sarge56

I really thought I had prepared myself for the emotional brick I knew would fall, the closer I got to my departure date. It was, simply, 100x worse.

Saying goodbye to my grandkids was so incredibly difficult. I tried not to cry in front of them, but broke down at the last minute. Redeemed by calling them after school yesterday, minutes before taking off for Europe.

Shortly before that phonecall, I had trouble letting go of my older DD. She has been so instrumental in helping me make this dream come true. I sobbed, she sobbed, but through the sobs, she encouraged me and told me how happy she was that I was going to get to live my dream.

Didn't help that I got stuck in a middle seat with a very large patron in the seat next to me who kept digging her elbow into my side.. and she had on 4 gallons of perfume (to which I have severe allergic reactions). I pretty much spent the 9-1/2 hour flight with a scarf over my nose.

Then, our flight out of Frankfurt to Venice was delayed. My nephew and I arrived in Venice tired, in pain (sitting on that long flight) and with his system upset from the long travel.

We pushed through it and dropped the luggage at the apartment and went for a pizza dinner. Gelato in St. Mark's Square and a beautiful ride up the Grand Canal to our apartment.

I'm feeling a little better, emotionally, but still a bit fragile. I'll give it some time.

Thanks for tagging along..

trvlgirlmq

Sarge, that is great you are finally in Italy! I must have missed the travel arrangements via Venice. When do the kitties arrive?

ekc

Congrats for making it Sarge, even if a little worse for the wear! Looking forward to reading all about your adventures!!

annhig

yes, congrats on your arrival. You've surely done the hardest part - and the gelato should help.

looking forward to reading how your adventure unfolds....

nukesafe

Topping for a good read.

schnauzer

You're there!!! Step one (in Italy) is complete, well done. What a heartache for you to leave the family, but what an amazing experience you are embarking upon. I truly admire you. Are you setting up a separate blog besides fodors that we can follow?

I look forward to hearing a lot more about your new life. Do you have plans in place yet for the family to visit? Maybe you could set up some special Fodor's "tours -days out etc" when you get settled, that is if you need company only!!!!

Keep us up to date, schnauzer

Seamus

<red>Hooray</red>!!!!
Have a gelato or six for me, per favore

Grassshopper

It would be worse if you didn't cry when you left! Now they know for sure how much you love them.

You are so brave.

Pepper_von_snoot

How I long for Venice!

How I long to see my stony turbaned Moors in the Campo dei Mori!


I love Rome, but I could never leave my family and move to Europe.

I don't know how you can do it, but good luck to you.

What neighbourhood will you be living in?

How is your Italian?

When you get lonely come here and talk to us.


I wish you success and happiness,

Thin

ekscrunchy

Wishing you all the best and will be hanging on every word if you have time to post!!!! ek

crefloors

There's not much that gelato can't cure. So glad you have someone with you, the "good-byes" are difficult but it will be fine. Life is too short not to "grab the brass ring" if you get the chance so I wish you the best and will be checking to see if you have posted your activities.

StCirq

Buona fortuna!

sarge56

Your words of encouragement really do help, friends. So, please know that they are much appreciated!

Thin- I will give your Venice a hug. (The art poster that hangs above my fireplace back in the US is of "The Moorish Chief" (Eduard Charlemont). I saw the original in Philadelphia and fell in love with it. http://www.philamuseum.org/collectio...nt/102792.html

Pooring rain today in Venice. I decided to have my DD ship my cold-weather wear later. Mistake. I did not even take one sweater and it is rather cool here. So, I will just have to put on two shirts and carry two scarves.

We're off to the Frari and St. Mark's. And nephew desires Secret Itineraries Tour, so we'll see if there is any space left today. If not, a later date.

Any Venice lovers have good ideas for rainy day activities?

Grazie, friends!

(PS Yes, blog to start soon. I promise!)

cafegoddess

Sarge,

I am so happy for you but also very jealous! I want to be in Venice, instead of working on recipes.

Please have some frito misto for me.

Sidny

Oooh, I'm looking forward to following your adventures! Saw that you mentioned volunteering at Torre Argentina in Rome...I once spent several hours there in the midst of a two month Euro trip when I needed a "fur fix", was very impressed with staff and volunteers. Enjoy Venice!

nukesafe

I found the Nautical Museum in Venice a delightful thing on a rainy day, but then I am into things nautical. The highly decorated gondolas are a sight to see. as were the one man torpedo boats the heroic Italians used so successfully against British warships.

http://www.marina.difesa.it/storiacu...e/default.aspx

bilboburgler

We are talking about an army/navy that supported Jewish extermination here when you discuss the heroic Italians... At least two of my Italian friends in the UK were smuggled out of Italy with non-Jewish names stuck to them.

bilboburgler

Still Sarge have a great adventure, and the navel museum is a good visit.

MickeyChase

Wow! What bravery! Trip of a lifetime. Soak it up!

nukesafe

Well, Bilbo, I did consider putting the work "heroic" in quotes but, for someone who previously did not really know that Italy had a naval history, I was impressed. Italy was a proud naval power in the Mediterranean for a lot of years before WW II.

Also, there is no denying the individual heroism of the suicidal chaps who rode those one man torpedo craft. I was surprised to see they had a sort of trap door at the back so the driver could bail out just before their torpedo impacted the enemy ship. Best of luck with that!