We are coming to the backside of our trip. Well, not the backside but the portion in which we start looking at the bank account and think of how many packets of Top Ramon that will buy. We leave for Rome today. After that it is Paris and then Brussels and then home.
I have always found it interesting that there is a universal language of play in every culture. Everywhere we have gone the children have had either a child there to play with or they makes friends with some random stranger’s child on the beach to silently make sand castles or exchange a few lessons in English and whatever language the other child happens to speak. We have encountered so many languages that we have a hard time remembering which language we are attempting to try to understand. When we go to Paris, HG will be going to the last day of school with our lovely Paris family’s daughter. (did you catch that?) She will be clueless somewhat in French.
We have discovered another universal language on this trip. The children were sitting watching cartoons in Greek and happy as clams to have something to watch when the character on the TV burped. This being done HB started into a fit of giggles and snorts. So apparently gas is another universal language. Or is it that little boys language needs only a few words with a lot of sound effects? Chickens may say, “Cock a doodle doo!” in the states but they say something completely different in every country we have been in. Cars though…they make the same obnoxious loud screeching sound in any language.
We are off to see how the Italians live life. Deb, I will make sure to take lots of pictures. XXOO Talk to you all soon.

HB plus jellyfish equals a pain in the face. He got stung in the face yesterday. He was fine when it happened. So strange. He did not realize what had happened.
Quick update. In Croatia, loving the beautiful beach and weather. Enjoying being away. Heard from my parents in the states and they said our house flooded and the ceiling in the basement is falling in. Thank heavens for All State. They were on it quick and are doing the work while we are away. The toilet nut by the wall cracked in two. It went unnoticed for 2 days when my parents came to check on the house. All I have to say is thank heavens that they found it then. It will not ruin our trip. Croatia is too beautiful for that.
Hugs to all. Let me know how zour summer is going. I get the comments on my Blackberry. Talk amongst yourselves.

As most of you know we have been traveling. We spent a few wonderful days in Helsinki. I will write about that later. I wanted to write about today as we are here and have a computer connection.
We left Helsinki with apprehension. This was a trip of a lifetime. We both had waited our whole lives to experience a peek at the life behind the Iron Curtain. At least that’s what it use to be. So many stories from our youth. I use to have nightmares hat the Russian Soldiers were coming over the mountains to take me away from my parents. It is interesting and exilerating to actually have our feet firmly planted on Russian soil.
We are currently in the beautiful city of St. Petersburg. The Zsar’s rule here is seen around almost every corner. The winter palace from the outside is nothing short of breathtaking. The architecture is ornate and the detail is precise and definative.
I find it rather odd to see a policeman on just about every major intersection. The traffic is crappy for lact of a better term.
I have had a difficult time adjusting to the time change. In the afternoon I seem to crash hard for about an hour or two. At nights I have more energy. I’m still all mixed up.
The train here was so comfortable and easy. At the border I freaked out. I will try to write about that tomorrow. Kind of a funny experience.
The children are doing fantastic. HB gets a little wild once in a while. I wish he would relax and quit being his boyish “farty” and “gacious” self. He kills me. HG is being a typical sister and barking at her brother when he steps out of line.
So we will see the sites tomorrow. Until then….we will enjoy the city. XXOO