Ah, Mama Mia

We went to Baldovino tonight and were discussing going back to the States with our waiter.  He asked about the weather, and when Wynn told him the temperature in the south, his response was, "ah, mama mia!"  I received an email from work 2 days ago that said I have a meeting in Nashville July 2 and then will start working in NC July 9...mama mia! Has it already been 3 months.

As we are packing to leave Italy, I am thinking, how in the world are we going to get all of this stuff back.  But, I am also thinking about the past 3 months and how awesome it has been to have had this opportunity.  I am excited to get back and see family and friends and better plumbing and people at least attempting to move out of your way when you pass on the sidewalk and good customer service being the rule rather than the exception.  But, there are many things I will miss. Wynn and I were talking about the simplicity of life that we have experienced.

our refrigerator is the door on the left

We have not had cell phones; we have only turned the tv on to watch soccer; we go to the laundromat; we have driven a car once in 3 months (and I had it on 2 wheels at one point).  We have not totally been free of technology...we have used the heck out of the computer and iPad.  But, it has been completely refreshing to live much more simply and to realize we are just as happy.  I hope to remember when we get back to the States that, in fact, we can live without the 50-inch tv.

Things I will miss:

Vespas...I need one 

Poppin' that collar

Seeing people hanging out after work having a glass of
wine in the street

quiet alleys, away from the crowd 

flowers...people here don't have yard space
but they take pride in having any kind of
green space they can 

massive, magnificent doors everywhere 

I am looking forward to getting back to familiarity, although, ironically that is something we will miss here as well.  For instance, the gray-haired man in the pic below is there everyday having a glass of wine at the same time.  Also, we see the same people at Baldobar getting coffee or croissants.  We do not have to place an order there anymore.  Tomasso knows what we are having.  The man at the coffee shop on the way to the train station also knows we will have the usual.

Today, Tomasso made us a "special" cappuccino and marrocchino since it was our last day here.

I will miss the history and beautiful churches surrounding us.  the incredible buildings, the markets, the culture, tradition, food, wine.  the clothes hanging out to dry, the windows open, music in the streets. I have learned so much on this Italian holiday...it has made me love this place but also to have a great appreciation for the US. I think I will have more on that after we get back and I process it all a bit.  

-bn