“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” – Anna Akhmatova
It had been three years since we’d last been in Italy. On our first trip, just before the pandemic, we traveled to Milan, Florence, Venice, and Rome. We fell in love with italy! When travel restrictions lifted, we simply had to return. This time we visited southern Italy and Sicily. Here are 4 reasons to love Italy:
#1 The Scenery
The Mediterranean as seen from our hotel room in Taromina.
Vineyard on Mt. Etna
A glimpse of the Mediterranean
You are in a dream world with breathtaking views at each turn. Everywhere you look you see shades of umber, cinnamon, cream, turquoise, olive. The sunlight is golden. It’s as if you are living in a movie set.
Venice
Tuscan Villa
The Arno River in Florence
#2 The Food and Wine
“Life is too short to eat and drink badly” says the sign on our table in Amalfi.
There’s a trip in my future. Though not a travel newbie, I’m always looking for ways to improve my experience, especially in packing. For this post, I have assembled a team of experts to help alleviate my suitcase insecurity. Here’s what they have to say:
Expert #1
RS is widely known for his travel books and videos. In the videos, we see RS sprinting all around Europe with a carry-on sized backpack. With this slung across his shoulders, there is no need to check luggage, and he nimbly hops on and off planes, busses, trains and taxis. In one episode, he dumped the contents on the bed in his hotel room and showed the audience what he packs: 2 pairs of slacks (jeans and a lighter khaki pair…. one he wears and one he packs) 3 shirts, a light sweater, a rain jacket, socks and underwear, and a small bag of toiletries. He wears his only pair of shoes. He describes methods for washing your clothes in the hotel room, including using a 2-gallon zip-lock bag and a squirt of laundry detergent or the hotel shampoo to create a mini washing machine. That explains how he gets by on such a limited wardrobe. I like the idea of traveling light and picutured myself squishing socks and undies around in a sudsy ziplock bag in the hotel bathroom, rinsing, then hanging them on the towel racks and shower curtain rod. Hmmm…
Nope, won’t fit in a backpack…
Inspired by RS, I spread my proposed travel wardrobe out on my bed. At last count I had 9 tops (because you need sleeveless, short sleeves, long sleeves) 4 pairs of slacks (yoga pants for the plane, joggers, cropped pants in black and khaki) a sweater, a jacket, an umbrella, socks and underwear, 3 small clear bags of toiletries ( 3 oz. or less) a pair of sandals. a swimsuit, and a packable sun hat. Sorry RS. It will not fit in a backpack. I need some further advice.
When each of our grandchildren turn 10, Ed and I take them on a “Decade” trip (AKA “Skip-Gen” trip, no parents allowed) We choose this age because, according to the AARP article that inspired us, 10-year-olds can take care of themselves (mostly), have fairly flexible schedules, and are still eager to do things with their grandparents. Six summers ago we took our first decade trip with Michaela, and if you follow my blog you will remember the trip we took last summer with our special needs granddaughter Melanie.The RV Adventure Begins
This summer it was Lillian’s turn to celebrate her first decade of life . She is a bright, fun-loving girl who, as it turns out, is a savvy traveler. (Check out her hilarious travel-tips here: Travel Tips From a Ten-Year Old) Several years ago, we started a National Park Passport for Lillian, so her Decade trip was centered around the theme of National Parks and Monuments.
The Grand Canyon
Our trip began with a train ride from Williams, AZ to the Grand Canyon. The two-hour train ride takes you directly to the village at the South Rim. (If you have a National Park Pass, the park entrance fee is deducted from your ticket price) There are several packages to choose from, but we found the day trip was perfect for an introduction to the Canyon.
First glimpse
The first glimpse of the Canyon takes your breath away! We walked on the paved pathway around the rim, then went to the visitor’s center so Lillian could get her Jr. Ranger Booklet. We enjoyed lunch in the Canyon Room at the historic El Tovar Inn. Travel Tip: If you plan to eat at the Inn, make reservations ahead of time.
Lillian looks over her Jr Ranger book, while Ed peruses the menu.
(sometimes)
I am turquoise
confident, creative
shining brilliant,
reflecting
sonoran sky
caribbean sea
(sometimes)
I am gray
silent, solitary
suspended in space
between
black and white
gathering thoughts
for turquoise days
What is Writer’s Block
Some call it “writers block,” for me it’s more of a lack of inspiration, low energy, self-doubts I call them my gray days. Whatever it is, these dry spells are concerning for me. Negative thoughts creep in and that internal nagging voice seizes the opportunity to taunt me: you are a bad speller, no one will think your writing is interesting, there are better uses for your time, it’s too much work…
Moving Through Writer’s Block
What do you do when you experience a block to your creativity? First of all, don’t panic. It happens to all writers and other artists. Here are 4 things I’ve found to be helpful during gray days.
It happened again. I’ve been retired from teaching for four years and I thought I was over it. But there I was, frozen in the “Back to School” aisle in Target. Dr. Seuss pencils, Welcome Back banners, calendars, pencil cups, plastic totes, color coordinated planners, notebooks, and file folders shouted “Pick me! Pick me!” Imagine the possibilities! My heart raced and my husband had to drag me away.
Happy New Year!
For those of us who have been teaching most of our lives, the New Year doesn’t start on January 1. It begins in August on the first day of school.
I always loved getting my room ready and set up for the new school year. I convinced myself that the right combination of room arrangement and color coordinated organizational gadgets would start the year off right. My energy level peaked in the weeks before school started as I moved tables and chairs around, set up the fish aquarium, and prepared eye catching bulletin boards. Like a marathon runner, I burst out of the starting gate with a well-organized room, eager to meet and greet my new class. Now my energy rush is building but it has nowhere to go.
Getting my “fix”
I begged my friend to let me come in and help her set up her room.
She let me put nametags on cubbies and coat hooks, organize her classroom library, and help hang a string of decorative lights to add just the right touch to the front of her room. I was in heaven. For a brief time, I was back in my element. I could still do this, I thought as I drove home. I could!
Reality hit as I pulled out of the parking lot and glanced at the school in my rearview mirror. I was reminded of a sign I saw at the hairdressers (of all places.)
Don’t look back, you’re not headed that way.
New Horizons
I will always honor my past as an educator, but I’m not going that way. I’m living life on my own terms, on my own timetable now, traveling and spending unhurried time with family and friends and exploring new horizons as a sewist and a writer.
Retirement suits me.
School-Supply Obsessed?
But still… crayons for fifty cents?!!!
Lord, keep me away from Target right now!
Threads of Thought
My heart goes out to teachers, administrators, students, and parents as they face what looks to be yet another challenging year. Be kind. Stay safe. Do amazing things against all odds. I know you will. You always do.
Read more about my school supply obsession and my transition to retirement in: Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
