From Italia with Love!

Hard to believe that we've been in our new "home" for over 2 weeks! I look around this wonderful oasis and can't really take it all in. How in the world did we come to this place in our life! We most definitely are blessed. If you ever have the opportunity to visit this particular part of Italia you will not be disappointed. We are sitting in the central region of the country on the west coast where we are a 10 minute walk from the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea. The beach is pristine and empty! The locals are all inside because at 14 to 19 degrees it's considered very cold here. We very much enjoy that part of this wonderful paradise!! John and I aren't swimmers so it's not a big deal that the water isn't balmy and Brendan actually likes the temperature of the water, citing the colder than cold water in the lake which he frequents while at camp every summer!! 

We've yet to take in any of the big "tourist" places, choosing instead to stay close to the villa exploring local history and spending large swaths of time resting, reading, walking and enjoying the 400sq feet of villa that seems particularly large when set against the background of our 25 sq foot van which was our home on wheels for more than a month. Brendan has resumed a normal study schedule and has been diligently working to make up the time lost while travelling. He has been enjoying his runs here as it's so quiet and private, you barely see another soul while out on the streets. 

Brendan looks like a giant in our "little" space!

In the weeks to come we will be travelling to Livorno, Roma, Firenze and possibly Capri if time permits. At the end of February our van will once again become home as we make our way back up North to travel to Auschwitz, Munster, Berlin and Geneva. On our return trip we'll be back here in our lovely villa to host some friends of Brendan's for a few weeks over March Break. 

Our time here is almost at an end and while we're struggling to slow down time we are also quick to acknowledge that we all three long for home, our family, friends and our own beds!!! We will try to make our updates weekly so they are easy reads!

To coin a very old and once popular phrase;

From Italy with love;(OK it was Russia but it still works!!)

John Barb and Bren