One Week from Now

One week from now at this time, we'll be on our way to Rome.

Here are some odds and ends.

Those who are leaving from Chicago and Minneapolis no doubt realize that if we were to have left today, we wouldn't have made it to Philadelphia because of the storm. There's still time to start your never-fail-weather-novena if you have not done so yet.

Do yourself a favor: check your passport tonight. Do you know where it is? Are the dates valid?

We will sing Lord of Life and King of Glory in Latin. But please study the English text also. We will also perform the piece a third lower than written; altos will appreciate this. The highest note for the women is now a "d".

Do your best to find some euros before we get to Rome. It's nice to have some euros in your pocket when you land so you can get a coffee, snack or water in the airport. You should feel safe and comfortable getting your euros from an ATM machine in Rome. We want to try to avoid having 30 people lined up in the airport withdrawing money. It feels good to get out of the airport as soon as we can.

Give your bank or credit card company a courtesy call and let them know you indeed will be using your card in Italy.

If you will be traveling with a cell phone, check in with your service provider. Let them know what you plan to do with your phone - calls, texts, emails, internet access - and they can explain procedures, safeguards and costs.

See you tomorrow....