Packing up ...

I am trying to fit everything in my suitcase, backpack and even the laptop bag that I can with souvenirs of this trip of a lifetime.

I sure hope I can fit it all in somehow. One thing I have already done is to give Giusi some of my winter clothes that can be donated to a local charity here because for people wearing my size, it sure is not easy to find that size.

It should be funny when I arrive in Los Angeles tomorrow afternoon wearing boots and a few extra things just so I can fit everything I want to in the suitcase.

In between packing, I had a great final dinner with Giusi and her mother. We had a salad, a frittata, some pork and chicken and two helpings of pasta, one with a pesto sauce and the other with a sauce using tomatoes from their garden. I also had a lot of water and some barbera wine. And, of course, some breadsticks and other bread.

I also got to see highlights from Giusi's volunteering at the Paralympics, also held in Torino, from March 10-19. She had a blast helping out athletes who really should get more attention than they do. I did see some highlights on Amsterdam TV and part of the opening ceremony while in Berlin, but other than that, the coverage was minimal. Why, I will never know. I think these athletes are the true inspirations for sports and Olympics. It certainly shows the rest of us what sports and competition should be about --- not about the big money contract or the fame and the endorsements.

OK, gotta get packing again. I hope to talk to some of you this weekend or early next week.

Take care all. Next time we talk it will be in California.

Ciao!