YOU HAD ME AT "PALACE"

       So I’m all safe, secure, and settled into my new home. This life I’m living cannot be real; I feel like a queen. And speaking of royalty, my new “quaint” little nest is actually a Roman palace. So that’s pretty cool, I guess! It is called Palazzo Chigi Ariccia, named after the noble family, the Chigis, who ruled this quiet little valley town centuries ago. 

Yesterday, (which completely blended with Monday) was an exhausting day, but amazing none the less. We arrived in the bustling Roman airport at 8:00 am, after having traveled all through the night. We were welcomed by our new tour guide/sister/bestie, Cinzia. She’s the man, for real. After arriving at our new abode, we promptly began our personal roaming, opening every door and cabinet, snapping pictures of every marble square inch of this place, and proceeding to scream like the little school girls we are, then, of course, claim our beds. Each room has two to four beds divided into floors and lofts. I’m in the back of our loft with two other girls, in “my own little corner with my own little chair”. 

The view down the street in front of our humble abode.

After unpacking and taking a tour of the town, we went to our welcoming dinner. I mean, like, whoa. We sat at a huge family style table and had the best food, I mean BEST food I could dream of. My personal favorite, was a tortellini dish, homemade and hand wrapped noodles stuffed with smoked gouda and pears. I’ll pause while you go wipe the drool from your lips. Every curtain was drawn and every light off as we left our fantastic meal, so we quietly tip toed home; obviously kidding!-try getting twenty sleep deprived girls to softly skip through the streets; it was more like a stampede of giggles and camera flashes. As I was crawling into my bed last night, I felt the corners of my lips curve as I sat, for the first time, and allowed myself to really feel this. This, my lifetime adventure to Italy, with some of the greatest people I could ask for to be with me, the most amazing tour guides and mentors, and a breath taking backdrop to paint all of the memories on. Who am I to get all of this?! 

A group of American girls draws quite the crowd, but
we don't hate it :)

After a refreshing night’s sleep, we woke up to a packed schedule. More touring, pictures, and delicious food. Today we could do more independent travels around town.  A few of us treated ourselves at a local cafe, where we spoke “Itanglish” with the waitress. The locals are so patient with us, trying to learn their lovely language. Our new friend Luciano at the coffee shop said if we came in every day during his siesta, he would help us learn. These people really are as charming as they seem. 

Tomorrow is our first traveling day and I could not be more excited. I am the first “expert of the day” tomorrow, so this should be interesting and entertaining as my southern tongue wrestles with the rolling syllables and inflections. Wish you all could be there to witness it in person. 

So needless to say, life is so good. One of dad’s favorite quotes, by J.R.R. Tolkien says “not all who wander are lost”; amen J, amen. So salud and chin chin to wandering, discovering, growing, and even getting lost. 

Our first sunset. I've looked at this picture about a hundred times and it
still takes my breath away.