yesterday, in bologna italy, i experienced the enchanting strength only a vibrant city on a dazzling summer day can bring . . . and also a sudden and startling shift in perspective, forged even stronger following the recent coronavirus lockdown. truly a touch of bliss.
april 29 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 51):
really really missing my mom and dad right now. i want to talk to them about everything that’s going on . . . this pandemic, of course. and what it feels like to be in an actual lockdown. but especially about saying goodbye to that place we all knew and loved, that place where we lived together as a family. i still can’t believe they’re both gone, and i can’t believe the 135-year-old vergobbi homestead will soon be out of my life forever too. it all, everything, feels like a dream. the kind of dream you want to hurry and wake up from.
april 30 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 52):
WOW WOW WOW. my freedom walk is happening three days sooner than expected! the president of tuscany (our region) has announced that we can take REAL outside walks (more than 200m from home AND with a family member) beginning may 1 . . . yes, TOMORROW!
may 1 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 53):
i took my freedom walk today, 75 days after my self-isolation began . . . a two-mile trek this afternoon with eric through our village. it started raining and we were fairly drenched by the time we got home, but that was OKAY! as i told a friend, it was strange and fabulous all at the same time. nice to see (and hear) HUMANS again (other than eric ?), though not many people out and about. oh, and we made a new friend ❤️ (i even understood most of his italian!)
the italian spirit, alive and well in barbarasco
??❤️?? andrà tutto bene ??❤️??
(all pictures taken on my village walk today)
may 2 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 54):
as i quarantine in one country, my world is shifting in another. and memories keep pushing their way to the surface . . .
when my mom dropped me off at my dorm for my first year of college, she decorated my window with these two big hearts that she’d made . . . pretty sure we were both crying, as she waved goodbye and snapped this picture ??
may 3 (from my facebook post, lockdown in italy day 55 / self-isolation day 77):
just two things today:
• my mom’s favorite number was 5, mine is 7
• and i’m not doing much, but feeling very tired
