Monday, October 17, 2011

leaving home

                                          Rocca Grimalda, Italy                 

Tomorrow I leave for Italy--my first time abroad in many years. We will visit friends who live near the mediaeval village of Rocca Grimalda, then to another mediaeval village in the Emila Romagna region, and lastly to Tuscany. This will be a journey through lightly touristed villages, small cities, cafes, good food, and vistas. You know--la dolce vitail dolce far niente, in other words, lots of dolce.

                                                               my living room armchair

Leaving home has always been hard for me. And at some point I developed a fear of flying, which I have gradually gotten over--this trans-oceanic flight is the last big hurdle. I keep trying to be braver, less fearful, to be calm and open.

                                                              my bedroom armchair

It's time to stop being an armchair traveler. I hope to be able to dispatch a few posts, read your blogs and comment while I'm gone, but don't expect me until you see me. Ciao, my friends.


Jen

14 comments:

  1. Wow, this is so wonderful Jen! Just take a big pill and sleep your way over. Enjoy it all!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, you sure kept this one to yourself!

    I am the world's worst flyer, so I take xanax, every 3 hours.

    Then I am the world's groggiest flier. Except I don't know it.

    I hadn't flown in years till I was offered a trip to Italy.

    It was worth every moment of pre flight anxiety.

    Have a beautiful time and remember to eat as much as you want, you'll walk it all off

    Ciao.

    xo Jane

    ReplyDelete
  3. ciao bella! enjoy your holiday - take a sleeping pill on the flight . it helps : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. To take a trip for some mediaeval villages is a dream for me. Have a beautiful dream in a plane and have wonderful days in Italy.I miss your post, though.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jen,
    How exciting for you! My sister and neice went there this summer and loved it! She said it was beautiful! Since you are leaving, I'm going to tell you that I'm doing a post on Wed and awarding you with the Versitile Blogger award. Hate to spoil the surprise but I want to be sure you know. Have a great time, let us hear from you when you can!
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  6. dear dear jen....everything you've described about leaving home, fear of flying and somewhat overcoming said fear... rings true with me. i know you will have a wonderful trip.....make each place you visit your own little home for as long as you're there. that's my secret trick.
    i hope we get loads of lovely photos.
    i'm excited for you.
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jen,
    I'm a bad, bad, bad, speller! Pretend it was a test!
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh have a wonderful time in Italy! And when the holiday ends, remember your beautiful, inviting bedroom armchair waiting for you - it looks a perfectly cosy and happy reading corner.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Enjoy, Jen It will be so much fun and so interesting !!! My brother recently took my dad over to Italy for a week long visit..it was so great for my dad (80 yrs old) He couldn't stop showing everyone his many photos and talking about the food and the wine...He went to one of the pope's blessings. He love going out into the countryside the best I think and he sure loved the wine , wine , wine funny

    - KAT -
    - KAT -

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jen... Have a wonderful trip... Can't wait for you to share your adventure and photos! Safe travels.

    ReplyDelete
  11. By now you will have safely landed and be spending the day in a magical new environment, enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jen,
    Check out my post, Wed, Oct 19 for rules on the Versatile Blogger award that I gave you! Hope you are having a great time!
    Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  13. How exciting! You deserve this trip...I hope you plan on sharing MANY photos!! Have a blast!

    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow!! Have fun and take lots of pictures! I've never been out of the country.

    ReplyDelete