leaving Italy

Good morning. Yawn... Let's see how much of Florence is awake at a quarter to four in the morning:

 

 

Not very much. No surprise. 

Shower, zip up suitcase, go downstairs. The hotel wanted to pack me a boxed breakfast. I passed. And even as I leave I notice the smiles of the staff, the kind gestures, the good words. Arrivederci of course means until we meet again. The question for me is not when I'll be back, but will I be back. For the first time in leaving Florence, I have to say -- I don't know. It's my second favorite European city! Normally I would say -- of course I'll be back! I always return to the places I love!

And yet...

Bee and I watched an old woman navigate the Tivoli Villa d'Este Gardens. She was pushing an oxygen supply. Walking slowly. Was she a traveler? I doubt it. I'm guessing a local, knowing how to navigate the hilly terrain. At some point, the burdens of going great distances are just too great. So how many years of travel do I have left? You can never tell when your lungs, your heart, your health in general will just put the brakes on it all and I will have had my last trip to Florence. To Europe even. Some are lucky enough to continue into the really ancient years. Others not so much.

So how many more visits to Florence do I have in me still? The great mysteries of life!

The taxi ride is super short. The driver tells me how nice it is to do it in the early hours. Later, with the rain -- he tells me -- it will be a mess! Many hand gestured went into that comment.

The Air France flight to Paris is on time, early actually, my layover there is pleasant. Clarins is accepting sign ups for free facials. I have the time for it!

 (breakfast at Paris airport)

And the flight to Detroit on Delta is good. Three movies later, including the three-hour Oppenheimer, and we're landing. And finally -- onto Madison. An early arrival there as well. Ed is waiting for me at the airport. Wow it's warm outside! We do have a super cold blast coming in tonight. (Today's high: 71F/22C. Tomorrow's high: 28F/-2C!) I feel that impending change in the air. Is it still February? Is spring nearly on the way?

All good? -- I ask.

All good. We have a new cat hanging around the barn. Otherwise quiet. Missed you.

I am home.