Just a Month.....

Boy, does it seem longer than that! But, yes, it was August 19 that we left lovely Montepulciano and many hours later reentered the US. Why is it that time rushes by so much more quickly while traveling? It does, doesn't it? I am certain this is a truth that remains elusively improvable.

So, do we miss Italy so soon? Yes, of course, we do. Some of the reasons are quite predictable—food, beauty, people, history, art, ambiance, evocative drives, archeological wonders. Any one who ever sets foot in that country comes away with the same list. Maybe even arm-chair travelers share the feelings.

And, of course, these are things we miss. I suspect a day does not go by that we do not share some memory or some future hope.

However, there are other, less predictable reasons to rather be there than here.

• No nightly news in English
• Well, a lot of no TV
• The ability to forget that things are going on "back home" and live accordingly
• No workouts at the gym (which I hate--passionately)
• A simpler life because most responsibilities have been left behind
• No bizarre political stuff--well, there is Berlusconi
• No talk of Bridges to Nowhere
• Not much going with the phone
• No yard work
• Escapism from the realities of what is happening here
• More time to read
• No Bush, No McCain, NO palin or, I can forget them for a while, at least
• Get-togethers with firends who are in Italy at the time we are--friends from around the world
• The day's fresh catch available in the piazza
• Rich, golden-yellow eggs
• Tomatoes of many varieties--red, ripe and lush
• Pastries--delicious
• White roads--a real favorite
• Whispering borgos
• If you can add to the list, leave a comment or two

Added by Harriet-thanks, Harriet.

• restaurants where they treat you like family
• Fruit and vegetables with flavor
• all of the little local festivals

And, last night I made reservations for next summer—since we like to upgrade we need to make plans early. But…tickets are so costly now that the days of frequent, at will travel are over. The world may be getting smaller but access to it is getting harder. What a shame this is.

Next summer we fly into Nice and spend 11 days with a friend who will take us to his home country of Morocco. We are really looking forward to that and Casey can’t wait to ride a camel. After that we will be in Tuscany for 5 weeks.

We will be back ten and a half months after leaving and as Casey said this morning—I want to be in Italy.