In Nello's van, some of us are still feeling a little unsteady as a
result of last night's festivities. Still, we carry on an animated
conversation. During the breaks in the conversation, Nello provides
a running commentary on the landscape we pass. He suggests that we
stop at the Gucci outlet store. It provides a welcome break from
traveling, and we have a good time clowning around in the store.
Nello drops us off in Florence, and we lose even more of the group. Cindy, Lora, Paul, and I are staying in the same hotel(il Guelfo Fianco) and share a cab ride there. Some of the others agree to meet us for dinner that night.
When get to our hotel, we have a message waiting for us from Claire. She wants to meet us for dinner. We are very excited. I don't think any of us want this to end.
Later, an abbreviated group consisting of Cindy, Paul, Janet, Lora, Dara
and me meet Claire under the "fake David" for dinner. Claire made a
resevation at a favorite restaurant of hers. The food is wonderful,
and the company is still just as wonderful.
By the time we finish dinner, it's very late. We walk along the streets and talk. As we walk toward Piazza della Signoria, we see a group of boys playing soccer. I try to take a picture, but I can't get one to turn out because it's so dark, and they're too far away.
Cindy, Lora, and I walk back to our hotel and marvel at the buildings. At one point, we pass a restaurant and hear a wonderful tenor singing an aria from The Marriage of Figaro. I thought such things only happened in movies.
Over the next few days, people peel off one by one and leave until, alone, I board an airplane headed for home. Alone, just the way I started this trip. Alone, left with these memories to keep me company.
There was a lot more that I wanted to write about, but I've decided that those stories are better left untold on these pages for a couple of reasons.
First, there were some stories that I couldn't find the right words to tell. I wanted to keep the tone light and humorous, but I didn't want to embarrass anyone.
Second, I need to stop somewhere.
Third and foremost, I lost my hand-written journal some months back, and I'm having trouble reconstructing all the events from memory.
These pages have caused me some anguish over the last several months. I couldn't figure out how to write the last pages. After I'd promised to send off the finished pages to everyone, I felt pressure to finish this project, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I think I was reluctant to bring the project to an end because that would have meant the trip was finally over. I mean, how do you make yourself leave paradise?
So, here it is. As lame as it sounds, I'm simply going to stop writing these pages. Remembering how we (well, most of us) said our good-byes at the Poggibonsi train station, I want to reach out and touch every one of you. I love you all. Know that you will always be a part of one of my happiest memories.
As a special bonus for reading through all of my ramblings, I'll include these pages that I made for a girl at work that's always objected to my cycling attire.
| Last journal page - September 8: I Vant to be alone | Fin. |
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