Last week in Italy for now

Bus Ride

I am back in Aviano before leaving this Friday to fly to Edinburgh.  It is bittersweet to be leaving Aviano and friends in this area. Debbie has been a treasured friend without whom this “sabbatical” would not be possible.  This time I had to travel on the bus the last leg of returning to Aviano. Debbie picked me up in Pordenone since the rental companies at the airport would not let me rent with just a paper replacement license.  (wallet with license has not turned up).

Another good friend, Liz, took me the next day to a local car rental and helped me rent a car for the week with just paper documents.  It helped that she owns the building they are renting! No matter where – it is always who you know! 

I have gone to the movies (Crazy Rich Asians -great), had a wonderful birthday celebration with Debbie and the Nothstine's, played bingo and just relaxed my last week here.

Today, I was able to go to the Italian hairdresser (they really know how to cut hair), get repacked for winter months, have lunch with a friend, take items to store at Debbie’s until December (a huge help), had a late afternoon going away prosecco with old book club group that are Italians or married to Italians, and turned in my car.  Heather Nothstine, a friend,   graciously agreed to take me to the VCE express bus in Pordenone in the morning.

I mostly want to stop today and give thanks for the journey that brought me here.  I have so much gratitude to all those who have made my journey possible, my cousin and his wife who are getting my mail and attending to anything that comes up, my sister and brother-in-law who are always there for anything I want to do, my dear friends who give me unfailing support, and my family who tries to understand my love of travel, and of course, the Matthews who are taking care of my house while theirs is being built.

Sometimes it feels longer, and sometimes much shorter, but I have been away about 2.5 months.  I have had time to read, think, clean up my computer, and try to make sense of what I really value and how I may want to spend my future time.  I am not nearly finished with this journey of mine, but the free time to “just be in the moment” has already been worth the effort and time away.

View of mountains in Aviano

My Desiree Hotel with pastry bar next door

I saw a quote I liked, “Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time.” Hannah Arnedt