Why?

Two things people say most commonly when I mention my trip. Firstly - why? Why Italy? Secondly, they comment on the fact that I am single and may meet someone. That one is easy to respond to - no way!! A man in another country when I am tied to this one with my children? Not going to happen.

But why Italy? is a better question. I suppose the roots were planted when I was a baby. We had Italian neighbours until we moved when I was 10 years old. The native tongue, the food... Nonna's aranciani were the BEST! We also learned Italian as a language in primary until we moved, so I was always able to say a few things in the language and the fascination grew from there. I feel a natural affinity with the country. Inexplainable. Maybe it is the history or the art, maybe the way the language sounds like music. It draws me to it, and this is the third time I have a booked a trip there, and the first it will actually eventuate.

The first time, my husband and I had separated and I booked a flight and ordered my passport. It was October of 2002. I lined up 12 months of nanny work, 6 months in England and 6 in Italy. The deposit on my flight was paid and it was all systems go. Then I fell sick, and couldn't seem to recover. Eventually I saw a doctor and had tests. It turned out I was pregnant. Cancel everything!!! 9 months later, my beautiful son was born. When he was 2, I tried again. A friend and I planned a short trip, and again, we paid our deposit on student fares, but I decided leaving my son at 2 years old, given his personality and attachment, was too much for him. So I cancelled it again. When the time again came to travel, I was led by my heart rather than my head and ended up in the USA twice.

Now, it is time. My dream trip. The one I have wanted for as long as I can remember, and which I have actually planned twice before, is finally coming true. I added Paris because... who doesn't love Paris? Who doesn't want to see that glamour and beauty? And it's so close, I would be mad not to at least briefly visit whilst in Europe.

Oh but how it has sparked such wanderlust. I've a list that grows all the time, of places I want to go. Just reading about Italy tells me I am not going to have anywhere near enough time to do all I want to and see all I want to. I'll need to return, there is no doubt. Some people never find travel within their reach. Some prefer other experiences or possessions. What is it that makes me want to travel so much? What is it that creates this deep down NEED in some of us?

Italia - Io vengo!!