George Rebane

We have visited three continents on this trip and have learned a lot.   One of our stops was Athens which we were able to just barely get in and out of between riots.  As I write, the Dow has taken a 900 point dip and bounced on worries that the Greek disease is contagious.  RR readers know that it is contagious, but the severity and speed of spread of this disease is not yet known.  At home, we are looking at budget busting deficits at all levels of government, and the fiat dollar continues to float on a froth of faith.  The public service unions rule.

This morning we all (travelling with friends Tony and Paula) disembarked the Navigator of the Seas in Rome’s port of Civitavecchia.  The whole process, including the scheduled van bringing us to Rome, went surprisingly smoothly.  Everything was well thought out and everyone acted in a most professional manner.  We are back in the La Lumiere, the little hotel located in the area of Rome deadliest to your wallet.  Jo Ann and Paula immediately disappeared into the shops to lend more truth to that proposition.  Tomorrow morning we fly home.

The things we saw and learned will be posted after we get back.  Before dinner Jo Ann and I took a short walk from the hotel to the Spanish Steps (picture), one of the many areas where people in this dynamic and vibrant city like to congregate and just enjoy each other.  We arrived and heard the sound of enthusiastic applause to what turned out to be a young married couple who were walking up the historic steps to have their marriage blessed at the big church on top – a joyful scene brimming with hope for a better tomorrow.