The Long Home Stretch

Today, the fates are teasing me. After a wonderful weekend relaxing in Palm Springs following a crazy busy work week in Las Vegas, I thought the days would be less stressful. Work has been incredibly busy, the databases aren't playing nice and the world of television continues to need promotion. Yet, my friend the database is not letting me do my job, which in turn turns up my stress level. Part of me wants to take some time without pay and head to Boston now and just hang out until my mom and I board our flight to Florence.

Just think, for those of you following me on this vacation, you only have to wait 14 days for the posts to get more exciting. This year, Rosemarie is much calmer than she was in the days leading up to Paris. I almost don't know what to do with her. My posts are lacking in that unique Rosemarie humor - but something tells me that there'll be plenty of snippets to come.

Old Friends And New Experiences

Today, I booked our day trip to Rome so my mom and I can meet up with my high school friend, Cinzia. It's been 29 years since I've seen her and I have no doubt that the years will melt away the second we see each other again. The two of us have no doubt done a lot of living since our days at Medford High School and we'll have the entire day to recap a generation of stories into one glorious Roman day. For sure, I want to show Rosemarie the Trevi Fountain, a place I spent many of my nights during my first visit in 1999.

As much as I sometimes think Facebook's social media has taken all the being "social" out of the world, if it weren't for its existence, Cinzia and I would never have reconnected. It's like everything else I've experienced - find what works for you and relish in life's wonder.

Can it be four weeks away?

For those of you coming along on this second journey of a lifetime with me and my mother, I hope I've whet your appetite with anticipation. Four short weeks from today (or four incredibly long weeks depending on my state of mind) I will be in Boston. The coming posts will, no doubt, be filled with pre-flight humor as Rosemarie gets ready to leave the country for the second time. For sure, I won't have us board any public transit once we land in Florence and my mother can rest assured that her beloved coffee fix will be met tenfold. We will speak the little Italian that we know and feast on the food that will no doubt bring back special memories of my grandmother as she baked and cooked with so much love so many years ago. Every step we take will remind us of where we've come from, how far we've traveled and how much there is still ahead to enjoy together.

Trenitalia

Today, I bought our train tickets to Venice. Although traveling coach to Belgium last year was just fine, this year, I decided to treat my mom to first class. My friend Barbara suggested I go though Trentitalia instead of using the U.S. reseller, RailEurope, and it saved me about a $100. Five weeks from today, I leave for Boston - but, really, who's counting?

Venice is Booked

Today, I booked our hotel for our overnight stay in Venice. Although it's not one of my favorite cities in Italy, I know my mom will love it. Just like the first time I saw Paris, I thought how much my mother would love seeing this city. We're staying at the Hotel Antica Locanda al Gambero, where my friend David and I booked a room back in 2004. Back then, he and I searched and searched the confusing streets of the city for what seemed like hours, only to discover the hotel was literally right next to Piazza San Marco.

My pre-trip to Boston is at the end of next month, and for sure, this is a lesson in patience for me. Something everyone knows I don't possess.

8 Short Weeks

Today is not only the Royal Wedding, but the two month mark until I leave to see my family. It's also the day that Kylie Minogue is performing in Boston. I can't think of a better way to celebrate the eight week time frame between now and when I leave for the east coast. I've looked at my calendar so often, I almost expect the days to shout back at me to be patient.

There's still some train tickets to buy and I have yet to book our overnight stay in Venice. In addition to our day in Rome, I have to decide when we'll go see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. That's one city I haven't been to, so it will be fun to experience it with my mom. And when it comes to Rosemarie, she's no doubt already getting nervous for the upcoming trip. I have to admit, half the fun of going away with my mother is wondering what's going on in that mind of hers.

How Fast Time Flies

The older I get, the more it seems that time flies faster than Superman on his very best day. One year ago this week, my mom and I left for Paris - and three months from today, we will be leaving for Florence. Last year's trip was the fulfillment of a dream come true for me and this year, it's just icing on the cake. A place in the world that I love with the woman I love more than anything else.

Ninety days out and she's more prepared than last year. My brother took her shopping and she has luggage. At least this year, we won't be scrambling to find her a set.

When I get to Boston, I think I may even be in for a food treat (remember, we're Italian - food is what we do). When I was a kid, my mom would always make stuffed artichokes and they were the most delicious things you have ever tasted. Steamed on top of the stove and overflowing with breadcrumbs, I would look forward to dinner more than when she made her chicken cutlets. And when we had both at the same meal, it was just heaven. Shopping yesterday, I saw the huge vegetables in the produce aisle. They made me instantly hungry and, right there in the supermarket, I was transported back to my childhood. When I mentioned them, my mom said she'd make them the night I arrive home.

It's funny how the smallest of things can remind you of your childhood - and this trip is, in a way, my mother's reward for all those meals, all those times she soothed my fears and for everything else that's just too numerous to mention. I don't mean to rush the seasons, but is it summer yet?