Thoughts six months into being in Italy and looking forward to the next six…

Wow! Time flies…even in a pandemic! It was exactly six months ago, October 2020, that I (finally) landed in Florence, Italy. I’ve shared about my journey getting to that day and now, pinch me, I’ve been here six months!?

Despite the COVID crap, I got here, quarantined and have been riding the wave of red-orange-yellow zones ever since. So be it. It is what it is and I’m still beyond grateful to be here and, to be honest, remaining another six months wasn’t a difficult decision. At this juncture I can’t see myself anywhere else and thanks to my generous friends here at Palazzo San Niccolo, I’m able to remain in what is no less than a perfect place.

Monday I moved across the way into another absolutely charming apartment here with dreamy garden views.

I’m loving the Oltrarno and my San Niccolo rione (neighborhood). Minutes away from everything I need, my wish to “fall out the door and be surrounded by beauty” is a reality.

Of course, who knew that “COVID” and “pandemic” would become part of our everyday vocabulary and psyche? That it would dominate our lives, literally on a world scale? Talk about “life interruptus”! And, although, there seems to be improvement/ progress in some places, it’s a slow go here in Italia…

It hasn’t been easy for the people of Italy and I hope, hope, hope that we see improvement soon so that those glimmers of hope materialize into actually “opening up”. First open to itself (after all, Italians have been heavily restricted from movement for months and months) and then, cautiously and safely to visitors and tourism.

In my opinion, the whole notion that “life will return to normal” will actually come about is pretty naive. How can it ever be what it was? Too much has happened for too long and we have been forced to see life with new eyes. “Pivot”, adapt, re-group, transition, change, rework, rethink…all of that and more. Not to mention the incredible losses so many have endured…

Some complained that “COVID” stole a year (or more!) of their lives, others made lemonade from lemons…whatever, however you view or feel about the past year, it changed you, it changed everything. And you may as well embrace change because it’s a fact of life. I like to think that it has triggered a lot of self-reflection and gratitude, Those “you don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it” lyrics most assuredly come to mind, don’t they?

Well, from where I sit, I choose gratitude. I choose positivity and hope. Does it mean I never have “moments”? Of course not, but wallowing is not an option. I came here vis-a-vis a very long and bumpy road and a few potholes aren’t going to stop me from “being here” – both personally and professionally!

I came to experience, expand, learn, immerse, and to share it with you! And that is what I have been and will continue to do – despite circumstances, together we’ll make the best of it. I don’t feel that I have the luxury of dawdling or ruminating over my fate – no time to waste, my friends! So, let’s get on with it together, shall we?

Your “Boots on the Ground in the Boot” gal is here and ready to dig into the next six months! Who knows what it will bring? Join me, won’t you? And when you’re ready to start planning, we (my amazing local travel partners/experts and Friends of Victoria) will be waiting with open arms!

Hopefully bella Italia is on your radar? Ti aspettiamo!

We are waiting for you and look forward to toasting with you here one day soon!