First Post (from Italy)

Finally landed in Rome after some 15-odd hours in the air. Caught the train to Civitavechia, where I spent the night at a B&B. The second B came in the form of a ticket for a free breakfast at a cafe down the street, Nero Bollente, which had some wonderful pastries.

I made my first language mistake here -- asked for a latte and got a cup of milk! A not altogether unpleasant surprise -- the milk was steamed and had chocolate powder sprinkled on top. Unexpectedly good.

Met up with my mom, George, Jeanne and Jim a couple hours later and boarded the cruise ship, and spent the afternoon exploring. The important discover: there's a wireless network available, but it's $0.35/minute. *ouch*

It's a little after midnight now and I'm typing this from one of the top decks in the aft. It's pitch black outside the radius of the ship's lights, and I can just make out a few lights twinkling in the distance.

Our first stop will be at Monaco, and it's time I went to bed.