Today is our last day here in Italy as residents. Tomorrow we begin our long journey home, which will end about 48 hours from now, in Missoula, Montana.
One of the joys of living in an unfamiliar country is the newness of it all: the differences in clothes, language, customs, and food make life vibrant and exciting while living abroad. Perhaps being forced to embrace--or at least live with--difference is reason enough to pack one's bag for a year. Still, we weren't quite expecting it all. The differences of life in Italy versus the life in America are vast, and I can say with certainly that while Italy isn't la doce vita for anyone but tourists, it is a wonderful country and we all will miss it, in different ways. What was once strange and new is now custom and expected. We became a bit Italian this year--some more, some less--but Italian Brauns. Brauni?
This year, that took so long in planning, that was so arduous and so joyful, is almost over. Our year abroad is nearly complete. While sad, I am, thankfully, ready to come home. With my new Italian shoes.
Hope to see you all soon.
XXO
Daphne
