Re-entry isn't always easy!

Pictures: 1) the piazza in the walled city of Lucca; 2)View from our room at Andrew's house; 3) Rebekah and Andrew enjoying a moment in Lucca...

Re-entry isn't always an easy transition after a three-week vacation.

In some respects it feels as if Rebekah and I had been out of town more like a couple of months. Not only is Europe a different continent, but Italy felt like a completely different culture. It is.

Different, of course, is neither better nor worse; it's simply different. But I've got to tell you, the rich interaction of history, language, Mediterranean culture, amazing topography, lifestyle and a whole host of variables made for the sense of stepping through the looking glass - like Alice, or walking through the wardrobe and into Narnia - like the children in C. S. Lewis's classic Chronicles.

Most of the time (although we did enjoy multi-day adventures to Rome and Florence on our own), Andrew was our guide. Seeing this culture through the eyes of someone who has committed himself to learn all he can, give all he can, share all he can, and experience all he can gave this particular expedition the kind of twist you simply can't get any other way.

Short post today, because this is also DAY ONE of our complete kitchen renovation! Demolition all day long. I already have a headache.

Watch this space... at least once every new day.
- DEREK