The first two days...

We made it safely from Abilene to Bologna, although it was a long trip!

After taking an early bus to DFW airport, we went through the long check-in process for groups traveling overseas. Taking an entire wind ensemble that far requires lots of organization!

The flight from New York to Milan was approximately 8.5 hours, and the students actually got a little sleep during that time...at least some of them. We arrived at 8:10 a.m. Italy time (1:10 a.m. Abilene time) and began our first day. We traveled by bus to Cremona, where we toured the Stradivarius Museum, and then continued to our hotel in Bologna. After a wonderful dinner provided for us at the hotel, most of us went straight to sleep!

Monday took us to Venice. We took a charter bus to the port outside Venice, and took a boat to the main island and started out with a guided tour of the Doge's Palace. Then we visited St. Mark's Square and Basilica. After lunch and some gondola rides, we returned to Bologna to celebrate another great day in Italy.

Tomorrow, we meet the Mayor of Bologna and have an afternoon rehearsal to put the finishing touches on our upcoming concert for the World Conference of the International Society for Music Education.

Here are some pictures from our travels so far...















Abilene sunrise on our way to the airport. We won't see THAT again for at least a week!















Pre-flight excitement















Leaving the airport, traveling towards Milan. We're really here!




























Enjoying the exhibits at the Stradivarius Museum in Cremona





















Cathedral in Cremona
















Italian countryside on our way to Venice














On the ferry, approaching the main island of Venice





















Artistic staircase the the Doge's Palace





























Students watch a glass-blowing demonstration at the Murano workshop in Venice























































Gondola rides!
















All of us outside St. Mark's Basilica.


Everyone is adjusting well to a different time zone, different food, and different cultural practices. The greatest crisis may be the absence of Dr. Pepper anywhere in Italy (gasp!).

Check back soon to learn about our next adventures!