I’m less than a week to go, and am finding myself really stuck at the idea of going to Italy and France for 6 weeks. “Its frivolous”, is the biggest gremlin blabbering these days. My current plan is to arrive in Rome, and take the train up to Grosseto and into Vetulonia, on Nov 12th. Spend 5 glorious weeks in the Tuscan mountains, at Il Baciarino. Then on Dec 16 head to Florence, for a night, then off to Paris. I’m hoping to be aboard 1 of the 2 the Dec 21st flights out of CDG, and make it home in time for the Annual Solstice party that night.

Flying standby meant there would have been a pretty solid change that I wouldn’t be getting out of Rome the week before Christmas, so I am flying out of Paris. I also decided to strategically plan a non refundable hotel a few nights in Paris, knowing full well the guilt I was going to feel of being away for 6 weeks.

The thought to change plans and go to Italy for two weeks then fly home, for a few weeks and go back to Paris, as to not waste the hotel, did cross my mind. It’s still crossing it! Thankfully friends didn’t encourage that plan – and are continuing to lobby against that plan. I’m still flirting with that plan.

So off to Italy, and France I go. Somewhat forbidding joy, somewhat guilt ridden, somewhat resisting the excitement (circle back to foreboding joy). But, curious, and incredibly open to whatever this 40 day, adventure brings!

Abbracci a tutti