Ciao from Italy! I have arrived in Tuscany, am settled in my new home at the Relais Villa Petrischio just outside of Cortona (in Farneta), making fantastic headway in my first novel.
I survived both solo plane trips with the help of some fabulous impromptu friendships made on the plane—fear is a great conversation starter!
Thank-you to all of your packing suggestions—I tried, I truly did! Sadly I did over pack (I brought along 9 pairs of shoes, and have bought yet another pair in Cortona!) and am wondering how I will already bring back the steadily accumulating shopping bags in the corner of my room…Any suggestions?
It’s been just a little over a week in my nearly month-long excursion, and it is easy to say that a piece of my heart and maybe a twinge of my soul will stay behind here when I leave.
It’s easy to feel inspired by everything that surrounds me here. The rolling hills, the brightly beating sun (it has not been less than 25 degrees since I’ve been here), the amazing vistas, the architecture, the people, and of course, incredible food…it simply does not get better than this.
The Villa and the accompanying grounds are like something out of a Jane Austen movie, and is filled with some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of crossing paths with.
Most writers crave a little slice of solitude to write, but the pure extravagance of my experience (that is simply to indulge a burning passion) will always be looked back upon with gratitude and humility.
People say life is short, but I say it’s the longest thing you will ever do. Fill it with as much adventure, new experiences, and wanderlust as you possibly can.
Until next week, buon giorno, buon pomerriggio, and buona sera!