Big Trip to Europe

Florence is freezing today, by far the coldest it’s been since I arrived. The skies are gloomy, the winds blustering, and my mood has reacted accordingly. On days like this, what else can you do but listen to the wind and wintery classical songs (those songs which you thought you’d grown far from, permanently, but as winter returns so does your favor) while writing or finishing assignments? I never realized before these past few years how strongly my personality is affected by weather; I write much more clearly, (and much more in general) in the winter. What else is there to do but sit inside and think about the past?

I’m finding it increasingly impossible to visit Ashley in Salamanca; prices have now leapt from 20 Euro to 50 for the flight, a leap which, considering the former price was barely affordable, is severely debilitating to my travel efforts. Happily though, the rest of my Big Trip to Europe still appears plausible and entertaining.

I believe Ashley and I will have to take a train to Amsterdam, seeing as those flight costs are also rather prohibitive. My train would be an overnight, leaving at 6 and arriving at 10 in the morning – not so bad. For Ashley, I believe, it is 24, but I know she really wants to go.
I ordered some books for traveling today, sent them to home so Mom can bring them over when she comes. Only $19 for 3, what a relief: where are the discount bookstores in Italy! I ordered two books of travel literature, and a Hagen’s book on Buddhism. I had hoped to order one pertaining to energy medicine and healing, but it was quite long and heavy, and I didn’t want Mom to have to pack four giant books… so hopefully this will be enough, and I will be able to find something at the English bookstore near S. Croce – or trade in one / some of my books at the Paperback Exchange and order a new one. We’ll see.