Hello All-

I'm blogging from Oxford, England where I am stranded due to the continually erupting Icelandic volcano.   When this erupted 200 years ago - it did so for at least a year.  There is also discussion about the neighboring volcano erupting as well.  Needless to say - plane dependent travelers are at the mercy of the skies and the prognosis is NOT good.  My most darling husband spent hours on the phone and online and managed to miraculously procure me a seat on the train out of London and to Marseilles, France Sunday 4/18.  From there I have several other trains to get to Rome.  I currently have a flight from Rome directly to the US on Wednesday, 4/21.   My plea to anyone and everyone is to send good wishes, good karma, prayers, hope, whatever your preference in the direction of me and all those other stranded travelers here in the UK.  Of course specific prayers that the skies in Rome stay clear so that I can get home on Wednesday I would especially appreciate.  :)

I am trying to make the best of this dreadful situation and will be seeing a friend for dinner in London tonight and visiting my host family in La Spezia, Italy on Monday night.  I figure if I do get stranded here indefinitely -- Italy is the place to be.

Thank you everyone!

Katie