Easily 12 years in the making

I have always had a weird name. Well, it depends who you ask, but let's face it: the name's kind of weird. I've grown over time to quite like it, but was always jealous of my sister for having such a normal name. Why was I jealous? Because, quite simply, she could buy stuff with her name on it. No, really, that's why. I always wanted a toothbrush that said "Bari" or a pad of paper that said "From the desk of Bari." I never had a little card that said what my name meant or what it's origin was because, again, quite simply, my name is made up.

So when I was in the latter part of elementary school and found out that there was a brand of cheese called "Bari", I was very impressed. This lead to a little bit of research and the discovery that there is actually a town in the south of Italy called Bari. It also lead to the decision that I would visit there someday, even if I were old and grey by the time I could.

I'm not old and grey, but I can now say that I have visited my town. I feel awesome about it. To have had a goal for so long and to say that I have accomplished what I set out so long ago to do... it's great. I took many, many pictures of random things that said "Bari" on them, I walked along the waterfront with a smug smile on my face that no one except Katie could understand. I visited the Bari Castle and found out that Santa Claus' remains are buried there; well, St. Nicolas' remains at least. And I bought Bari merchandise. That's right, they had merchandise. Not a whole ton like one would find in New York, Paris, or Berlin, but some. I have a few postcards with my name on them, a couple of sweaters and a few other things that I shall keep secret as some of them are gifts. Actually, I was saved by the fact that Bari has a soccer team, because everything I bought (with the exception of the postcards) are from the team.

So, now I guess I have to come up with a new long-term goal, eh?

Katie and I left Bari yesterday and took the train to Rome. And that is where I sit. We stay here for about another week, leaving on Wednesday the 29 to go back to Munich. I don't have much to say in the way of Rome. It's nice from what we've seen so far. Our hotel is well situated. The weather is really having a hard time making up it's mind; rain, sun, rain, clouds, bleh. Okay, I should see if I can access Beartracks now. I doubt I can because the UofA doesn't put a lot of thought into things, and I think I can't access it from a browser at an internet cafè. We'll see, I guess. Ciao!!