I work in a small industry. It’s big to the outside world, but in reality, it’s quite tight knit. I consider myself to do a somewhat decent job at keeping in touch with those professionally that I admire, that have taught me how to be a better person leading by example, professionally or personally.
What is this life without the opportunity to bond with others that you respect, can learn from, share your feelings, emotions, and passions? In my opinion if all of this were removed, life would not be nearly as enjoyable. In my career, I have been fortunate to form not just professional relationships, but friendships as well.
Social media outlets such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram have opened a networking opportunity for multiple generations to stay connected as everyone traverses life’s walls and cliffs sometimes outside of the domestic US and over to ex-Pat living.
Last fall, I was able to reconnect in person with my former colleague and friend, Pam, and her husband Steve. In the many years it had been since I had last seen them, our lives had both evolved. Not only had we both moved across oceans to experience work and personal life throughout Europe; but our families had expanded.
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain
For multiple reasons, that I won’t elaborate on in this blog post, I never was able to have children of my own, (minus the dogs in my life) :). Through a few of my friends, I have experienced a glimpse into their family lives, and spent some real quality time playing Auntie to their children, and enjoying this aspect of life that I will never really own for myself. This past weekend was one of those times I was able to truly have submersion into the joy of the two children of my friends Pam and Steve. We read, goofed off, laughed, skipped, loved on dogs, I watched them be simply amazing in their flexibility with gymnastics, and exchanged many hugs.
Last week was Ascension holidays in Switzerland. Chris and I had been wanting to re-visit Tuscany as we did not feel we were able to spend enough time during our first visit last year. Learning our friends were closing this chapter on their journey in Italy, left in my heart and mind a clear quest. Even though, life was busy for all of us, we would seize the opportunity for one last visit with each other before they were 9 hours time zone difference away.
Sometimes as life goes, I was not able to leave work behind on Wednesday as scheduled, and we ended up leaving Switzerland via Snow White (the Scooby Doo Outback) two hours behind schedule. We were virgins traveling through one of the longest road tunnels in the world, the “Gotthard Road Tunnel” during a holiday.
We both had traveled it during Mother’s Day with no traffic issues. My coworker gave me advice to ensure we had snacks as the back-up could get quite intense through the tunnel and then to cross through border control. Our original plan, was we would drive four hours just south of Milan and get a decent meal and night’s sleep and then head down to Siena the next day… I learned of a cool car/train trick in case we take this trip again, but the path was set for our journey as reservations were required to take your car on a train. So we hit traffic indeed… for safety reasons several years ago where there was a fire in the tunnel, the Swiss government limits the number of cars allowed in the tunnel, so we were delayed a total of approximately 2.5 hours.
We arrived at our hotel south of Milan around midnight with some exhaustion, some delirium and frustration for needing to find the hotel parking in the deep darkness. Thursday began with sunshine and the promise of reduced stress, journey and exploration.
We made it to Siena got our things settled into Pam and Steve’s beautiful Italian home and ducked into a trattoria around 1430 for a much needed meal. Steve needed to pick his girls up from school, so we decided to adventure more around the Siena city and the Duomo di Siena. As 30 May was Ascension Day, it seemed more than fitting to explore the cathedrals and soak in the history. The rain stopped and the Tuscan skies began to clear as we walked around exploring the amazing cathedral. We waited in line for a long time for only what was labeled a panoramic viewpoint. The approach seemed odd as they were limiting the number of people who entered and then they would be escorted back. The rationale became all too apparent as we finally reached our turn. There were several single pass spiral stairwells to climb before we reached the landing which overlooked a breathtaking view of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
The last time we were in Siena, we only had a day and a half to spend, so it was quite rushed. This trip afforded me almost all of Thursday, Friday and Saturday to spend with my friends prior to them departing Italy to begin their next chapter of their adventure. Minus the rainy start of our time in Siena, we were truly treated the rest of the time with magnificent sunny weather that was not too hot. I had often heard many people speak about the hues of the city of Siena, and depending on the time of the day, sunrise, sunset, twilight, you could see the magnificent glow of the hue change from ‘raw’ to ‘burnt’. Now that I have experienced this phenomenon with my own eyes, I would best akin it to experiencing the beauty of an alpen glow. It’s no wonder there are several colors named after this city, although spelled slightly differently.
We were delighted for Steve to take us for an adventure on Friday, when we went to explore the Tuscan history of Volterra. There is a lot of history to be shared about Volterra- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volterra. The walled city in the Tuscan hills is absolutely stunning, breathtaking, insert super positive adjective.
Several life memories were made on this day, as Steve took us for a tour off the beaten path, and taking us to local artisans including a shop that we made a purchase of art and functionality. I decided to stop fighting to learn a game that I’ve only attempted a few times and that Chris really loves. So I vowed with Steve as my witness to fully commit to learning how to play chess, and we purchased a handmade alabaster board that inspires me and makes me want to learn and enjoy the game so many others have loved for years. Steve also introduced us to a Tuscan painter, Vanna Spagnolo, who was pure passion and energy, walking through her shop and speaking with her, I was overwhelmed with a special connection and happiness that comes along rarely in life. This artist, so beautifully talented was pure, connected and inspired by nature in the same way I am, but unfortunately for me, I am not artistically talented. Chris and I chose the painting together, and I look forward to hanging the Tuscan landscape in our home to brighten any day or moment.
We enjoyed good food and Tuscan wine as Italy does not ever disappoint me from a food and drink perspective.
As someone who has moved international understands fully, there are a million and one things to accomplish. Steve needed to drive to Pisa to sell one of their cars on Saturday morning. We had never seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and Pam and Steve wanted to show us their favorite sea side town. We went along for the adventure, saw all we ever needed of Pisa, for anyone questioning themselves, it’s not worth other time that you can spend elsewhere in Italy. We were happy to go because there was a need to get something accomplished, and we saw an important historical sinking building but… trust me, skip it. You can look it up online and get the picture. Visiting Catiglione della Pescaia was a lot of fun, especially watching the girls play along the water and in the sand. I do not get my energy from the ocean. I love the ocean and appreciate the power of the ocean, but it tires me out usually, the sand, the sun, the salt… but I do enjoy very much small doses of exposure to the sound of the ocean and walking along in the water.
To end this time together, we made homemade pizzas and relaxed from the long day. My next day I headed back to Switzerland, with a long day of train travel. I was happy that Chris could stay a few extra days to spend time with our friends and explore some Tuscan biking, including the Strade Bianche.
I can not thank Pam and Steve enough for being the wonderful souls they are, allowing us to be a small part of their family, and wishing them all the best in life’s next chapter!
Adventures in this thing we call Life 