Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Corn Sweet Corn
Sorry that we have not had a chance to blog much in Italy - as internet access has been costing us our limbs (which is unfortunate because I am finally able to lift my arms above my head).
We also have many photographs from our travels in Rome, through many small villages in Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and finally Florence. We will be happy to share them later with those of you who are interested.
In Florence we have had the pleasure to be shown around by Nic Wynia who is working on his photography projects at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) - the school where our oldest sister Anna studied a few years back. Nic is a great friend from our days in Story City and was recently awarded a Fullbright to undergo a photography project in Peru next year. His proficiency in the Italian language has helped us fully appreciate the "non-tourismo" sides of this beautiful city, and we were also able to enjoy some exceptional meals/conversation at the breathtaking villa he is staying at. We also thank Anna for her detailed descriptions of the Uffitz, Duomo, and other art that is scattered about.
This Sunday I plan to fly from Pisa to London to Detroit to Cedar Rapids. Thomas will continue traveling with Adelaide to Rimini and Venice - and will then fly home out of Paris on Thursday. We both will be a bit relieved to not be lugging around our backpacks and worrying about transportation, lodging, and nourishment.
We both hope that you have enjoyed our rantings on this blog, and I look forward to seeing many of you at Kate and Lee's wedding. I also cannot wait for some quality Iowa sweet corn.
Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.
With love and care, John and Thomas
We also have many photographs from our travels in Rome, through many small villages in Tuscany, Cinque Terre, and finally Florence. We will be happy to share them later with those of you who are interested.
In Florence we have had the pleasure to be shown around by Nic Wynia who is working on his photography projects at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) - the school where our oldest sister Anna studied a few years back. Nic is a great friend from our days in Story City and was recently awarded a Fullbright to undergo a photography project in Peru next year. His proficiency in the Italian language has helped us fully appreciate the "non-tourismo" sides of this beautiful city, and we were also able to enjoy some exceptional meals/conversation at the breathtaking villa he is staying at. We also thank Anna for her detailed descriptions of the Uffitz, Duomo, and other art that is scattered about.
This Sunday I plan to fly from Pisa to London to Detroit to Cedar Rapids. Thomas will continue traveling with Adelaide to Rimini and Venice - and will then fly home out of Paris on Thursday. We both will be a bit relieved to not be lugging around our backpacks and worrying about transportation, lodging, and nourishment.
We both hope that you have enjoyed our rantings on this blog, and I look forward to seeing many of you at Kate and Lee's wedding. I also cannot wait for some quality Iowa sweet corn.
Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers.
With love and care, John and Thomas
Monday, July 16, 2007
Italia!
I apologize for the brevity of this post but we alittle pressed for time this afternoon. After arriving in Lyon last night, we spent last night and today walking around this absolutely wonderful city. It is very old and while it is the second largest city in France it still feels quite quant. John, Adelaide, and I are planning to celebrate our last night in France by going out for a nice dinner--as we leave for Rome tomorrow. I hope all is well and that all Iowans are staying cool. There are many tales but I suppose they must be saved until next time. All for now... Chao!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Moutains Beyond Mountains
I first apologize for my misspellings and grammatical errors, as I am struggling to acclimatize myself to the French keyboard. We arrived in Pont St-Esprit, France last evening and were welcomed with the finest of cusine and company. Thomas and I are staying in a gorgeous home and are receiving the warmest of hospitality from the family of a former Grinnell High School exchange student – Adelaide Subtil. After cold, wet, and windy weather (coupled with hostile living) for the past fortnight, we are very much at peace now.
More importantly, now that I have gotten this swim out of my system, I hope to refocus the energy that I spent in the water towards more important/relevant endeavours such as health care access. It was truly heart-warming to hear that the most recent fundraising total for the clinic is $15,370! This outpouring of support hopefully emphasizes my belief that the FMC’s services are not only needed and appreciated – but that health care reform is necessary.
Coincidently, what I have taken away from the past ten months has nothing to do with swimming. Rather, my exposure to humanity at its finest has given me much hope. I have been approached by many individuals whom have shared their stories about how the clinic helped them through rough times. I have been blessed with the warm support by my family and friends. I have been welcomed by Iowa City community organizations that have listened to my message. I have been awestruck by the generosity of anonymous donors, well wishes, and random acts of kindness. Thus, I now have solid proof that people are innately empathetic and, by numbers, have the power (if will is also present) to improve society.
Health care reform in some form or another is inevitable; however, the current proposals vary widely. Please consider further helping to increase access by being an educated voter, volunteering, prayers, thoughts, words, and other deeds.
Although mountains inevitably lay beyond mountains, it does not mean that we should not climb.
More importantly, now that I have gotten this swim out of my system, I hope to refocus the energy that I spent in the water towards more important/relevant endeavours such as health care access. It was truly heart-warming to hear that the most recent fundraising total for the clinic is $15,370! This outpouring of support hopefully emphasizes my belief that the FMC’s services are not only needed and appreciated – but that health care reform is necessary.
Coincidently, what I have taken away from the past ten months has nothing to do with swimming. Rather, my exposure to humanity at its finest has given me much hope. I have been approached by many individuals whom have shared their stories about how the clinic helped them through rough times. I have been blessed with the warm support by my family and friends. I have been welcomed by Iowa City community organizations that have listened to my message. I have been awestruck by the generosity of anonymous donors, well wishes, and random acts of kindness. Thus, I now have solid proof that people are innately empathetic and, by numbers, have the power (if will is also present) to improve society.
Health care reform in some form or another is inevitable; however, the current proposals vary widely. Please consider further helping to increase access by being an educated voter, volunteering, prayers, thoughts, words, and other deeds.
Although mountains inevitably lay beyond mountains, it does not mean that we should not climb.
Our beloved youth hostile where we spent some time tossing and turning (along with a British relay team) the night before our swims. In the morning Thomas cooked me some eggs, toast and honey, and tea. He also lugged over 15 L of fluid and all our supplies down to the Harbor.
The last training session in Dover Harbor.
The reason for the season.
Brothers and our boat (this photo was actually taken after the swim was finished – thus our wet clothes).
Going For A Dip - The Swim
In reverse order:
Greased up and ready to go.
Taking the plunge into the 15°C water (the light sticks were in case I finished after sunset).
After hearing the captain’s fog horn I was off from Shakespeare Beach, England at 7:15AM.
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