And We're Off (Almost)

It’s been an interesting week, trying to get laundry done during the limited hours of water supply so we can pack for our trip, but we’re down to the wire and still need to get the clothes sorted and into the luggage. I'd planned to do that this morning but then the entire morning was consumed getting registered on the national health care system. Since it runs for a calendar year you must sign up in January. To accomplish this important task I had to go up the hill to the health service office to declare my intentions, pick up a form for payment which I had to take to a particular bank, which was naturally located on the other side of town. Once I had paid the fee, I had to take the receipt back uphill to the office where a long line had formed. I barely made it through the line before they closed for the day at 11:30 a.m. Phew. One thing accomplished and it only took 3 hours.

Now to tie up a few other loose ends before our departure. Despite the not so wonderful timing (I mean, why did we choose to go to northern Ohio in January??) we’re excited about visiting our family, this marking our first time “back home” since we moved here in May, 2006. I know I’m getting old when I look at that date and muse, where did the time go? It has truly passed by so quickly.

We’re hauling back a suitcase full of goodies for family and friends – which will in turn be refilled with gifts and purchases for the trip back to Italy. We’ve already had requests from friends here (“can you bring me some peanut butter?” and this from an Italian friend, no less!) We’re heading to Rome today to spend the evening at our friends’ home; Giorgio the chef wants to make sure we’ll be well-fed before our long international flight. When they made a trip to the US in October they reported that the airline fare wasn’t edible so it was a good thing they’d packed a lot of munchies. They also entered the US with items like fruit and salami, big no-no’s that they claim ignorance to.

While I’m gone I’ll be checking in here, as I hope you will too, because I’ve invited some friends to come roost in the Piňon Tree in my absence. A couple of guest bloggers will keep things humming and keep you entertained so be sure to stop by and say hi.