Missing Italy

I called Maria last night, telling her, "I miss you! Can I come back?" and of course she said, "Yes." I will return to Italy for a month or so after my time in Strasbourg, France. I miss my safe little Cortona. I long to have Nutella gelato, drink coffee at Bar Signorelli, and eat a porchetta panino from the porchetta man and a crostone pizza at Fuflun's. I want to listen to the ladies fussing over babies at the bar, sit on my bench overlooking the Val di Chiana, and hear the lyrical sounds of Italian being spoken. I will end my journey in the place it began. I am so excited!

I was getting a bit nervous about money as I was over budget in Italy and not at all sure I could really afford to return for a month, but as soon as I began to worry about finances, I again found money...a 5 euro bill this time, lying at my feet on the cobbled street. `Have faith, Amy. The money will come.´, the Universe seems to be telling me. I must try to reach American Airlines to change my flight back to the United States for sometime in November, rather than December. Then I can book my flights to and from Florence.

At the coffee shop this morning, I chatted with a nice American couple. He is retired reservist and thus they are able to fly free on a space available basis through the military. The lady was telling me how she had taught for the Department of Defense in Germany (I believe...but I seem to have a terribly short memory these days) for a couple of years and also spent a year in Scotland and traveled all over Europe during those times. Greece and southern Portugal were her personal favorites. She warned her husband that she just might take off on an adventure like mine! I really enjoyed my conversation with this couple and loved their enthusiasm for travel and passion for Europe.

I met my landlords' daughter, Isabella, with whom I communicated while making my vacation reservation. She is just lovely; tall, curvy, feminine with warm eyes and a beautiful smile. I confess to being a bit envious! Unfortunately, she was unable to advise me on a more affordable way to call home, so I will only be able to call the boys twice a month. I called them last night and we had a nice talk. Jordan will be 18 at the end of the week and has plans to get a tattoo. I was hoping he'd go for something Celtic (my Scottish roots), but he's found a tribal design he likes. Logan is enjoying a last month of hanging out with his friend, Jeff, before Jeff moves out of state. Logan said he is not going to the city pool much lately because they no longer allow diving into the pool. I suggested the water might still feel nice on a hot summer's day.

It rained much of yesterday, and all I wanted to do was curl up with a book...which is pretty much what I did! I did take advantage of a bit of sun in the evening by taking a walk and exploring outside the city wall a little. One could almost overdose on cuteness here in Rothenburg. Everything is so fresh and clean, and there are flowers everywhere in every color of the rainbow. The streets are cobbled with brick-sized rocks and nearly every building is well cared for and neatly painted. A number of buildings are half-timbered allowing some of the structural beams to show on the exterior. A few have intricately carved and brilliantly painted wocden decorations gracing the exterior. Draft horses pulling brightly colored wagons traverse the town all day, adding their steady clip-clop to the sounds of village life, and luscious cooking smells waft from gasthaus doorways. Mmmmmm! I do believe I am about due to dine out again soon!