You may have the universe if I may have italy. — Guiseppe Verdi

The time is near.

Tim and I and our friends, Louis and Victoria (and their daughter, Ana, who probably thinks her parents and their friends are nuts),

Arrividerci, Roma and Ciao, Sulmona!

are about to depart for JFK, then Fiumicino, then hop on the Pronto bus to Torre de Passeri where we will be met by our new Italian family.

I have brought all kinds of things for the kitchen and the bathroom to make the apartment more comfortable for our future renters. They seem important now, but will probably turn out to be irrelevant. English language books and travel guides, towels, salt and pepper grinders, binoculars, cold medicines, naproxen, bandages, ear swabs, color-safe shampoo, toothpaste. Oh my God, what the hell am I doing? Buying things I can’t say in Italian, which I somehow think will be cheaper over here. I am a wreck. On the other hand, I have to do something.

Last week it was raining in #Sulmona. Over the weekend, it turned back to summer, with temps in the 80s. But being Sulmona, it could snow while we’re there. How to pack? I haven’t a clue. I’m going with what I’ve laid out on the bed, minus a few things I already took away. Tim, of course, has not thought about packing yet . . .

I will be posting our adventures on my Facebook page, so follow me if you like. I’m hoping to have a surprise every day.

 Buon viaggio a tutti!

Linda Dini Jenkins

Linda Dini Jenkins is a card-carrying Italophile, travel planner, freelance writer, and amateur photographer. Travel is her passion, so writing about her travels just comes naturally. She hopes all her travelers find a way to express their joys, surprises, and fears as they travel and gives every traveler a nifty journal to help smooth the way. Learn more…