You know those movies about Italy? The ones with the old men smoking cigars, people standing around having casual conversations as if they have nowhere to be (like, ever), children running through the streets, men meandering down narrow roads playing the according, and tiny alley ways adorned with the morning's laundry? Yeah, I live in those movies this week.
Ahhhhhh....Italy! After at least 12 hours of travel we arrived in Sperlonga, which is in the province of Latina along the coast.
By check in time this girl was in desperate need of sleep and the weather knew it. Just as I came out from the shower, the rain began to pour. My all time favorite!
The view from the room, overlooking a walkway through town. Unfortunately, the downpour could not be captured.
First glimpse at town and it's just like you imagine!
The "road" to an amazing swordfish carpaccio and my most favorite gluten free spaghetti and tuna dinner. All followed by limoncello of course! My heart and tummy are happy as can be.
The hotel is somewhere amidst the buildings to the right.
Tiny, twisting alleys have stolen my heart. I want to walk them alllll!!!! (one guess why I took the picture here)
{sigh} those clouds! As I was capturing this, the church bells were ringing just behind me. If you need to get ahold of me, I've died. And I'm now in heaven.
After an amazing, full night of sleep (I can't remember the last time I had one of those), I set out on a run to see the town.
To the left was dinner last night, to the right was my run path. How can you not be so enamored with this place?! The vines, the colors, the streets...ahhhh!!!
The tower of something. My brain is on vacation.
Looking up towards the plaza where we had dinner last night.
Not only is this place full of character and all around cuteness, it also possesses some magical powers. Time machines. Yep, you heard me. No joke. A glimpse into my future...
The most adorable little leathered skinned Italian woman feeding at least 8 cats in her house dress. If only she knew I understood her by that ridiculous grin that was plastered across my face as I snapped her picture. And yes, I diverted my run to simply pass her.
No, really, it is straight out of the movies!
You can see the tower in the far right. Along with the Isle of Ponza, known for Lucia Rosa who threw herself to her death into the water in opposition to being forced to marry a man she did not wish to.
Just around the corner from the hotel I was wooed by the sounds of an accordion accompanied by random lyrics. Once on the balcony, cooling off from the sweaty run, he meandered through the hotel parking lot. He caught me videoing him and I immediately ran inside. He shouted for my return, only to greet me, "ciao Bella!" and began singing (if that's what you want to call it). He wanders below windows waiting for tips. Yes, this is real. I swear. I think my heart may explode.
A late lunch of seafood salad and an insalata mista was enjoyed over this...
There were a few surfers in the water...really, my heart can't take any more!
My how life can change in 6 months! Since my last melancholy post, enough life has happened to fill at least a year, perhaps even 2. The sad part is is much of it seems a blur to me as I have rushed through it all out of necessity. So many adventures, new and old friends, highs and lows...all part of my story.
I visited Disneyland with my cousins, feeling like a kid again.
I ran my third and absolute final marathon with Lacy, my friend since 3 years old...
She rocked it and I struggled tremendously. My genes (& some life circumstances) don't provide for good back health. Sadly I haven't run too terribly much since then, but I still try for my mental sanity.
That same weekend I had a wonderful visit with my Papa's 93 year old cousin, Marg who is full of life and crazy stories.
Met my baby cousin, Claire for drinks in the city. She had to buy as this slacker was without her ID, this was a first!
I started riding bikes rather than running. Breaks were plenty as were many stick walls to protect me from any roadside danger. I swear I'm 31.
An opportunity to never pass, feeding the horses.
I was accepted into Arizona State for their online nutrition program. I am over the moon happy and love the freedom of doing my work at my own pace, without having to visit a campus. This plus also freed up some time to take a second job, back at Auburn Medical Group where I had worked before starting school. Two jobs, school and a near daily commute of almost an hour one way made my plate just a little full, hence the blur.
Went to Hawaii for the first time and fell in love.
Back packed the NaPali coast for 3 days and 2 nights. It was a wee but scary, but well worth the work. Once home I found the hike listed as one of the "Top 10 Most Dangerous Hikes in the US". I can see why! There may have been a few tears.
The final destination of 11 miles out (to be hiked back also)
This was an incredibly special trip for me on so many levels, one reason being this is where my great grandmother, Isabel's ashes had been spread over 25 years ago by my uncle (on a boat, he didn't hike with her ashes). When getting to the end of the trail I was overcome with emotions. When my grandmother had passed I was too young to understand at maybe 3 years old. My mom was emotional and walked outside to find me blowing bubbles from our apartment's balcony. She had asked what I was doing and I responded, "blowing bubbles to Grandma, each one has a prayer in it." (This tradition was continued at her daughter, Shirl's celebration of life also) At the final, most beautiful destination, the beach, I stopped in my tracks as a woman about my age was blowing bubbles. Who brings bubbles that far?! Any extra weight in your bag is avoided (unless it is wine). My grandma Izzy was there. It was magical time and I of course took my Dad along and scattered him to share the space.
My favorite San Diego family came to visit and JJ Showed me his hilarious personality
This bike stuff is serious!
Saw the Amgen start in Monterey, CA
Dolphins paced me on a morning run in Santa Cruz...
This run reminded me with the force of a blow to the stomach that I long to live near the ocean. My heart is so calm and happy with the salty air, sand at my feet and the sound of waves crashing. Days after this trip I woke up with the idea that I need to move to the beach instead of continuing to dream about it for ten plus years. I only have one life to live and I may as well live it how I wish. That same day I made my plans to store my belongings, have mom watch over my fur child and to go on a grand adventure before moving. In 24 hours I made all of the arrangements and contacted my landlord to get out of my lease. Don't put an idea in my head because I won't waste any time to get it done if I like it!
June was a tough one, add moving to that list of two jobs and the start of school and I was not much fun. Many moments started to come full circle for me and show me I was headed in the right direction. The biggest of those was the passing of a long ago friend, Andy. Andy was setting off to sail from SF to Hawaii and didn't make it out of the bay. Just knowing he had set out on his lifelong dream, of epic proportions, reminded me to make my own my reality as you never know.
This also brought me back with amazing, old, comfortable friends. The kind you can openly cry with. Despite the sadness my heart was overflowing on this beautiful day in Del Mar.
I took a break from packing and studying to go to an awesome concert at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. One guess who it was?
Bruna and I
Michael Franti, Soja and Trevor Hall!
Such a beautiful night which charged me even more for my upcoming plans. So much of my travels have been inspired so far by this music, perfect timing!
Late June I left Sacramento and headed back home to mom's to ride out my remaining time working. Being back wasn't as tough as I had thought. I don't know if I could ever express my appreciation for my Mima and her love for me in words. She is my rock. Thank you, Mima.
Kingsford & Modie, Mom's African Gray.
I was blessed to get away for a weekend over the Fourth of July, back to Hawaii!
Morning run views
Quiet spots for contemplation around every corner.
The clouds here make me smile.
My last weekend in town I shared some wine with friends at my favorite local winery, Dono Dal Cielo.
This hippie heart was happy as a clam!
I finished out my time with many meals shared with friends, making memories, sharing tears & laughter. To all who made such an effort to share time, call or text me...THANK YOU. You all make my life that much better and I know we will continue it though the years no matter where we find ourselves.
In route to Chicago, with no planned return home until mid October. I will be enrolled full time in school for the entire journey. I have many stops in the next three months, but you will have to just wait and see!
Fascinating how I continue to move and store belongings, yet three months fits in three bags.
Here I goooooo!!!! Keep in touch and know I am easily accessible via Skype, text and email.
