We're back.
Yesterday, I unpacked 3 of 4 bags, and did 10 loads of laundry (6 from sheets, towels and beach towels of our three sets of house/dog sitters). Ego was very happy to see us, and especially liked it when he saw luggage go out of sight.
All of our foodie treasures made it home intact (olive oil, wine, honey, 00 flour, cherry balsamic glaze, and vino cotto).
Other than being happy to see the dog, our hearts are completely still in Italy. Brad worked all day Thursday, and I saw just one client. He hated driving on a California freeway. The temperature is hovering between 109-113 degrees F. My whole house needs to be mopped. We had pasta last night for dinner. My ankles are swollen. We are not good at re-entry.
My goal this weekend is to go back and finish blogging our last day in Umbria, and our four wonderful days in Rome. Be patient with me. Jet lag on the return is NOT my strong suit. And the coffee here sucks!
While we are home, our brains, hearts and souls are still in a piazza in Rome. I am counting the months until I return (10). I am thinking and dreaming in Italian. I miss the sunflowers in Umbria. I miss good coffee. I miss the food. I miss...EVERYTHING.
Brad just said, with tears in his eyes, "Maybe Italy is home, and this place where we try to "live Italian", is just the place where we are until we can go back HOME." That pretty much covers it for me too.
Our "happy place":
Comments (17)
"Maybe Italy is home, and this place where we try to "live Italian", is just the place where we are until we can go back HOME."
Amen. And now I have a big lump in my throat. I think I'll go smell my basil plant and try to make it better:)
Posted by Rebecca | July 17, 2009 11:21 AM
Posted on July 17, 2009 11:21
Welcome home - I missed you!
Good luck with re-entry. We arrived home almost two weeks ago and I am still struggling, it is so hard to let go of Italy.
Sheena
Posted by Sheena | July 17, 2009 11:47 AM
Posted on July 17, 2009 11:47
I sympathize and know well how you are feeling about Italy. I'm in a funk and counting the days back also.
Posted by Ida | July 17, 2009 12:29 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 12:29
Palma, that's exactly how I feel! I've been back for 3 weeks and still deep in my post-trip funk. And I'm still having trouble drinking my own coffee.
But your Happy Place photo is very beautiful.
And at least we have our dreams of Home!
Posted by sandrac | July 17, 2009 1:48 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 13:48
Sounds like you had such a wonderful trip. Welcome home, and I look forward to reading more about your trip.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | July 17, 2009 2:00 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 14:00
Isn't re-entry into "real life" after Italy just so depressing? I totally get how you feel. Writing about your experiences and editing photos helps a bit but until my next flight to Italy is booked, it's hard to let go of that feeling of missing "home."
Great photo of you and Brad!
I will look forward to reading about the rest of your trip.
Posted by colleenk | July 17, 2009 3:23 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 15:23
Palma, what a great picture of you and Brad, and the happiness shines through.
I say my home is in Italy and I'm in the States on vacation!
Posted by Gail Hecko | July 17, 2009 4:44 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 16:44
I feel your pain! I think Brad said it perfectly.
Well, welcome back anyway.(sigh)
Posted by ColleenC | July 17, 2009 4:48 PM
Posted on July 17, 2009 16:48
Palma & Brad, welcome back. Keep it alive with your blog and your dreams of your next visit. I've been enjoying all of your entries.
Posted by Terry (teaberry) | July 18, 2009 1:34 AM
Posted on July 18, 2009 01:34
Welcome home-I feel your pain!
Posted by janie | July 18, 2009 3:08 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 15:08
Welcome home! I know you would rather still be in Italy, and I don't blame you. Guess you will have to start a countdown to the next trip to ward off the Italy blues.
Posted by nancyhol | July 18, 2009 10:59 PM
Posted on July 18, 2009 22:59
Palma Welcome Home and thank you for the entries you made while you were on the road. As ever, a true joy to experience Italy through your eyes. Reentry it a terribly difficult thing. How can you not feel sad when so much of your heart is left somewhere else?
Posted by Barb Cabot | July 19, 2009 7:33 AM
Posted on July 19, 2009 07:33
I hear ya dear! I've been home a month and still have withdrawals. I'm counting down the weeks and months to return. I dream of Italy every night!
Posted by Deb R | July 19, 2009 9:34 AM
Posted on July 19, 2009 09:34
I know that feeling so well!
Does it help to have all this company?
Posted by jgk | July 20, 2009 9:39 AM
Posted on July 20, 2009 09:39
Yes, Jan, and everyone...
It DOES help to have friends who GET IT.
Posted by Palma | July 20, 2009 10:37 AM
Posted on July 20, 2009 10:37
Oh Palma, Brad's quote made me tear up! I know you are both so at home in Italy. Maybe sometime in the future you can move there? You can be an English-language therapist for other expats!
Posted by Chiocciola | July 26, 2009 6:54 PM
Posted on July 26, 2009 18:54
A belated welcome home! I can relate.
I had a difficult entry back also. I have not been able to bring myself to drink coffee since I have returned. I have been drinking tea instead - not the same.
I enjoyed reading about your trip to Italy. Sounds like your Umbria Trip was a big success.
I have been a very bad blogger since returning. So much still to blog about from my trip. I figure it will keep me busy for at least a year!
Posted by girasoli | August 1, 2009 6:46 PM
Posted on August 1, 2009 18:46