VirtualTourist Member Ciambella Best World Travel Deals
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| Page Views: 1,998 | Friends Across VT Land by Ciambella - last update: Jan 27, 2006 |
| With Ellen and Joe in Arezzo |
Ellen Ellen, her husband Joe, and her son Bryan were the first VT friends we met.
Arezzo on the last Sunday in November wasn't exactly my choice of a meeting place, with the expensive junk disguised as antique and the crowded restaurants. Had we thought about it, we could have Ellen and her family come and stay with us instead.
We met again a year later when Ellen and Joe flew down from Montana to see us in Colorado (they even brought Montana steaks!). Tomorrow, we'll fly to Ireland to see them when they're on vacation in Dublin.
You can tell that we really love Ellen and Joe, can you? |
Brad Brad is a big teddy bear, he is. He lifted me up and twirled me around as if I were just a doll. He did that less than 10 seconds after we ran into one another (first time we met) in the crowded underpass in Verona train station. He did that again in front of the bar outside of Verona centro storico. He did that again a few times in Venice. And in between the lifting, he squished my head often. Well, I am exaggerated of course; he did not really squish my head too hard. It did not matter how gentle he was, I felt lost in his open big arms. I sometimes thought he had enough arms to wrap around me twice.
Charles just watched us acting like big brother little sister with amuse. FYI, I am much older than that teddy bar even if he is actually twice bigger than I. |
Aga I don't think I have ever had that much energy in my entire life as Aggie had in the short three days we were together. She laughed, she talked, she skipped, she told jokes, she imitated people's voice, and she laughed again.
Aggie especially made the request that I post this picture, the famous "shoulder-to-boob" picture. You see, I am very short, so it did not matter how we stood, one of my shoulders always ended right where her chest started. It was kinda embarrassing.
I read on VT that Aggie has adopted us as her parents. What's wrong with kids these days, they didn't even think of informing you when they wanted you for their parents?
Aggie, does that mean we can ground you now? |
Kinga Very soft-spoken and a bit more reserved than I imagined she would be, the free spirit named Kinga is at home everywhere she is.
The three days and two nights Charles and I shared the flat in Venice with Brad, Kinga, Aggie, Yana, Asia, and Daniel was like a long sleepover, except that we did not sleep much. And while we all felt sluggish in the morning, Kinga was ready to greet the day no matter the hour.
She is now on a new hitchhiking trek in Africa. Kinga, wherever you are, may peace continue to be with you. |
Yana Gracious Yana did ballet exercise on her toes in the hall of our shared flat. Assertive Yana made sure her opinion was heard. Serious Yana intensely watched what evolved around her. Demure Yana contemplated her reflection in a handheld mirror.
There were more than one side of Yana, and why shouldn't there be? |
| With Deb in Citta di Castello |
Deb Deb and I have known each other for years in another travel site, but I didn't know until recently that she is also a VT member.
Deb is a rescuer and caregiver to birds of all kinds. The volunteer job takes up all her time and she can only travel when her birds leave the nests each year.
Deb and her husband Jerry have become more than good friends to us. Same as Ellen, they are a part of our family now. |
| With Larry and friends in Rome |
Larry Larry is one of the best "strangers" we've ever met. The night before we left for our US trip, we visited Larry and Sue in Rome. Since our student Tiziano travelled with us, his parents drove us to the city. They didn't know we had never met Larry before until we all introduced ourselves. Being Italians, they were born with a suspicion and reluctance to change, and the fact that we took their only son to meet a perfect stranger from the Internet didn't sit well with them. Luckily, Tiziano was younger and more adaptable to our American way.
"Stranger"? I wish all the strangers in the world were like Larry. He's funny, generous, and warm hearted. Best of all, he was not afraid to shed a tear when talking about the house he built with love.
"Stranger"? I wish I could love all the strangers the way I love Larry and Sue. |
Nancy We were in Boulder cat sitting for one of our daughters for three weeks, and "The Beee" was in Denver with her husband's travelling Broadway show when we met. We spent a great day together, first with lunch at The Teahouse as suggested by Kymbanm, followed by a walk around the Art Festival and Farmers Market, then a drive to Rocky Mountain National Park to watch deer and antelopes, ended with a great meal in a local restaurant outside of Estes Park, then we took her back to her dazzling hotel. We couldn't wait to meet her again so a couple of days later, she joined us for a backyard BBQ when Ellen and Joe flew down from Montana to see us.
Nancy, what a great life you have. We hope you'll enjoy the friends you meet along the way as much as we enjoy you. |
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 Comments for Ciambella about World | | | | |
hientonkin Mon Aug 18, 2008 14:38 UTC
I am in the US now . Boyce, Virginia - my fiance's hometown. :) we will have engagement party on 6 Sept here .. wonder if you can come, where are you now? | travelgourmet Mon Aug 11, 2008 07:42 UTC
Hello again, hello. Thanks for caring and calling by phone. We are sorry to have missed your call. Sue is a little better but still very tired and sore. Good to have heard from you. Trust all is well with the two of you. Larry | WorldMeet2008 Mon Jul 21, 2008 13:32 UTC
Your next trip? Make it really unique! It's not too late to attend WM08 - Jerusalem, Tel Aviv & Dead- Sea on 25- 28th Sept (+Petra 29-30th). We want to double the num of attendees to 100! Click to learn where, when, what, how, how much! Avi [FruitLover]. | bhimchhetri Tue Jun 24, 2008 06:27 UTC
Good to know something about you. Wish you good time. Bhim |
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