Currently Listening Jesus Is By Hillsong London see related

Where in Europe are Vinnie and Jenny?

ok, we are now in london...thank God! if i ever go back to paris, it will be too soon. (and venice for that matter; it was pretty but more tourists than disney world) sorry to all those who like the french, but i've been to the city three times now, and every time it gets worse. maybe it wouldn't be so bad if we could stay away from the parisians, but that seems impossible. they must really hate americans, because i had a couple who were really ugly to me today on the metro; two different people, two different times. nasty, nasty people.

but, we are in london now. we have tomorrow (sunday) and monday in london, then we fly home on tuesday. it will be weird to be in a plane after so many train rides. you haven't lived until you travel by train, especially an over night train in a sleeper car. it's so great. train is definitely my favorite way of traveling. i wish we could do it more in the US.

here's a list of other things i would love to incorporate into my life in the US:

1. using a cloth line to dry clothes.
2. kissing on the check when you greet a friend. isn't that what the bible says to do anyway.
3. being so socially/community focused. ex. taking evening walks just to greet all your friends who are also walking. going to the cafe because you know you'll probably run into someone you know. etc.
4. having fresh food markets on every corner.
5. working to live rather than living to work.
6. taking time to cherish the beauty in the arts.

one thing i will NOT miss about europe: SMOKERS!!!! to be european, i think it's required that you smoke. yuck! i've enhaled more second-hand smoke in the last five weeks than in the last five years combined!!

tomorrow we are going to church at hillsong, london. i'm so excited! we are expecting it to be a great time. then tea at kensington castle. it should be a good day.

sorry, still no pictures, it looks like i won't be able to post anymore until we get home. the good thing about having a digital camera is that you can take as many pictures as you want. the bad thing about having a digital camera is that you can take as many pictures as you want. for those of you who have looked at the close to 1600 that i've posted so far, there's still alot more to go. pictures have really helped to document what life has been like for the last five weeks. so, for those who care, there are still about 1000 more to go, of italy and the trip home. check back next week. that might be all for now.

ok, so this is beginning to feel like the vacation that just won't end. it's fun, but traveling is exhausting. being in the sun everyday and moving around alot and carrying 20lbs on your back is exhausting. but what an opportunity of a lifetime! vinnie and i have both felt like this trip would be a turning point in our life. that may not make sense right now, but to us, it does. it is marking a change in our lives. it will be fun to see what the next few months hold.

we just arrived in florence, italy. we'll be here for two nights then one night in venice, then back to london for three nights, via paris for a day. only one week left. even though it feels like we've been gone along time, i can't believe it will all be over in one week.

more pictures soon, hopefully!

Madrid, Spain - http://picasaweb.google.com/jenmosque/E07Days1718?authkey=IgtM_ycE_N0

Valencia, Spain - http://picasaweb.google.com/jenmosque/E07Days1920?authkey=rqz5YSPIUcM

Avignon & Nice, France - http://picasaweb.google.com/jenmosque/E07Days2223?authkey=wWlrWq4w7uE

by the way, the hike was worth it!!

Hi all, I haven't been able to post anything because of the lack of internet connection, but here's a little update. Maybe I can post more pictures tonight.

Madrid turned out to be ok, too much of a party town for us. When we left for the train station at 6am, Monday morning, there were still young people out from last night's parting. Madrid is known for that, I guess. The street entertainers were cool, and the shopping, but that's about it.

Valencia...a completely different story...LOVE IT!!! So beautiful! Great people! Fabulous hotel! with all you can eat American style breakfast! Perfect beach weather! (Although I was alittle over dressed at the beach. One thing I have to say about European beaches: The "girls" are alot prettier if they have alittle something over them, if you know what I mean!) And a festival! We have no idea what they were celebrating, but it was very religious, and very neat to see.

Spain is by far one of the most beautiful countries God created. Just breathtaking!! And seeing it by train is the best!

Avignon, France - that's a whole other post.

Now we are in Italy. Italian people are just pretty people. The hike is today. Vinnie says it will be worth it. I hope so...Love you all.