy, there is one and only one website to plan a trip, make friends, learn about wonderful restaurants, marvelous accommodations, the latest things to see and do--basically the place to find answers to whatever it is you are wondering. Slow Travel and its companion message board Slow Talk are the ultimate source for the serious traveler to Italy. Pauline, the talented lady who runs it, has been a friend of mine for years. She developed a fledgling idea born in 2001 into a resource that has now been promoted in Time Magazine, USA Today, Travel and Leisure, British publications, other magazines and many-many newspapers.

Slow Travel is a community of like-minded people--literally thousands of people who enjoy travel, are congenial, generous with information, respectful and fun. And--our being in Italy for a year offers the perfect chance to meet many of these people whom I call friends--both ones who are living here and those who come on much anticipated vacations. So, it is not surprising that when the opportunity to meet face to face arises, it is eagerly arranged.

The month of October was rich with these experiences and so now I introduce to you my cyberspace friends who have become face-to face, in body, friends. The truly amazing fact is that not one has been a disappoinment; each has been so much more than I had anticipated. What a testimony to marvels of the Pauline's creation and the type of people who are attracted to it.

Larry, Jill and Adorable Daniela Friends from Seattle

Casey--Babysitting Daniela

Santa Claus
from the Volunteer State

Jimmy and Tina
Nashville

Barb and Art

True Transplants
Have moved to Umbria From Kentucky

Jerry from Canada
He brought delicious maple syrup
and Captain Crunch for Casey.
Castello Verranzzano

Ellen and Chris
from the Great State of New Jersey
Osteria Passignano
And some treasured Baggies

Colleen and Jim
Cambridge
Fruit Loops for Casey
Grappolo Blu--Montalcino

Leslie
All the way from Australia
just to buy handbags!

Liz from California and Roma
(in the beret)
and Tina and Jimmy
Tennessee
Dinner at Solo Ciccia

Marian
Another Jersey Girl
and Trix for Casey
(actually this was November)

Now you know some of our special people and what a rich month we had in October. Each and every occasion was delightful and added immeasurably to our year here. I suspect that there won't be another 30 days like these but that's just fine. Ken and I have plenty to do just being here in Italy--things to see, people to meet, places to go, restaurants to find and dreams to live.

What a life this is!