Arrivederci, Italy— For Now!

We got home less than 24 hours ago—10:30 pm, which was 4:30 am in Italy.

I’m taking it easy today—catching up on time (don’t want to call it jet lag), reacquainting myself with the home, grocery shopping, and cooking (I made a pot of soup). All the while, I was reminiscing about the magical trip to Italy I had taken with my family and great friends for the last two weeks. There is a HUGE check mark on my bucket list of life: to rent a villa in Tuscany and explore the area of Florence and Siena, along with a few smaller hill towns in the valleys of the region, and of course, Rome.

This whole travel bug that takes over my body is never lost on me while taking each adventure as it comes. I am beyond greatful to be able to drink in the outstanding scenery, try my tongue with the local foods and wines, and also use that same tongue to try out the simple social graces and greetings in any shop or restaurant that I cross the threshold. A big ole smile helps!

Thirty years ago, I stayed in hostels and used (purchased) a Rick Steves Eurail Pass to see some of the same places this time around. Those 2000-year-old antiquities (like the Roman Coliseum and the Forum) haven’t changed one bit in my eyes.

Stories are percolating in my head, and some are written out longhand in my journal to share as the month unfolds. I’ll still be working on Joy Ride Journeys, but I will write my blog posts in this space to share.

I can’t help but go back to Tuscany in my mind, though. It is a land of crossroads where history, art, and nature collide in the most magnificent ways—light and dark, sweet and savory, rolling inlands with soaring cypress trees that practically touch the clouds, and ancient walled cities that are unbelievably awe-inspiring. My photos look fake! The marble used in so many places, such as on walls and floors, still gleams and seems robust, with millions of people walking across, at least on the floors. Oh, and I touched many of those floors (and walls and stone) since I’m so tactile.

The pace of the trip was fast for the first week (it included the trip to Rome). The second week slowed way down to savor the moments and sit for a spell without getting to the next thing.

Pasta, Piazzas, Peroni, People, Planes (like an Airbus A380 we drove home from Munich to Dulles - IAD), and the town of Poggibonsi, where we rented the Villa Vada, were all Palatial and Phenomenal!

One more thing, there are only 10 airlines in the world that operate the big honker planes, AKA, Airbus A380, and I was thrilled my guys could travel on one with Lufthansa, smooth as silk the entire route! Landing is a dream, too. The first time I flew one was on Emirates to the Middle East and Ethiopia. They are as big as a city!

Caio! Caio!

Goodbye for now, Italy!

Terri

Terri, Ryan, and Bill - Florence, Italy