Saturday evening, at 9:30 pm, I will be sitting on a plane that will take off for Rome.
Rome, ITALY.
Right now, this very second, I have 100 euros burning a hole in my wallet.
I’ve invested money in brushing up my Italian, and in fashionable clothes.
Tomorrow, I’m going to dig out my converter, and have my mail held for 2 weeks.
(TWO WEEKS!!)
I feel so jetsettery.
Q: How did you learn to speak Italian, TK?
A: In bed.
Earlier this evening, a cousin-in-law (who knows how some of these people are related! I just hug everyone at wakes) spoke to me in Italian because he knows my scholarly background. I responded, and in fact it turned out I had a lot to say. Boy did it feel good to push those words out, their singsongy rhythm making me feel like some sort of open-mike performer.
Also, did I tell you that I’ve rented a damn castle in Umbria with some friends for the first week of my vacation? Technically, we’ll be staying in Villa Pianesante on the Todi Castle estate. I just legitimately used the words “estate” and “castle.” Cool.
Also, did I tell you that I’ve rented a flat in the centro storico of Bologna for the second week of my trip? Bologna is in Emilia-Romagna, the region of the country considered to offer the finest examples of Italian cuisine.
Q: Did I pack stretchy pants?
A: NO.
Who’s more excited for me than I am? NO ONE.
Who thinks I’m going to meet a rich Italian bachelor and finally attain my dream of living in Italy and training for marathons on the hills of Le Marche? NO ONE.
It’s good we’re all on the same page.
Also: no work for TWO WHOLE ENTIRE WEEKS. I will be WITHOUT BLACKBERRY. I’m a little dizzy.
I know I’m having a cheese-tasting lunch at a cheese makery (farm? factory? um?) on Monday. Saturday I have to catch a train to Bologna from Orvieto. But beyond that? NO PLANS.
Well, that’s not entirely true. I have plans. I plan to layabout. I plan to read. I plan to gaze at the hills and the cypress trees. I plan to somehow talk to strangers, so I can practice my Italian. I plan to not give into this fear that’s poking a bony finger into the timid part of my soul. I’ll write postcards, use Maria’s iPad, sit in the sun, wander along cobbblestone streets, and reabsorb Italy into my psyche.
Who wants a postcard?
Pigtails Flying 
Fun post! Have a great trip – hope you will be posting on it!
Sounds like a great holiday TK. Hope there are no Blackberry withdrawal symptoms. Enjoy, and yes, a digital postcard would be much appreciated.
pick me pick me! I want a postcard Xoxo
Oh, that sounds like a fabulous trip. Have a great time!
P-card, e-card, whatever–definitely sign me up. Have a great trip!
Avere un meraviglioso viaggio TK! Postcard, per favore!
Now THAT makes me jealous. Cheese, food wine, sun, Italy. All sounds wonderful. I haven’t had a 2 week vacation since my marriage/honeymoon 16 years ago, much less a total de-stresser like that!
Yes, postcard…. or barrel of redwine… or Sergio… or whatever. Envisioning you sitting at a cobblestone streetside cafe with a glass of red soaking up the sun….Enjoy! 🙂
La dolce vita.
Oh my world, that sounds like SO much fun! One day I hope to visit Italy. I can’t wait to hear how your trip goes. Have fun!
This is a HEAVENLY itinerary! Enjoy every beautiful moment!