I am increasingly aware that I am returning to the States. It's Monday...and a week from now I will be sitting in a cubicle. I don't care how you look at it---that is depressing.
Some would say, don't think about it yet. Live in the moment.
I do live in the moment; I climb castle walls, I get tattoos, I run with bottles of wine in small coastal towns, I stay up past 3:00am in Roman bars, I eat everything in sight, I jump into boats, I watch every sunset possible, I learn to navigate subways, I embrace not having a plan and praise God because no plans always leads to the best time possible, I jump into gardens and steal lemons, I ask police to take pictures with me, I close my eyes and listen to Italian men argue with each other--each word rolling out sounding like music, I get lost, I try foods that would normally repluse me, I laugh---I am always laughing.
I have a brain. It thinks (most of the time). I can't not think about going home. I can't not think about the fact that no one will be able to relate to my experiences. That my words will always fall short of the beauty that is here. That I will never able to acturately describe how the downtown streets of Napoli, filled with trash, graffiti, stray dogs, linens hanging from windows, the smells of pizzas and smoke--- have some the most friendly people you could expect to meet. I can't tell you all the reasons why I am in love with this country, but I am.
I am a proud American, but I'd rather live in Italy.
I have a full blown cold now, it sucks and I am hating my nose, throat, and head. GRRR... About to hop on a train to Catanzaro, will spend a few hours exploring, then we take a night train to Catania---where I will be getting two more tattoos!
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Holy crap, save some skin for when you get back! You, me, Jenna and Steph all need to go on a girls tattoo date!! I have mine all planned - can't wait to show you.
ReplyDeleteNo, no one here will be able to truly understand what you experienced but that's ok because this trip is for YOU and you alone! I do suspect that people will have at least an inkling of the immenseness of your experience from both your blogs and the changed person you'll be when you return.
And oh yeah, Ty and I tore down your cubicle and replaced your chair with a giant sweating block of mozzarella so you won't have to be back in your old office space.