Krakow? Yes, Krakow

Well kids, it's been an embarrassing year and a half since I've had my passport stamped, which is unconscionable. It's been nearly four years since I've taken a two-week long vacation, which is just stupid. But here I am, departing for a short mancation with Shamrock in Krakow, Poland, to be followed by a week with my grandmother, cousins, aunts and uncles in Milan, Italy. This won't be the typical R&R vaca for yours truly. Besides taking in the sights (and beer) in Krakow, which is supposed to be beautiful and not overrun by tourist hordes, like Prague was 15 years ago, I plan to visit Auschwitz, which I've wanted to see since high school. Not exactly happy-go-lucky stuff, but it'll be good for the soul.

As for Italy, well, visiting family there is never really a vacation, as Sister J. and Sister T. will attest. Lots of noise and you're kind of beholden to their schedule and availability. But my grandmother is getting up there in age and not in the best of health, so I thought it would be fun to surprise her for her birthday, which is on May 5th. Hopefully I'll take some nice pictures and maybe come home with some new Italian choos and skunk water.

Oh yeah, I'm bringing the laptop too, and you all know how much I like to blog from foreign countries. We'll see how it goes, but if you don't hear from me, it's because I can't get a connection, so read some of the old stuff 'til I get back. Ciao for now!