burn
the maps,
we don’t care.
adventure
is not found
in between
the boundaries
of cartography.
it’s a discovery
by those young
and old
with worn out soles,
who have bravely lost
themselves
in the great act
of living passionately.
(Source: thedustdancestoo)
I’ve been here in Italy for a week now. People ask me how it is and find myself replying with an inordinate number of superlatives, exclamation points, and smilies. :D I am enjoying myself immensely. The rather curious thing is that when asked what I’ve been up to, it’s a list of relatively mundane activities… the simple living of life. But for me, the quiet excitement bubbles up again when I can add onto the end of that “in Italy!” I mean, it doesn’t hurt that “life” here includes a view of the Alps from under my eaves, a castle as the landmark for our road, driving steep, cobbled, village streets barely wide enough for a single car, long weekend lunches at rowing clubs or in the back garden complete with wine and finishing esspresso, or a mothers and daughters “apericena” (pronounced ah-per-i-ch-ay-na) - the wonderful Torino custom of a light buffet free with your evening cocktail or glass of wine enjoyed on the piazza.
As a somewhat-experienced traveler, I know that culture shock exists. As wonderful as I’m finding it here now, some frustration will surely creep in — it’s not a country known for making things easy. However, at the moment, I am blissfully in the first, euphoric stage…
Speaking of euphoria, that has not lasted so long in regards to my little charge - C. Not that she’s a problem, but merely that almost-six-year olds have a way of pulling you into real life at their mad dash pace. We’ve already had our little tests of each other’s limits and no doubt there will be more, but over-all we have gotten along swimmingly. She’s a very bright and sweet-hearted girl who likes to pretend she’s a puppy and race the clock to put on her pajamas. I foresee some challenge in the area of pouting, but as an only child, I’d say it’s a fairly mild case. ;)
Well, I spent a lot of the evening strolling so I shall attempt to tuck myself into bed here under the eaves of my attic a mite earlier than usual. C. is on holiday tomorrow because Good Friday so we’ve got the whole day together before the fam heads down to Nonna’s in Sicily for the weekend. I think there’s some “Dog Train” in our future — perfecto!
Ciao, A. xoxoxme.
