Contact Info

This is the very exciting post in which I give you all the gritty details about how to not feel as though I disappeared forever. I finally received my Italy SIM card, and sent in the information to get it registered, so it should be active when I get there. But first, I want to give you my physical address.

I would love to receive letters from home, even if it does take a long time to get here. Also, if you just happen to be in the area, look me up! (Just know that we are unable to house friends or family at the monastery, you'd have to stay in the town) I will be living and taking classes at:

Monastery San Paolo
Via Postierla, 20
05018 Orvieto (TR)

My email address is (subtract the periods...I don't want to get a bunch of spam for posting this) j.m.rayner@gmail.com. I will be able to check this at least once a day, I believe.

Ok...phone number...I will have use of my phone, since it's a quad-band GSM. However, because I need a new SIM card to use it, I will have a new number. But don't delete my old (American) number from your contacts, because I will be going back to that in the summer when I return.

Keep in mind as well that there might be some significant charges associated with calling me, even though you know it's worth it. Right?

There's one other important thing of which you need to be aware. I've made it more easily memorable through this Very Helpful Diagram, foregoing words and distracting artistic talent as much as possible so that it will stick in your brain. Probably setting it as your desktop wallpaper would be a positive thing, as well.

As you can see, this diagram very clearly and in no confusing way illustrates the nature of the time difference between the USA and Italy (as well as some other differences). I am a visual person, but I know that some people need things written out for them, so I'll go ahead and say that my point here is that Italy is six (6) hours ahead of North America's east coast. If you're thinking "Oh, I should call Josh right before I sit down to watch The Daily Show," that is incorrect thinking. I don't like 5am phone calls.

Ok, ok, here's the number, and some instructions on how to call me:

339-5630529.

To call this number from the US, you'll need to dial the international direct dialing prefix for the US and Canada (011), the number for Italy (39), and then my number. Like this: 011 39 3395630529. If you're calling from another country (that's not Italy), just replace the number for the US and Canada with your appropriate number (you can find those listed here). If all this doesn't actually work, complain to me and I will try to figure it out the correct way.

Unfortunately, the card I have will only work in Italy, so if I am in a different country, no dice. I don't think that will be too often, though.

2 days! Time to go start packing.