Karise's First Newsletter from Sicily

My sister, Karise, is in Sicily for 3 weeks on a missions trip. I am so proud of her and excited to hear of her trip so far. Here is her first newsletter.
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5 agosto 2007

Io qui adesso! I am here now! My trip to Sicilia was quite interesting. My very first flight was an hour late leaving Minneapolis which ended up changing my entire itinerary. I was re-routed through Paris! Now THAT was interesting. I was able to get a few hours of sleep on my overnight flight to Paris before my roughest travel day yet! The plane landed in Paris and drove out to a parking lot for planes. Everyone deboarded and got on a bus, so I followed them having no idea where it was taking us. There was no other option so I assumed it was the right way to go. It pulled up to a building and everyone went into some doors and up the stairs - again, I just followed hoping it was correct. Then we stood in line for what I soon found out to be customs. Yes, a little disappointing that the first stamp in my passport in now Paris - NOT Italy! Once through customs I just stood there wondering where in the world to go next. Since the change in my itinerary, I no longer had boarding passes for each flight. So not only did I have to find my gates in both Paris and Rome, but I also had to find the ticket counter! And let me tell you, it's not as simple as the front of the airport contains the tickets and check-in, the middle the terminals, and the end the baggage. Oh no - everything is all over the place! I managed to get into a line for my ticket in Paris and tried calling the Collesano's to let them know I would be late, but the numbers I was using to dial out of the country were not working! There was a very sweet couple behind me in line that I know were sent by God! They helped translate things that were being yelled out about flights from the agents and they also helped me figure out how to call out of the country to reach the Collesano's. On my flight from Paris to Rome, we flew over what I can only imagine to be the Swiss Alps. I was three seats in from the window and I've never desired the window seat more than I did then. I would have taken 100 pictures! It was gorgeous! Upon reaching Rome, I had to wander around the airport for about 30 minutes or more before I found the ticket counter. I'm telling you, no signs and no service desks! Then I settled in for the 4 hour wait until I could board my fourth and final plane to Sicilia. I found my gate and tried to keep my eyes open until my flight departed. I came about 5 minutes from missing my flight since they decided to change gates, but not tell anyone! I was so glad to finally be at my destination at 6pm last night (local time). There was only one problem. My luggage did not come with me. Giuseppe said that Paris is famous for losing luggage - permanently! So I prayed, Lord - you have every right to that luggage and your way is best; but it would be great if it came! So we registered the luggage as lost and left the airport. In Italia, people don't wait in lines. You can be waiting for the next available agent, and they walk up right in front of you and disrupt the person in front talking to the agent to ask their question! When we got to the Collesano's I showered and hand-washed my clothes so I had something to wear to church today. And then I climbed into bed and was out before I could even think about the past days of traveling!
This morning we went to a cafe around the corner and had cafe and a pastry for breakfast. Giuseppe told me how to order what I like. Cafe latte freddo - mezzo cafe, mezzo latte, piu latte. It is basically an iced coffee. It was good! Then we headed into town for church. The city is so packed with people. Buildings everywhere with apartments. It is also dirtier than I would have imagined. Perhaps that is Europe in general, but I have no comparison. At church the preacher spoke on Acts 17! Which is what Pastor Jason preached on last week! Funny! I understood things here and there. Everyone is so friendly and came and greeted me with the Italian cheek kisses and said hello. They tried to speak English to me too. It was sweet! The group from Rome was there and the ladies sang a beautiful song. I wish I had my camera out to record it, but I feared being more of a distraction than I already was as the American visitor!
After church we went back to the airport and my luggage was there and in one piece - Praise the LORD! After lunch today I laid down on my bed to write in my travel journal. I later woke up to find pen marks! I gave in and took a nap!
I now have an idea of what it is like for the international students to come to America not knowing very much of he language and try to get around. To sit through a church service and pick up ideas and words here and there, but to know I am not understanding most of it. But I sit in awe of my God. I feel as if I have known the Collesano's forever. At church they have a time where different people in the group pray and as I listened to the prayers, I had a moment of awe thinking how awesome it is that God is the God of all people. I talk to Him in English and He hears me, they talk to Him in Italian and He also hears them! I know we all comprehend that fact, but in that moment I marveled at my Lord.
Tomorrow we will head over to the school at about 7am to start cleaning so that we can come home during the heat and rest before going back again to work.
Oh yes, an exciting thing happened yesterday! Giuseppe was telling me about our trip to Rome this weekend. Well, apparently he also needs to make a quick visit up to Florence! He said he could drop me in Rome to wander or I could go on the train up to Florence with him. Ummm, hello! Florence! So I will get to see Roma AND Florence! Wow! And last night on the way home he says; "I have-a one more surprise for you. We are going to see the land of your ancestors". I wasn't sure if I understood exactly what he was saying so I said "excuse me?" And he said; "we go to Graniti, see where your grandfather was born. It's only 30 minutes from here." I tear up just thinking about it! I didn't know Graniti was that close and I never would have expected to get to see it. I did not even discuss it with them or tell them that I was hoping to see it or anything.
One thing is the same as North Minneapolis - it is light out and someone is letting off fireworks!
FOR THE KIDS:
I might get to go see a parade tonight and I can't wait to show you the pictures from it. Remember the volcano, Mt Etna? I can't see the top of it yet because there are clouds all around it, but when it clears up I will get to go visit and I will take a LOT of pictures for you to see! But today on the way to the airport I saw lava rock! Remember how I told you that lava comes down the side of the mountain? Several years ago the lava came all the way down to the town and then the lava got hard and turned into big huge rocks! I will take a picture sometime, but the car was going too fast today. The cars go so fast here, I want to put on five seatbelts! :)
Love and miss you all!
Karise