1) CARS
We finally picked up our new car that we ordered in December!!! It's a 2010 Volvo XC60. It is their crossover SUV...a bit smaller than their regular SUV, the XC90. We absolutely love it! Taylor is driving it until June and then it becomes my car! I have to admit, I will be a little sad to turn over my Accord to Taylor. I really love that car too, and I'm so proud because it's the first car I paid for by myself and I have taken care of it the last 5 years. At least it's still in the family :)
While it is so nice to drive a brand new car, there's a little thing that comes with it called insurance. This little thing turns into a huge thing when you're in Italy, with the world's highest insurance rates. I'm just going to add this bit of info to the blog for those of you feeling bad about your rates, thinking your insurance company is ripping you off, or mad about an increase because of a wreck or ticket. On our car insurance through USAA (who by the way have excellent deals and I'd highly recommend if you have military affiliation) we have a paid off 2003 Accord with ONLY liability insurance and full coverage for the Volvo. Taylor has nothing on his record and I believe I may still have 1 ticket on there from 2007. We are paying 3200 dollars a year! Can you believe that? We were around $4500 a year before we took the Accord down to just liability! It's ridiculous!!!!! See, don't you feel better about your insurance and driving in a country where traffic laws are enforced?
Already a bit dirty!
2) DEPLOYMENTS
Since I last wrote, many of you know Taylor was tasked for a deployment to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar (it's a country next to Saudi Arabia and a main transportation hub for troops deploying to Iraq/Afghanistan). He was set to leave the beginning of June for a 6 month deployment. In true military fashion, the deployment has since been cancelled, shocking. I am a bit disappointed it got cancelled, while I of course do not want him to be gone for six months, I know a deployment is inevitable and I was very happy with the location of this one...but now, who knows where he'll go!
And speaking of deployments, Taylor's twin, Thomas, is leaving this week for a year deployment to Afghanistan. He has 3 months of training in Louisiana and then will spend 9 months over there. So please, please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a safe deployment.
3) TRAVEL
Let's see, about two weeks ago I went on a camping trip to Slovenia with a big group from work. It was in the mountains on Lake Bled, just outside Lublijana, the capitol of Slovenia. We really had a fun weekend, didn't do much but eat, a little hiking around the lake, a bit of drinking, and lots more eating! There were 17 people and 9 dogs!! Taylor didn't get to go because he had to work. Andrea and John let me ride up with them and Chasey (their adorable Golden Retriever), so I was thankful for that! In a matter of one day we were in three countries, Italy, Austria, and Slovenia...that's what is so beautiful about Europe!
Andrea and I in front of the castle on an island in the middle of Lake Bled.
Some goofy fun, yes, we take care of your children :)
Last weekend Taylor and a couple friends went to Casablanca, Morocco. I opted not to go because of the length of travel and brevity of the trip (along with the steep flight price for a one day trip!!) They left Friday night at 6pm, spent all day Saturday there and then left at 11am on Sunday to return home, and arrived home late Sunday night. I received an email from him on Saturday night that said, "this place reminds me of Iraq, you won't believe some of my pictures".
Not only was the city not quite what they expected, when they left they got stuck in Rome, due to airports closing down because of volcanic ash. They got super lucky to hop on a booked EuroStar (high speed) train to Venice and played the dumb American role when confronted by the conductor about being on the wrong train (they bought tickets for the regional train that stops every 5 minutes and would have taken 5 hours to get back to Venice!!) Due to the craziness of travel with all the airports being closed down the conductor allowed it! When he finally got home, I asked how the trip was, he responded, "it was a good experience, but I won't go back." I think I made the right decision to stay home!
The second largest Mosque in the world, Hasan II. Taylor said it was gorgeous on the inside.
A pic from inside the Mosque.
They took a wrong turn into a rough neighborhood. Yes, those are bags of trash and the tarps are homes.
Please notice this is Alabama Bakery in Morocco...niiiiiice.
Their stop sign, as Taylor said, "three men in a canoe!"
While at home I went on a hiking trip with my friend Jennifer, who lives in San Quirino too, and her husband Josh, and their 4 month old baby, Luke! We went about 15 minutes from base to the mountains and hiked from Gorgazzo to Mezzamonte, a town half way up the mountain. Although apparently we took the wrong path, because this dang thing zig zagged straight up the mountain. We seriously were huffing and puffing our way up that mountain! We were thinking the Italians were all about getting to the destination as soon as possible instead of enjoying the scenery on the way up. We later found out there is a second path that lengthens the journey a bit, but allows it to be less steep, which makes a bit more sense. Oh well, live and learn!
Our next trip planned is for next weekend, we're heading down to Lignano, it's a beach in Venice. We're going with a group from the squadron for Monique's birthday. Spending the day at the beach and going out at night then spending the night, should be fun!
4) VISITORS!!!
It is official, in 38 days my brother Drew, and my cousin, Megan will be coming to visit for three weeks! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! We're going to Venice, Rome, Florence, Bologna, hopefully Croatia, and maybe Slovenia?? So many great places to see, we're going to have so much fun!!!
And on top of that, Mama, my grandma just booked her Mediterranean cruise with her girlfriends for September! She has a list of fabulous stops on the cruise (many of which are on my "To See" list over here)Afterwards, she's going to stay with me for a week and we're going to Milan and Lake Como and I'm so flippin' excited!!!! I think it's a bit too early to start a countdown to her visit, but I seriously considered it!
Alright, as of now it's bedtime for me. All I have to say is TGIF!!! Maybe heading to the Pordenone market tomorrow morning, if weather permits! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ciao, bella!!
Woohoo, LOVE the new car! Congrats!! I am so shocked with Morocco, didn't expect it to look like that at all. So glad to hear you're doing well my dear! Thanks for the update :) Miss you!
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