I'd be willing to bet that if each person on this trip were to write their account and take their own pictures it would seem as if we all took a different trip. It kind of reminds me of the movie, The Matrix. Do you choose the blue pill or the red pill? Which experience do YOU want to have?

I'm not sure if it ever really sunk in that we were in Italy. I think I've been to too many places that pretend to be Italy and so I wasn't as star-struck as I expected I would be.

Don't get me wrong- it was lovely and I experienced a lot of things that I've never experienced- but it never seemed 'real'.

I saw a REAL firefly for the first time- and even that was surreal. It didn't seem any different to me than the fake fireflies at the Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland.

It’s duly noted that I really need to learn to separate fantasy from reality.

Traveling with so many people certainly was a challenge at times. There are people who study before the trip so they know about everything before they go. Some like to just explore and discover. Some like to sit and soak in the ambiance. The bearded eye-roller and I kept saying to each other how we are even more compatible than we thought.

That's saying a lot, because we already know how compatible we are...

I also realized that I'm happy just about anywhere you put me. So many people went on and on about how happy I'd be in Italy, which almost felt as if they were saying, “lucky you- leaving this horrible place”. I didn't feel any 'happier' there than I do here, so I guess that I'm someone who 'blooms where I'm planted' and try to do my best to have a wonderful time no matter where I'm at. The Italy experience was simply a different wonderful time with different surroundings and experiences.

Please don’t misunderstand- I am very grateful that I am afforded experiences like this. Back when I was a single mom, I never would have dreamed I’d be able to go on a trip such as this. My mother-in-law gave us this trip as a gift, and there is no real way to thank someone enough for something like that. The thank-you note that I wrote seemed so trivial compared to the gift of this experience.

There is also no way we could have planned this out without our travel agent, a long-time friend of my mother-in-law and now someone that we consider our friend as well. She really did a fabulous job. If you are in need of a good travel agent, let me know and I'll 'hook you up'.

I certainly had a new appreciation for the luxuries that I take for granted back at home. Stores open 24/7 should you need one; the ability to communicate what you need and very likely the person you're talking to will understand you; being able to count on finding a bathroom that wasn't just a hole in the floor; just to name a few.

On the other hand, having a nap every day, drinking wine at lunch (see? I have my priorities straight!), seeing buildings and statues that have been standing for hundreds or thousands of years, wonderful food, and the beautiful scenery are things that I'll remember for a very long time. I’m so thankful that I had a camera to capture those memories for me.

Since this was my first trip abroad, I’ve made note of a few things I’d do differently next time I travel. Since I’m different than you are, I’m not going to share that list with you because it would do you no good. As mentioned above, everyone has their own style and I'd be willing to bet that my style is very unusual.

It reminds me of a quote in the movie, "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" (note- I didn't call this a 'film'....):

"I'm a loner, Dottie."

That about sums it up. If you've read my blog for long, you know that I like to hike alone; I like to shop alone; and now I know that I like to experience even grand and wonderful things alone. I suppose that's the introvert in me. I like being afforded the ability to become lost in my own thoughts (as crazy as they are sometimes.)

The one thing that I will share with you is something that I would do the same. That is to always travel with the bearded eye-roller. He’s a most fabulous traveling companion and I count myself very fortunate that I happen to be married to him. the bearded eye-roller , like me, likes to experience the moment and then, while relaxing later, discuss what we've each experienced.

And sometimes, it's the red pill/blue pill thing. Even though we were side-by-side, we've experienced two different trips. I think that's awfully cool.

By the end of the trip, I was very ready to be home and BER was ready for a hamburger.

So that’s what we did. Had a hamburger and went home.

…and I’m sure lived happily ever after.