Luggage

In keeping with my determination to live life boldly and with purpose (my new mantra, I think), I purchased a HUGE bag for traveling and chose bright orange as its color. How cool is that? I looked for the past few days. There are just too many choices. Did I want a molded, traditional suitcase that was one large chasm inside? Perhaps a duffel bag that had wheels for ease of movement. Maybe a soft sided suitcase with pockets inside and little areas for shoes and stuff like that. After stopping by various stores and retracing my steps to compare one store's choices to another's, I chose a burnt orange High Sierra drop bottom, expandable wheeled duffel. It's pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Should hold everything I need. I may rethink my decision to purchase a large duffel when I'm trying to manuever it from plane to train to taxi or bus, but for now, I'm quite pleased with myself.

I learned today that my computer and cell phone adapters are both universally compatible for 110/240v, which means that I don't have to bother with a step down converter to change European 240v to our 110v. I discovered this all by myself by simply reading the chargers. Am I smart, or what? Who'd'a thunk? Also, because I still have everything from the camera that I lost in England, I checked and found that the battery charger that goes with that is also universally compatible. (Don't know why I checked that, but I did.) Oh, and speaking of cameras...... you'll never guess....... okay, you guessed. It really wasn't that difficult - I can't find mine. I had a camera for a couple of years before I bought my cool Canon Powershot last year and, when I lost my Canon on the hillside in England, I went back to using my Panasonic Lumix. It's an okay camera that does a reasonable job of capturing scenes. It uses AA batteries that need changed, literally, every few hours, but it did the job. Well, lo and behold!, I can't find it. AARRGGHH. I'm giving it a week and if I don't find it, I'll have to get another one. I don't look forward to dealing with that because it will be difficult for me not to splurge and get the identical one that I lost. I do hope I find my Lumix. I won't buy a new camera if I have an acceptable one. But if I have to shop........ well, I am a woman, you know.

Language Lessons

Ciao! I received my little italian language lessons today from Amazon.com. I hope to be able to learn enough to get by. Isn't it wonderful that most European countries have a large percentage of citizens that speak english? How would I be able to function if no one understood me? Hmmmm, come to think of it, I've lived in the USA all of my life, english is my native language, and most people here don't understand me!! Wonder why that is!! Maybe I'll fare better abroad. I also have been looking for luggage. Ever since our last trip to Brazil (I think it was about 7 years ago) I only use carry-on luggage. I don't like checking bags simply because I like to head out of the airport as soon after landing as possible. It has served me well in the past because most of my trips have been only one week or ten days at the most. I don't think a carry-0n will suffice for an overseas two week trip, so I'm going to bite the bullet and get a large bag to check in at the airport. Besides, if I still pack lightly, there'll be room to bring home all the wonderful treasures I plan to find. Oh, yea! I'll keep you posted on how that's going. Arrivederci!

Capena

Here's the web address of the property I've rented for my stay in Italy.
Thought you might like to give it a little peek.
http://www.casacapena.com/4.html I just got confirmation for the dates I requested, so I guess it's official. My airline tickets are non-refundable and I've already paid for the flat. No backing out now. The landlady has been very helpful with train and bus schedules as well as suggestions. She's even having someone meet me at the train (I take a train from Rome to Monterotondo) to help with luggage and the taxi ride the rest of the way. So thoughtful.

Mom

We had Mom's memorial service today. She specifically instructed that we not have one, but so many people cared about her that it wouldn't have been right to not give them an opportunity to say good-bye. It turned out quite nice in spite of the fact that I had no idea how to put one together. I think she would have been pleased. It was simple and unpretentious. Just like her. I miss her a lot. I realized today that I no longer have a person who has loved me unconditionally my entire life. In spite of all the wierdnesses in my childhood, I always knew she loved me. It sort of gives life meaning, I think.

Oct.28

Today is my mom's memorial service. I'm not sure how I feel about it because she was pretty specific that she didn't want any service. Ken felt that there were people that cared for her that would like to pay their respects. We're keeping it very simple -- just a couple of pictures of her, a short message, and giving an opportunity for anyone to speak that wants to.

When I made the decision yesterday to go to Italy, I picked up my phone to call her before I realized she's not there. I know she'd be encouraging and excited for me. Though I'm so grateful that we had an opportunity to say all that we wanted to and do the things she wanted, I'm selfish and I want her to be here and healthy. She is finally free from that old body that was such a hinderance to her.

Traveling on Life's Journey

As I contemplate life without my mother and an upcoming trip to Italy, I feel the need to record thoughts, experiences, and ideas here for others to share. Join me as I begin a new season in my life. I guess this would be the beginning of the autumn of my life. (I'm being optimistic and not labeling it winter!) Autumn is a time of bold colors and I determine to live boldly, with purpose. So, that being the theme, I am boldly learning to blog. A new venture. As with everything I try, I know I will "skin my knees", but I will get up and keep learning.

I booked a flight to Italy for next month and will spend 2 weeks in a little village called Capena. This historical town is about 45 minutes from Rome and I plan to rent a tiny little "house" for the duration of my stay. I don't speak the language, so the thought of 2 weeks not talking to anyone is a bit daunting, hence this blog. I'll talk to you -- will that be alright? I have ordered a basic Italian language course from Amazon.com in hopes that I can, at least, find a bathroom, hail a taxi, learn the bus routes, and maybe eat occasionally. Okay, I will eat more than occasionally. I'm wondering just how much Italian this old gal can learn in such a short time, but, hey, gotta give it a try. This trip was, of course, an impulse decision. That's how I roll and it usually works out well -- usually.

Thanks for beginning my journey with me. I'm open to suggestions for my blog, so journey along with me.