Italia, here we come!

PhillyBoy and I have our bags packed and are ready to go! We leave tonight and won’t be back for almost two weeks.

I can’t wait. It feels like the night before the first day of school when I know I need rest but I’m too excited to relax. By this time tomorrow we will be in Rome, probably fighting over driving directions.

We have everything stacked against us in terms of driving!

1. The car we rented is standard only, which PB hasn’t driven in a few years.

2. He doesn’t speak Italian.

3. I have to be the navigator but I am HORRIBLE at it and have no sense of direction!

We’re already laughing about the fights we know we are going to have. I love married life.

The plan is to spend one night in Rome where PB will be the tour guide. He spent 6 weeks there while in law school and loved it so much. Then one night in Florence where I have already planned out all of our meals and snacks (sorry, PB!). Since we are there for such a short amount of time I have to try hard to hit up all of my old favorite spots. Then we head to Venice where we will meet up with my cousin and his wife (from here) and my cousin and his girlfriend (Italian). We will all be frolicking in Venice before we head to Trieste for the rest of our stay. Of course it is supposed to rain in Venice, but that’s my Venetian luck.

The last time I was in Venice was during Carnevale in 2004. It was a blast, except for the flood, having to carry our bags over at least 10 bridges then up 2 floors to our rooms, having our feet, underthings, hats, etc soaked all the time, and some other things I won’t mention. It was really fun seeing all the masks though I swear! And we had delicious warm wine from the street at night while we partied in the square. Anyway, if it rains again I might just have to cover myself from head to toe in plastic. I’ll be really attractive.

I’ve been looking forward to visiting nonna since the day we booked the flight. I haven’t been to Trieste in 5 years, and while Nonna has been here every year since, it just isn’t the same as visiting her on her territory. Unfortunately, nonna broke her leg last week (povera nonna!) and will be in the hospital, and I haven’t mentioned it yet because my heart hurts just to think about. Luckily, we will be there with her to bring her smiles and good cheer (and croissants and crossword puzzles.. but ssshhh don’t tell the nurses!). I can’t wait to give my nonna a big hug and a kiss and also to sneak her some treats!

I’m also looking forward to:

-cornetti (jam-filled croissants)
-pizzas
-nuts & raisins from our nut guy at Mercato Centrale in Florence
-the Diesel store where I hope to find some funky colored sneaks like the last ones I bought in Italy. (as seen here)
-showing PB where my mom grew up
-shopping (my pockets are groaning already!)
-pasta, gelato, and more cornetti!

P.S. I really think I accidentally tossed my old external hard drive. The one that had all of my photos from 2003 on. The only copy of all those photos, aside from a few I had uploaded to Shutterfly. I am devastated!
P.P.S. Check out my latest Babycenter post!