I'm so fortunate to 'have' to go to Italy every May. Between my recent trips to Italy, I have spent a full month there out of the last 12 months. I am starting to feel at home in Rome, as I have learned the streets in the neighborhoods around the Vatican and Piazza Novona. I had to go out by myself one day to buy a bottle of wine for mass and while it wasn't completely comfortable, it wasn't scary to venture out to a local grocery store. I found some awesome olive oil and a bottle of Montefalco, our favorite Italian wine, to bring home for Jack. It felt surprisingly normal to hit a store by myself in Rome. We usually advise folks not to venture out alone but hey, do as I say, not as I do. LOL.
During this trip, I truly adjusted to local time, too. When we were there for two weeks last fall, I definitely adjusted - but I usually do not really adjust in a week. This year was different; I keep waking up at 1 a.m., starving for espresso and crusty bread! I'm crazy tired as well and since I worked about 190 hours last week, I didn't think anyone would mind if I worked from home today. This week is my last lull before full-on crazy sets in again. June is horrific, travel-wise. I think I'm on the road about 15 scheduled days already (out of 23 working days in June) and I'm sure it will increase as another meeting or two are added. At least my June mileage check will be able to pay for my car payment - probably through the end of 2016! My doctoral program starts next Monday. I tuned into an orientation podcast earlier (seriously, a podcast) and I'm nervous about this degree. It still feels overwhelming and everyone I've talked to about the program says it's quite onerous. I have to submit my grades to my board chair so the pressure's really on to achieve A's. Despite my nerves and lacking confidence in this new coursework, I set a crazy goal to try for valedictorian of my class. I realize that's pretty arrogant, considering the company I will be in, but why not try? I was near the top of my first master's but barely graduated Magna Cum Laude with the second degree. Some of those classes were so damn hard, especially when I was working 70+ hours a week in ops. While my travel is rough right now, I do have lulls every now and then. I figure it's a commendable goal; gotta dream it before you can make it happen.
The other thing I'm recovering from is what feels like a third degree sunburn. Jack and I took yesterday off as PTO and after eating beautiful Caprese salads, sat outside for about an hour and a half. It was so nice out; it didn't even occur to me to lather on the SPF. Stupid, stupid, idiotic mistake. I can barely walk - my legs and chest are so burned. I'm radiating more heat than a metal workers' furnace...in July...on the surface of the sun.
We had some similar weather in Rome - 72 and sunny with low humidity. There is a great little wine bar right behind our hotel and between that place and the stunning courtyard of our hotel (that also has a wine bar), I logged a lot of time outdoors during downtime. Not that my downtime was frequent but it was so nice to sit outside and listen to the leaves of the trees rustle in the breeze. Rome is very noisy; loud police sirens scream by what seems like every few minutes. The seagulls are huge and apparently evolved to make pterodactyl sounds. Morning bird sounds ranged from a sweet chirping to what sounded like a pissed off monkey. But somehow, the breeze masks some of those sounds.
This group was hysterical with lots of jokes throughout the week. On Monday, I took ten of them up to the cupola at St. Peter's - the view is stunning and you can see the seven hills of Rome. It's 512 steps or something. To reach the top, you have to use handrails that millions of people (literally) have touched. I would love to swab those handrails to see what types of bugs live on those surfaces. My point is that your hands feel and smell disgusting after that climb. One of the pilgrims, atop the roof of St. Peter's Basilica, found a Rosemary plant. He crushed some Rosemary between his palms and then turns to another one of the pilgrims, thrusting his hands in his face, says "Smell my hands!" The rest of the group was like, "Heck no, are you crazy!?"
We had a pilgrim on this trip from the Jewish faith tradition. He won "quote of the trip" when he said, "I did not sweat during the climb to the cupola but I broke into a cold sweat when trying to pick out a rosary for my wife to have blessed by the pope!" For not being Christian, this particular individual was an extremely good sport about our Church-centric trip.
Our program coordinator loves veal and we had veal four times on the trip. An under-the-breath quote was often "I wonder how the veal will be prepared tonight" versus "I wonder what's for dinner."
This trip was different in that I was constantly connected but the Internet was like that of 1996. Wifi worked when it wanted (It was acting very "Italian" in that way) but my cell coverage was wonderful. In prior years, cell coverage was not good and it was impossible to text or email while traveling around the city. This year, it was actually easier to stay on cell coverage and not even bother at the hotel with their Italian wifi. I just hope I don't get a $3945 bill from Verizon.
Even in Assisi, I had decent cell coverage. Oh, Assisi. After spending 8 days there last fall, the place feels like home to me. I remember the major streets and know where the landmarks are. I know who has the best gelato and where to find the best olive wood utensils. I know where to get Italian leather. I know where the free bathrooms are located.
I need to go back to Assisi. This trip made me realize that instead of going back for our vacation in 2018, we're going next year We are going to rent a house in Umbria and relax, Italian style, for two weeks.
#goodwine
#goodfriends
#goodlife
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