Next three days were in Bologna. Highlight was getting dinner with former student and friend Paul who is now living in Modena and working for the Ferrari Formula 1 racing team - how cool is that. I also realized over dinner that I've known Paul now for over 20 years - man, I'm getting old. Bologna's usually a few degrees cooler than Rome but overall the mercury kept rising so outside wasn't particularly comfortable.

Time for a trip report. Been in Bologna for a few days now but before that, we started in Rome. Now, I was correctly informed that Italy in August isn't the smartest move - it's hot - 97 degrees out as I'm writing this post. Not pleasant outside. Still, Rome was pretty awesome even if I did fade in the afternoons. Why Italy? It was Natan's choice. Having graduated right before Covid, Natan hasn't had a chance for a real vacation for years.

Lets start off with Cleveland and then we'll get to my suggestions for the CSTA. Cleveland I never had a chance to explore Cleveland before. I was actually in the city once before, for a junior national fencing competition but never saw anything other than the competition venue and the hotel. This time, I didn't have much more of an opportunity. Normally, I like heading to a conference a day or two early or stay a day or two later to check out the town but this time, schedules didn't allow it.