Thursday, May 1, 2008

Last Day

Or is it? As I am all prepared to go (finally got that last suitcase packed but had to mail another box to myself), I am going to wander around my city today and enjoy a last meal at my favorite restaurant.

I was given an offer yesterday to stay here to work full time with housing provided. So late in the game, but who knows what I will think when I wake up in the morning! Maybe I will just stay, maybe I will go, or maybe I will go and come back.


If there is one thing I learned from this year, its that no matter what type of planning, hoping and maneuvering we do, you just never know whats around the corner!


Its been quite a week of saying goodbyes (at least for a little while) to my new friends here. Very emotional to get that last 'double kiss on the cheeks' Italian tradition...I managed to slip in an American hug every now and then!


I have taken the opportunity to go out late the last few nights and walk the streets after the tourists and locals are long gone. Thats the Venice I love---the stillness, the gentle fog, the lapping of the water and 'whisper' of generations past hovering. I didnt think I would be this nostalgic or this sad. It actually hurts to think of leaving. But then again, it has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember to live in Venice and, now, to wake up and see the dream ending has to be sad. I have no regrets--its was better than I ever imagined or planned for and I know I will be back.


To everyone who helped to make my year so special.....Marco, Denise, Gerry, Gabriele, Liviana, Monica, Guido, Tommy, Christiano, Elise, Ancelyne, Mimi, Ryan, Jo, Gaspare, John-Henry, Marilyn, everyone from the Pantomime, the cashier Nazi, and all the people who read my blog, who I met, and who visited me......from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

See you soon! A presto!

4 comments:

Gil said...

Thank you for this virtual vacation in Italy this past year. If you stay I'll continue to read about your travels and marvel about the pictures of places I've never been. On the other hand if your family misses you as much as we missed our daughter when she spent her Junior year in Florence I am sure you'll really be welcomed back home. Good luck in your future adventures.

Anonymous said...

Susan,
Thank you for sharing a year of your life!
We look forward to the next adventure

Rob & Natalie

Anonymous said...

Susan,
A very heartfelt thank you to you!
I have loved your writing and photos. I'm sure many others have as well. Whatever you do...and wherever you go...I wish you every good thing that you can hold, and more :)
Safe travels, Susan!

Anonymous said...

I've never read this part!!! :( thank you Susan! We miss you and hope to see you soon!
Monica and Guido