Where did the last six months go? Our first 'tour of duty' in Italy has flown by, and as Christmas approaches, we find ourselves preparing to head back to Britain for the festive season, armed with tasty treats and adventurous anecdotes, but craving time with familiar faces and traditions.
Looking back at the Pollyanna cascade of posts in this blog, I have to confess it hasn't all been as easy as we might've made it sound (although lets face it, who REALLY wants to read about the hard stuff, or hear us crying poor about the downside of lweekends in Tuscany or Umbria).
Nevertheless, some things ought to be acknowledged.
I am endebted to my husband for bravely following me from a place where he was comfortable and happy to a place where his days have often been quiet, even lonely, and where everything, even daily basics like buying a coffee or tobacco, catching the train or booking a haircut, have required far more effort than normal. Granted, there are benefits, and we've been able to afford things we couldnt have otherwise. But for him, working here hasn't yet proved possible and Rome's smelly, crooked chaos hasn't entirely won him over.
And yet, when I was offered contract for another 5 months (before a mandatory break after 11 months' service), he was the first to say I should take it. Now that's a brave man indeed. I count myself lucky to have won such devotion.
For both of us, Rome at Christmas doesn't quite feel like Christmas. The traditions here are still a mystery to us, and while we love the fact that Christmas decorations don't go anywhere until the first week of December, the absence of mulled wine, christmas markets and other things we've come to associate with a European Christmas, leave us feeling a little flat.
So it was with great excitement that we raided the commissary and various stores for panfortes and other gifts, packed our bags and met up on the train that connects our flat, my office and the airport, bound for Oxford and Witney and our brilliantly generous friends Anya and Simon, whose texts and details of shopping exploits over the past week have left our mouths watering. Cider, mince pies, goose for roasting...
And Christmas doesn't disappoint. From gifts of 'slipper socks' on arrival, to the dressing gowns hanging on our bedroom door, from first cider to last port, and every cheery hug and greeting in between, we have had an amazing time. It's been so good to see friends and realise that six months away is not so very long after all, and that the people who came to mean so much to us in our three years here have indeed become the sort of friends that will stand the tests of time and distance.
All too soon my four days are up and its back to Rome for me for three days, before committing a big ol greenhouse nasty and jetting back to Bristol, where Ants has relocated himself for new year's, and four days punctuated by shopping, a housewarming and lots of hugs.
After six solid months, it's just the pick me up I needed. I'm ready to go back now, and start my second tour, although I know a stack of hard work awaits. But I have an Anthony at my side, and no girl could ask for more.
Here's to a bold and bright 2010... buon anno a tutti, and may all your new years dreams come true!
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