From Kendy...

May 12, 2007 (I know I am a few days behind, but we have been experiencing technical difficulties)

Kendy here, today is exchange day and we will be leaving the B&B of Ca'Milone in Conegliano to set off to our new region of Cortina d'pazzo. We were met by the Rotary President, Renalto and Daniella, a Rotary friend who is along to help us with translation. It was about 30-40 min drive to our first stop of Longarone in the Region of Cortina. Longarone is known for the Disaster of Vajont. If you get a chance it is definetly worth a "Google"

Vajont is the story of a massive disaster which claimed the lives of half of the towns inhabitants. Including, as we were to find out, Renalto's family. After the disaster he was raised in a nearby town and has returned to Longarone to live and work as an Architech. The way that he tells the story of the disaster and the towns rebirth is so passionate and you can tell that he feels like it is his duty to tell this story so no one will forget.

This town is unbelievable and has so much history, pain, and suffering yet so much rebirth. Our host Renalto gave us a tour of the town and let us see his office. He has one of the Olympic torches fom the Torino games and was a torch carrier.

Quick stop at the hotel to drop off our things and then it is off to the next stop. We met up with another Rotary member, Olga, and toured around in the mountains, visited the museum of Tizione, the famous painter and also his family home.

After a full day we are headed back to the hotel for a quick pit stop and then more touring and dinner.

Tomorrow it is off to the DOLOMITES!!!!!!

Kendy